>A famous eagle, whose wings were scorched when he flew too close to the sun. He tried to rescue Sita, and he played a role in Rama’s fight against the demons. (Glossary for the Vahinis)

 

Extract taken from: (Ramayana: A Divine Drama, Actors in the Divine Play as scripted by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Vol.4)

Brothers

Sampati and Jatayu are brothers. (RKRV Part II, p. 115)

 

Jatayu, a friend of Dasharatha:

The old Eagle Chief, Jatayu was a great friend of Dasharatha accompanying him on his spatial expeditions to help the denizens of Heaven. (RKRV Part II, p. 18)

 

Becomes a friend of rama:

They (Rama, Sita andLakshmana) sought a spot where they could reside therein and soon arrived at the place known as Panchavati, which Agastya had indicated. They saw there… Jatayu. Rama related to the Eagle the sad news of the death of Dasharatha and alleviated his sense of loss and bereavement. Rama told him about himself, and spoke to him about Sita and Lakshmana, and of his other brothers. They were set on rigging up a thatched hut on the banks of the Godavari. Jatayu became a close friend, and through him they could acquire a clearer picture of the region. That night, they spent the hours under a tree in sound and refreshing sleep. (RKRV Part II, p. 18)

 

Jatayu hears the cries of Sita:

 

(Jatayu hears the cries of Sita)

 

The monarch of eagles, Jatayu, heard the plaintive cries that rose from that moving chariot. He recognised the voice as that of Sita. He realised that Sita was in the chariot of Ravana. He grieved over his age, which made him too weak to fight Ravana, the villain who was taking her away. He felt that it would be wrong not to hinder him. He knew that no act of service can be nobler than rescuing a woman from the clutches of a fellow who was kidnapping her from her lord and master. He resolved to sacrifice his life, if need be, for the holy act of saving Sita from the demonic grasp, and using all his energy and skill for that act of service.

 

 

Jatayu consoles Sita and tries to rescue her:

Circling overhead, Jatayu shouted, ‘O Sita! Have no fear, I shall destroy this cruel villain and release you. I shall place you in the Presence of Rama.’ He flew across the chariot’s path, and hit Ravana many times with his sharp beak, causing him to bleed profusely. He beat the chariot with his wings and attempted to stop it by creating a terrific wind that would retard its speed. Even while on his wings, he gave Ravana excellent advice to correct himself, before it was too late.

 

Advices Ravana:

‘Ravana! This is a step that would bring you no good. Release Sita and go safely home. Or else, like moths that fall into fire, you and your brood will be burnt in the fire of Rama’s anger. Your pride will cause your total ruin. To kidnap another’s wife is a heinous sin. Only a sinful heart will yearn for another’s wife and wander in search of her. Only base brutes, worse than dogs or foxes, will descend to such depths. You are acting like one who is so mad that he cannot pay heed to what is in store for him. Consider, is there a more barbarous crime than this? Oh! What a sin have your parents done to be claiming you as their son? Your head has turned because you reckon on your physical strength, your riches and the peoples under your control. But listen, all these will go up in flames and be reduced to ashes. Even the powers you have achieved through your austerities will be destroyed in a trice. Will you remain calm and inactive, when your wives are carried away or coveted by other Rakshasas? In fact, those who respect women, both those who are their wives and those who are not, will never invite this dread misfortune on their heads.’

 

Uttering these words of golden advice, Jatayu flew along with the speeding chariot for some distance; Sita derived great consolation listening to the words of Jatayu. She was comforted when she heard these sentiments so well expressed.

 

Jatayu battles Ravana:

Jatayu succeeded in stopping the chariot and forcing Ravana to engage in battle with him, after making Sita dismount and helping her to sit under a tree. But age took its toll. He could not fight for long. He was soon overcome. But he was able, during the fight, to pull down the crown from his head and pluck a few bunches of hair. He pecked at his body so fiercely in so many places that he was turned into a mass of bleeding flesh. Jatayu’s beak and widespread wings hurt Ravana a great deal and humbled his pride. As a last resort, Ravana drew his wheel-sword, and with its sharp edge, he cut off the wings of Jatayu, felling him helpless on the ground. Wings are as the very breath to eagles. So, he cried out in his agony the name of Rama and fell on the ground.

 

(Jatayu battles Ravana)

 

‘I fought, with no reservations, in the cause of my Master; but, my struggle was of no avail. This too is the will of Rama. Rama must have planned all this, in order to confer some benefit on the world. Or else, can Sita be taken away by force by anyone, without His will designing the act? I have now only one prayer to Him. I must hold my breath at least until I meet Him and am able to convey this news to Him. I have nothing greater to do in this life.’ So saying, he closed his eyes and was lost in prayer. Meanwhile, Ravana had placed Sita again in the chariot, and started off in great haste and with much commotion. Jatayu saw him moving past. He heard Sita crying out for help. Jatayu was sunk in anguish that he could not offer further resistance. He lay in a pool of his own tears, his heart yearning for Rama and his tongue whispering His Name.

