Shloka 3.68.22

जटायुनिर्वाणसंस्कारः — Jatayu’s Final Testimony and Funeral Rites

Devanagari script

पश्य लक्ष्मण गृध्रोऽयमुपकारी हतश्च मे।।।।सीतामभ्यवपन्नो वै रावणेन बलीयसा।

Transliteration

paśya lakṣmaṇa gṛdhro ’yam upakārī hataś ca me |

sītām abhyavapanno vai rāvaṇena balīyasā ||

Translation

Behold, O Lakṣmaṇa—this vulture, my benefactor, has been slain by the mighty Rāvaṇa as he rushed to aid Sītā.

Context

O Lakshmana, see this Jatayu, my benefactor, killed by the powerful Ravana while he was reaching out to help Sita.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• Jaṭāyu

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma as protection: rushing to defend Sītā is presented as righteous conduct, even when the protector is weaker than the aggressor.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma identifies Jaṭāyu as the one who tried to intervene during Sītā’s abduction and was slain by Rāvaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Jaṭāyu’s protective courage and loyalty; Rāma’s gratitude and truthful recognition of Jaṭāyu’s aid.