Shloka 6
Sāvitrī’s Trirātra-Vrata and Departure with Satyavān (सावित्रीव्रतनिश्चयः सहगमनं च)
स वध्यमानो गृध्रेण रामप्रियहितैषिणा । खड्गमादाय चिच्छेद भुजौ तस्य पतत्त्रिण:,श्रीरामचन्द्रजीका प्रिय एवं हित चाहनेवाले जटायुको इस प्रकार चोट करते देख रावणने तलवार लेकर उन पक्षिराजके दोनों पंख काट डाले
sa vadhyamāno gṛdhreṇa rāmapriyahitaiṣiṇā | khaḍgam ādāya ciccheda bhujau tasya patattriṇaḥ ||
As he was being struck by the vulture Jatāyu—who was devoted to Rāma and intent on Rāma’s welfare—Rāvaṇa drew his sword and cut off the wings of that bird. The episode highlights how steadfast loyalty to righteousness can invite severe retaliation, yet such self-sacrifice becomes a moral witness against adharma.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharmic loyalty: a righteous protector may suffer grievously when confronting adharma, yet such steadfastness—acting for another’s welfare without self-interest—becomes ethically exemplary and condemns wrongdoing by contrast.
Jatāyu, devoted to Rāma and seeking his good, attacks Rāvaṇa. In response, Rāvaṇa draws his sword and severs Jatāyu’s wings, disabling him.