 

‘When death draws near, when calamity is a few steps off, nature behaves in an unexpected manner to warn and teach. Things behave topsy-turvy. This Ravana too, is behaving in this manner, since his end is near, and his kith and kin are about to be wiped off the face of the earth.’ Jatayu realised this truth and lay there, keeping himself alive by his own will, awaiting the approach of Rama. (RKRV Part II, pp. 57-60)

 

Rama and Lakshmana meet the wounded Eagle:

In order to discover some clue about how Sita left or why or when or where to, Rama and Lakshmana forsook the hermitage, armed with weapons. They examined every tank and looked over every hill in the region. They could not come across any sign. While proceeding thus, they saw before them branches of trees that had been pulled asunder lying across the track. There were other evidences of a combat that had taken place like broken arrows and patches of blood. Rama drew the attention of his brother to these.

 

He said, ‘A fight seems to have taken place here,’ and looked around for information about who had engaged whom. He found an eagle of truly regal mien lying on the ground, gasping for breath, but still repeating reverentially with eyes closed the Name it adored, ‘Rama, Rama.’ The brothers walked straight to the bird and lovingly stroked its head and body. When the hand of Rama blessed it with the tender touch, the bird recovered some little strength. It opened its eyes and looked around. It saw the beautiful form of Rama that could captivate all the worlds. Suddenly it was overpowered by a flood of both joy and sorrow. The incapacitated bird could not move its limbs, nor could it turn on its side. So it crawled a little forward and raising its head, placed it at the Feet of Rama. Rama placed the head on his lap and gently fondled it into awareness and activity.

 

Jatayu said in feeble accents, ‘Lord! While the wicked Ravana—yielding to maleficent motives, forsaking justice and uprightness, casting away powers acquired by years of asceticism—by carrying away Mother Sita, in a chariot, through this forest, as a dog goes in stealth and as a fox goes cunningly, the Mother of all the Worlds, the Daughter of Janaka wailed aloud, ‘Rama,’ ‘Rama,’ covering the entire forest in gloom. I heard the wail, but did not know who it was that raised the sad cry. I flew near and discovered to my great surprise and sorrow that Mother Sita was the person in distress! I could not remain quiet. Though old and decrepit, I pronounced your Name, and derived strength thereby and courage to give him battle. I pecked at him so furiously, that his body streamed with blood all over. He placed Sita in the shade of a tree and fought ferociously.

 

He drew his wheel-weapon and slashed my wings into shambles. I could not do anything to stop his onward journey with Sita. I lay here, weeping over my defeat, and waiting for your arrival. I am most unlucky, for, though I saw Mother being taken away by that ruffian, I could not save her.’

 

Rama Praises Jatayu’s help:

Jatayu shed tears of despair, as he spoke those words. Rama too displayed great interest and anxiety, and he addressed the bird thus: ‘Oh Chief of Birds! I shall never forget your help. The good deed you have performed will give you Bliss in the next world. Do not feel sad.’ Thus saying, Rama dusted its wings with his own matted hair (Rama showed compassion to the dying eagle Jatayu, which had fought with Ravana when he was carrying Sita away to Lanka (SSS Vol.20, p. 54)), while Lakshmana hurried to bring some water to slake its thirst and refresh it. Rama poured the water drop by drop into the bird’s mouth. Jatayu was delighted at the good fortune and his face glowed with ecstasy.

 

 

Jatayu breathes his last:

Jatayu said, ‘Rama, I am luckier than even your father, for he did not have this chance of drinking water from your hands when he left this world. I could get my last sip from your golden hand! I could rest on your lap. I could drink nectar from your fingers. And while drawing my last breath, I could fill my eyes with the picture of your charming Lotus Face. I am certain I will be merging in you. Oh, I am indeed blessed.’ Then, Jatayu spoke in feeble tones: ‘Rama! That vicious demon proceeded in the southern direction. Most probably, he must have reached Lanka. Therefore, go straight to Lanka, destroy that wicked fellow and then bring the Mother to your presence.’ Jatayu could speak no more. (RKRV Part II, pp. 66-69)

 

Rama placed Jatayu’s head on His lap and poured cool water down its throat. Dasaratha did not have the good fortune of drinking water from Rama s divine hands at the time of his death. But Jatayu was fortunate enough to be the recipient of such an act of grace in his last moments. (SSS Vol.32 Part I, p. 194) Drinking water from Rama’s hand, he cried ‘Rama’ just once and drew his last breath. (RKRV Part II, p. 69) While Dasharatha did not have the good fortune of attaining Shubagati, the heavenly state, Jatayu did while resting its head in Rama’s lap. (SSB 1996, p. 46)

 

Rama performs the last rites:

Rama allowed the vital breath of Jatayu to merge in Him. He performed the obsequies to the body of the bird and took the valedictory bath. After these rituals, he moved towards the south (while dying, Jatayu told Rama to seek the help of Sugriva, who lived on Mount Matanga. Rama performed the last rites of Jatayu and started toward the Matanga Mountain. (SSB 1996, p. 47)) picturing in his mind the regions of the South and the ordeals of Sita. (RKRV Part II, pp. 66-69)

