Jatayu- Hindu CreatureCreature · Beast"King of Vultures"
Also known as: Jaṭāyu and जटायु
Titles & Epithets
Domains
Description
An aged vulture who hurled himself at the demon king Ravana to save Sita, shattering his chariot before being cut down. He lived just long enough to gasp the direction of her abductor to Rama, who wept and gave him a king's funeral.
Mythology & Lore
Lineage
Jatayu was the son of Aruna, charioteer of the sun god Surya, and a grandson of Vinata, mother of all birds. His brother was Sampati. The Ramayana tells how the two once raced each other toward the sun. Jatayu flew too close and was about to be scorched. Sampati spread his wings above his younger brother to shield him, and his own wings burned away. Sampati fell to earth, crippled. Jatayu survived. As an old friend of King Dasharatha, he had known Rama since the prince's youth.
The Battle with Ravana
When Ravana abducted Sita from the forest of Panchavati and carried her through the sky in his aerial chariot, Jatayu heard her cries. Though aged, the vulture king rose to intercept the demon. He shattered Ravana's chariot and clawed at the demon king, forcing him to fight. The battle raged in the sky, but Ravana was far stronger. He severed Jatayu's wings with his sword, and the great bird fell to earth.
Death in Rama's Arms
Rama and Lakshmana found Jatayu lying in a pool of his own blood, barely alive. With his last breath, Jatayu told Rama that Ravana had taken Sita and flown southward. Rama held the dying bird and wept, saying he had lost a father for the second time. He and Lakshmana performed funeral rites with the same honor they would have given their own father.