Shloka 16
जटायुवृत्तान्तः
Jatāyu’s Testimony and Rāma’s Grief
त्वया विरहिता देवी लक्ष्मणेन च राघव।ह्रियमाणा मया दृष्टा रावणेन बलीयसा।।।।
tvayā virahitā devī lakṣmaṇena ca rāghava | hriyamāṇā mayā dṛṣṭā rāvaṇena balīyasā ||
“Wahai Rāghava, ketika dewi itu terpisah daripadamu dan juga daripada Lakṣmaṇa, aku melihat dengan mataku sendiri dia dibawa lari oleh Rāvaṇa yang perkasa.”
I have seen her snatched from you and from Lakshmana and carried off by powerful Ravana.
FAQs
Dharma is strengthened by truthful witness: accurate testimony enables righteous response and prevents wrongful blame.
Jatāyu confirms directly to Rāma that he personally saw Rāvaṇa carrying Sītā away.
Jatāyu’s reliability and courage—he stands as a truthful informant after resisting a stronger foe.