Shloka 3.68.4
जटायुनिर्वाणसंस्कारः — Jatayu’s Final Testimony and Funeral Rites
जटायो यदि शक्नोषि वाक्यं व्याहरितुं पुनः।सीतामाख्याहि भद्रं ते वधमाख्याहि चात्मनः।।।।
kiṃ nimitto 'harat sītāṃ rāvaṇas tasya kiṃ mayā |
aparāddhaṃ tu yaṃ dṛṣṭvā rāvaṇena hṛtā priyā ||
For what reason did Rāvaṇa abduct Sītā? What offense of mine did he perceive, that my beloved was carried off by Rāvaṇa?
O Jatayu! If you are still able to speak, tell me about Sita and about how you have been struck down.
Rāma’s questioning reflects dharmic self-scrutiny: before accusing others, he asks whether any fault on his side could have occasioned harm—an ethic of responsibility and truth.
Rāma, overwhelmed by Sītā’s abduction, asks Jaṭāyu to explain why Rāvaṇa took her and whether Rāma had somehow incurred blame.
Ātma-parīkṣā (self-examination) and satya (earnest pursuit of the real cause).