Shloka 21
जटायुनिर्वाणसंस्कारः
Jatayu’s Final Testimony and Funeral Rites
अनेकवार्षिको यस्तु चिरकालसमुत्थितः।।।।सोऽयमद्य हतश्शेते कालो हि दुरतिक्रमः।
anekavārṣiko yas tu cirakālasamutthitaḥ |
so ’yam adya hataḥ śete kālo hi duratikramaḥ ||
अनेकवार्षिको यः चिरकालसमुत्थितः सः अयम् अद्य हतः शेते; कालो हि दुरतिक्रमः।
This Jatayu, who lived for long years, is lying dead now. (The dictate of) destiny is inescapable.
FAQs
Acceptance of impermanence without abandoning duty: even while acknowledging fate’s power, the righteous response is to continue acting according to dharma.
Rāma laments over Jaṭāyu’s body, reflecting on his long life and the inevitability of death governed by kāla.
Rāma’s reflective wisdom and truthfulness about mortality, alongside his continued commitment to righteous action.