A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.734

c5.734

JATĀYU, JATĀYUS. According to the Rāmāyana, a bird who was son of Vishnu’s bird Garuda, and king of the vultures. Others say he was a son of Aruna. He became an ally of Rāma’s, and he fought furiously against Rāvana to prevent the carrying away of Sītā. Rāvana overpowered him and left him mortally wounded. Rāma found him in time to hear his dying words, and to learn what had become of Sītā. Rāma and Lakshmana performed his funeral rites to “secure his soul in the enjoyments of heaven,” whither he ascended in a chariot of fire. In the Purānas he is the friend of Dasa-ratha. When that king went to the ecliptic to recover Sītā from Sani (Saturn), his carriage was consumed by a glance from the eye of the latter, but Jatāyu caught the falling king and saved him. The Pādma Purāna says Dasa-ratha assailed Saturn because of a dearth, and when he and his car were hurled from heaven, Jatāyu caught him.