Shloka 3.68.34
जटायुनिर्वाणसंस्कारः — Jatayu’s Final Testimony and Funeral Rites
यत्तत्प्रेतस्य मर्त्यस्य कथयन्ति द्विजातयः।।।।तत्स्वर्गगमनं तस्य पित्र्यं रामो जजाप ह।
yat tat pretasya martyasya kathayanti dvijātayaḥ |
tat svargagamanaṃ tasya pitryaṃ rāmo jajāpa ha ||
Whatever rites and mantras the twice-born prescribe for a departed mortal—those aiding passage to heaven—Rāma recited for him, as one would for one’s own father.
Rama muttered the mantras recommended by brahmins for dead mortals as one would do for his father, to help him ascend to heaven.
Dharma is reverence and filial-style responsibility extended beyond blood relations: one who upholds truth and protects the innocent deserves rites like a father.
Rāma performs the appropriate mantras for the dead, following brahminical prescription, intending Jatāyu’s auspicious passage.
Kṛtajñatā (gratitude) and humility before śāstra—Rāma follows the taught rite and elevates Jatāyu through honor.