Word

Jatayu

Sanskrit

जटायु

IAST

jaṭāyu

In General

A giant bird and brother of Sampati. Jatayu is first to inform Sri Rama about Sita being abducted by Ravana.

Purana

When Rama and Lakshmana was away Ravana approached Sita as a sanyasin and took her to his Pushpaka vimana. Jatayu saw the incidence and flew behind the Vimana. He fought with Ravana to free Sita, but was injured by Ravana and fell down. While Rama and Lakshmana were searching the forest to find Sita they saw Jatayu lying in the forest, his wings cut. Jatayu gave Rama all details about the unfortunate happening and then gave up his body and ascended to Vaikuntha.