Jatayu's Sacrifice

Jatayu was old, but when he saw Ravan carrying Sita away, he blocked his path at once. He said, ‘Ravan, I am sixty thousand years old, but while I live I will not let you take Ram's wife. Let Sita go.’

Ravan would not listen. So Jatayu attacked him. With his beak and talons he tore Ravan's armour, broke his bow, struck down the donkeys pulling the chariot and the charioteer too. Ravan's chariot broke and crashed to the ground. Ravan leapt down holding Sita.

But Jatayu was old and grew tired from the fight. Seeing his chance, Ravan cut off Jatayu's wings with his sword. Covered in blood, Jatayu fell to the earth. Ravan flew into the sky again with Sita. On the way, Sita saw five vanaras sitting on a mountain, tied her ornaments in a cloth and dropped them down.

Meanwhile, having ended Maarich, Ram was returning. When he met Lakshman on the way, his heart trembled with dread. The hut was empty. Grieving, Ram asked the trees, rivers and deer, ‘Have you seen my Sita?’ Searching, they came upon the wounded Jatayu.

With failing breath Jatayu said, ‘Ravan has taken Sita towards the south. I tried to stop him, but could not.’ Saying this, he died in Ram's lap. Ram honoured Jatayu as a father and performed his last rites with his own hands. According to the Manas, Jatayu reached the Lord's highest abode.