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 ||
എന്റെ പിതാവിന്റെ സുഹൃത്തായ വയോധിക ഗൃധ്രരാജൻ—ജരാധീനൻ—എന്റെ ഭാഗ്യവിപര്യയത്താൽ ഭൂമിയിൽ വധിക്കപ്പെട്ട് കിടക്കുന്നു.
This aged king of birds is my father's friend. To my ill-luck, he is struck down and is lying on the ground.
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.