 

Rama, the redeemer of the fallen

Rama was the redeemer of the fallen---- Patitapavana. He redeemed and gave salvation to three characters in the Ramayana. They are Sabari, Guha and Jatayu. (SSS Vol.25, p. 184)

 

The third pathitha to be redeemed by Rama was Jatayu. He yearned to serve Rama and was eagerly waiting for the arrival of Rama from the day Rama entered the forest, as an ascetic. A great opportunity to serve Rama s cause presented itself to him. When he sighted Ravana carrying Sita away he fought to the bitter end to rescue Sita from Ravana. When he fell mortally wounded and succumbed to the injuries, Lord Rama performed the last rites for Jatayu, a service denied to his father Dasharatha. (SSS Vol.25, p. 185)

 

The value of gratitude

Rama expressed His deep debt of gratitude to the bird Jatayu, who gave up his life while trying to rescue Sita (SSB 1996, p. 102)

He placed the dying eagle—Jatayu—a bird, which no one will ordinarily honour—on his lap. He wiped, with his own flowing hair, the dust that had enveloped it. When it breathed its last, he performed the obsequies, even as a son does when his father dies! (Bhag Vahini)

 

The value of Love:

Pray to God with pure heart with a mind bereft of desires. Do not pray for the fulfilment of petty desires. Love God with a desireless heart. How did Sabari get the grace of Rama, who gave her liberation? How did Jatayu enjoy the privilege of dying on the lap of the Lord? (SSS Vol.31, pp. 128-129) Jatayu, a bird, and an animal like Gajendra, the Lord of the Elephants, redeemed themselves by relying on the Lord s name. (SSS Vol.22, pp. 111-112)

 

The value of Total surrender to God:

God does not want anything from you. He never insists on your doing meditation or yoga. He only wants you to fill your hearts with principles of love and sacrifice. If you obey His commands with sincerity and devotion, He will take care of all your needs without your asking. The lives of Sabari and the bird Jatayu bear ample testimony to this truth. So you do not need to ask God for anything. If you have purity of heart, He will Himself take care of you, just like a mother who attends to the needs of the child without its asking. Be like a child, and the Divine Mother will take care of you. That is total surrender. Leave everything to the Will of the Mother.

 

Do not ask, O mind, do not ask. The more you ask, the more you will be neglected. God will certainly grant you what you deserve without your asking. Did He not grant the wish of Sabari, who never asked? Did He not redeem the bird Jatayu, who never asked but sacrificed his life for His cause? (Telugu Poem) (SSS Vol.34, p. 47)

 

Do not ask for petty things lest you should lose Her proximity. The one who asks for food will be directed to the kitchen, but the mother will feed the child herself who cannot ask. Only those with ego and those immersed in worldly life ask. But the one, who surrenders himself to the Will of the Divine Mother like a child, will lead a peaceful life. (SSS Vol.32 Part II, pp. 158-159)

 

Victory can be won only with God s grace

Men should realise that without God s love, human existence is utterly valueless. A bird like Jatayu earned God s grace. (SSS Vol.25, p. 125) Rama gave moksha to the bird Jatayu, (SSB 1974 Part II, p. 104) God knows for sure when, where, and how He should bless His devotee. Divine Grace is in proportion to the meritorious deeds that one performs. (SSB 1996, p. 46)

 

Sadhu Guna:

Bhagawan said: ‘By Sadhus, I do not mean monks and ascetics, who are indicated generally by that word. It means Sadhu guna , goodness, uprightness, virtue; and these can be possessed by animals and even insects. Really speaking, the promotion of Sattva Guna (purity) is the best means of fostering Sadhus. The Avatar is the embodiment of this sacred guna and so it fosters it, wherever it is found. But since Sannyasins (ascetics, monks) are striving to earn it, they are called Sadhus and supposed to be specially blessed by the attention of the Lord.

 

‘But they are not the only Sadhus. All those who follow Sadachara (good conduct), who have Sadseela (good practices), who adhere to Satya (truth) who yearn for the Sannidhi (Presence) of Sarveshvara (the Lord), who observe Saddharma, who consider Sarvajana (all) as Samana (equal); all of them are Sadhus. Such characteristics are found among the animals and birds even. In the Ramayana, Jatayu (eagle) was saved as a result of this Guna. That is the reason why the elephant was blessed and the monkeys were given a chance to serve and be blessed with His Grace. The same reason prompted the Lord to bless the squirrel. A Sadhu is not made by a string of beads, an ochre robe and a stick in the hand. The clothes one wears and the language one has on the tongue do not decide who is a Sadhu and who is not. It is the Guna that settles it. All animals have the potentiality to be good. So fostering goodness in all is the best means of ensuring the welfare of the world. (GV, pp. 71-72)