Shloka 4.57.17

सम्पाति–अङ्गदसंवादः / Sampati and Angada: Genealogy, Jatayu, and the Search Vow

Devanagari script

रावणं विरथं कृत्वा स्थापयित्वा च मैथिलीम्।परिश्रान्तश्च वृद्धश्च रावणेन हतो रणे।।।।

Transliteration

rāvaṇaṃ virathaṃ kṛtvā sthāpayitvā ca maithilīm |

pariśrāntaś ca vṛddhaś ca rāvaṇena hato raṇe ||

Translation

After stripping Rāvaṇa of his chariot and setting Maithilī down, Jaṭāyu—old and exhausted—was slain by Rāvaṇa in battle.

Context

'Jatayu destroyed Ravana's aerial chariot and put Maithili in a (safe) place. But being old and exhausted, he was killed in a combat by Ravana.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Maithilī (Sītā)
• Jaṭāyu
• Battle (raṇa)

FAQs

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

Dharma as self-sacrificial protection: Jatāyu chooses righteous resistance against adharma, even knowing age and fatigue may lead to death.

What is the narrative situation?

Aṅgada summarizes Jatāyu’s intervention: he disables Rāvaṇa’s vehicle, briefly safeguards Sītā, and is ultimately killed in combat.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage anchored in duty—Jatāyu’s valor is inseparable from moral responsibility.