Shloka 3.68.25
जटायुनिर्वाणसंस्कारः — Jatayu’s Final Testimony and Funeral Rites
सीताहरणजं दुःखं न मे सौम्य तथाविधम्।।।।यथा विनाशे गृध्रस्य मत्कृते च परन्तप।
sītāharaṇajaṃ duḥkhaṃ na me saumya tathāvidham |
yathā vināśe gṛdhrasya matkṛte ca parantapa ||
O gentle one—O scorcher of foes—the grief born of Sītā’s abduction does not pierce me as does this: the ruin of this vulture, and that too for my sake.
O scorcher of enemies, O handsome Lakshmana! the grief I experience due to Jatayu's death on my account is more intense than Sita's abduction.
Kṛtajñatā (gratitude) as dharma: Rāma’s pain intensifies because a benefactor suffered for him, teaching that moral sensitivity to others’ sacrifices is essential.
Rāma compares two griefs—Sītā’s abduction and Jaṭāyu’s death—and expresses that the latter feels more unbearable because it happened on his account.
Rāma’s deep gratitude and empathy—he values the protector’s sacrifice profoundly.