Jatayu Moksha

As Ravan abducts Sita, she cries out for help in desperation to the trees, rivers and mountains. A vulture named Jatayu wakes up from his slumber on hearing her cries and rushes to investigate. Jatayu is a strong and valiant bird, but he knows the limitations of his combative skills when faced with a foe like Ravan. Nonetheless, he decides to challenge Ravan, even if his only purpose is to delay him from taking Sita away.The brave vulture tries to reason with Ravan against his evil actions. He admonishes Ravan and narrates the story of Sri Ram’s glory, highlighting his great standing and peerless prowess. He warns Ravan that by abducting Sita, he is inviting his own destruction. But his reasoning yields little effect as the deluded Ravan, overcome by lust, treats Jatayu’s words with disdain and clashes with him in a ferocious duel. The gallant bird inflicts many wounds on the demon king, swooping down and tearing out chunks of his flesh. Despite Ravan firing at the courageous Jatayu, the eagle remains undeterred and manages to break Ravan’s pearl-studded bow, smashes his chariot and knocks down his canopy. Ravan falls to the ground, slightly jaded but with anger seeping through his veins. He draws his sword and with mighty swings, slices off Jatayu’s wings and feet. Ravan, happy with his swordsmanship, seizes Sita again and makes good his escape, leaving Jatayu lying in a pool of blood, with the little that remains of his body.Jatayu holds on to his life until he is able to pass on the message of Sita’s abduction to Lord Ram. Once Sri Ram finds him, Jatayu narrates all that has happened and dies in Sri Ram’s presence. Sri Ram is appreciative of his efforts but dejected at the loss of his friend. He cremates the great bird and continues with his search.In the fight for a noble cause, truth must triumph. Even if the sacrifice is high and the results are seen only later, being an instrument in serving a righteous cause is important. Jatayu teaches us that might is not right but being right is indeed might. When we are faced with a situation in which there is a clash between dharma and adharma, staying neutral equates to supporting adharma. The wise Jatayu knew this and acted in line with dharma.