Ram’s Meeting with Jatayu

When Lord Ram is on his way to Panchavati, he meets a gigantic vulture of great prowess. Mistaking him to be an ogre, Sri Ram and Lakshman enquire as to who he is. The vulture, however, recognises the brothers as the sons of King Dasharath, as they bear great resemblance to him. The bird then declares himself a friend of their father. Upon learning this, Sri Ram honours the great vulture and gently enquires about his name and race.At this point, the vulture goes on to narrate the entire chain of creation starting with Kardama, who is the first lord of creation. Many others follow, of whom the last one is Kashyap. The wise vulture then introduces himself as Jatayu, son of Syeni and brother of Sampati. After having so narrated, the lineage of the entire creation ending with his own descent, the ancient vulture Jatayu humbly offers his assistance to Lord Ram during his stay in the forest. He offers to protect Sita from the beasts and ogres that frequent the forest, in the absence of Sri Ram and Lakshman. Sri Ram graciously honours the bird by accepting his offer of help, for he has often heard the mention of the friendship between Jatayu and his father Dasharath.Entrusting Sita to the care of the noble Jatayu, Sri Ram proceeds to Panchavati, empowered with the support of the mighty ancient bird and Lakshman. Thus, the vulture Jatayu, who at first is mistaken as a threat, actually turns out to be a friend of the lord who later serves him until his dying hour. Rama, who is well served by the lord of eagle, Jatayu