Shloka 27
जटायुवृत्तान्तः
Jatāyu’s Testimony and Rāma’s Grief
अयं पितृवयस्यो मे गृध्रराजो जरान्वितः।शेते विनिहतो भूमौ मम भाग्यविपर्ययात्।।।।
ayaṃ pitṛvayasyo me gṛdhrarājo jarānvitaḥ |
śete vinihato bhūmau mama bhāgyaviparyayāt ||
ನನ್ನ ತಂದೆಯ ಮಿತ್ರನಾದ ವೃದ್ಧ ಗೃಧ್ರರಾಜನು—ಜರೆಯಿಂದ ಕೂಡಿದವನು—ನನ್ನ ದುರ್ದೈವದ ವಿಪರ್ಯಾಸದಿಂದ ಭೂಮಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹತನಾಗಿ ಬಿದ್ದಿದ್ದಾನೆ.
This aged king of birds is my father's friend. To my ill-luck, he is struck down and is lying on the ground.
FAQs
Dharma stresses honoring elders and allies: Rāma recognizes Jatāyu’s relational and moral status (father’s friend) and treats his death as a grave, meaningful loss.
Rāma identifies the fallen Jatāyu to Lakṣmaṇa, emphasizing Jatāyu’s age and his bond with Rāma’s father.
Respect for elders (guru-vṛddha-sammāna) and gratitude toward those who uphold dharma even at personal cost.