Happy Onam!
There is a famous Jataayu Park in Kerala. Today's reading showcases the greatness of Jataayu!
August 21 - Sargas 50 and 51 of Aranya Kanda.
The ancient bird Jataayu stops Ravana and speaks words of wisdom about how it is unrighteous to abduct Sita. Then he warns Ravana that his actions will invite the most severe response from Sri Rama and bring about the end of Ravana and his rakshasa clan.
Ravana is provoked by these words to launch an attack on Jataayu. Jataayu fiercely responds and a mighty battle ensues. Finally, Ravana manages to cut off Jataayu's wings and feet.
***
दशग्रीव स्थितो धर्मे पुराणे सत्यसंश्रयः ।
जटायुर्वाम नाम्नाहं गृध्रराजो महाबलः ॥
तस्यैषा लोकनाथस्य धर्मपत्नी यशस्विनी ।
सीता नाम वरारोहा यां त्वं हर्तुमिहेच्छसि ॥
निवर्तय मतीं नीचां परदाराभिमर्शनात् ।
न तत्समाचरेद्वीरो यत्परोऽस्य विगर्हयेत् ॥
"Oh ten-headed Ravana, I am that ancient bird established for long in Dharma. My name is Jataayu, the king of eagles and I am known for my might.
"This lady whom you are trying to carry off is the beautiful and well-known virtuous lady, Sita, wife of the lord of the world, Sri Rama.
"Give up this unbecoming and mean thought of stealing someone else's wife. How can one even stoop to such an act when everyone condemns such acts as most unrighteous?"
Jataayu goes on to explain how a king must place righteousness paramount and control his lustful desires. The king has to be a role model. Ravana has already a reputation for sin since he has stolen Kubera's chariot and also his kingdom. But Ravana should realize that ill-gotten wealth only brings ruin quickly. Rama has not wronged Ravana in any way. Shurpanakha provoked Khara to attack Rama and as a result, that entire army was destroyed by Rama.
Ravana is biting more than he can chew. Sri Rama clad in bark garments single-handedly killed Khara and his entire army. His wrath will destroy Ravana. Ravana is drinking poison thinking it will quench his thirst.
If Ravana is so brave, let him wait for the two brothers to come back and face them in a battle. Even if Ravana is a coward and wants to get away, Jataayu will challenge Ravana to a battle. Despite being an old bird without weapons, Jataayu is not deterred by Ravana's mighty weapons in his twenty hands.
***
Ravana finds this advice unsavoury. He attacks Jataayu with all his might. He showers deadly arrows on Jataayu. Jataayu does not care for those arrows but repeatedly attacks Ravana with his talons and sharp beak. His wings thrash Ravana. Jataayu hurts Ravana badly even as Ravana's arrows piece Jataayu. Jataayu attacks Ravana's back and claws out his flesh and hair in many places. His beak wounds Ravana in several places.
As Ravana tries to attack Jataayu, Jataayu destroys Ravana's bows.
Jataayu, shouting more warnings, attacks Ravana's chariot, his horses, his charioteer, and destroys all of them.
Ravana is stranded on the ground. Ravana rushes and attacks Jataayu with all his limbs. He lifts Sita with his left arm and flies into the air with his sword. Jataayu manages to tear Ravana's limbs away with his sharp beak. Ravana's arms sprout back magically like snakes emerging from their hole.
In terrific rage, Ravana then deals some deadly blows with his sword. He manages to cut off Jataayu's wings, shoulders, and feet. Jataayu falls to the ground, drenched in blood, and breathing with difficulty.
Sita rushes to Jataayu, wailing.
ततस्तु तं पत्ररथं महीतले
निपातितं रावणवेगमर्दितम् ।
पुनश्च संगृह्य शशिप्रभानना
रुरोद सीता जनकात्मजा तदा ॥
"Then Sita, daughter of Janaka, with her moon-like lustrous face, wept uncontrollably as she clasped repeatedly to her bosom the mighty winged Jataayu, now felled to the ground by the mortal blows of Ravana."
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
