Shloka 4.57.18
सम्पाति–अङ्गदसंवादः / Sampati and Angada: Genealogy, Jatayu, and the Search Vow
एवं गृध्रो हतस्तेन रावणेन बलीयसा।संस्कृतश्चापि रामेण गतश्च गतिमुत्तमाम्।।।।
evaṃ gṛdhro hatas tena rāvaṇena balīyasā | saṃskṛtaś cāpi rāmeṇa gataś ca gatim uttamām ||
Thus that vulture was slain by the mightier Rāvaṇa; and having been duly cremated by Rāma with the proper rites, he attained the highest state.
'Thus the vulture was slain by Ravana who was stronger. Cremated by Rama and his last rites performed, he reached the supreme heavenly abode. (It was the luck of Jatayu, unlike Dasaratha, to be cremated by Rama.)
Dharma is shown as honoring the dead through proper last rites (antyeṣṭi). Rāma’s performance of rites for Jatāyu reflects gratitude and righteousness toward one who upheld dharma by resisting adharma.
Angada recounts to Sampāti that Jatāyu fought Rāvaṇa, was killed, and afterward received funeral rites from Rāma, leading to a blessed end.
Rāma’s virtue of dharmic responsibility and gratitude—repaying service and honoring a fallen ally with proper rites.