The lament of Sita, fraught with caution against confronting the mighty demon Ravana, echoed through the air, reaching the ears of the noble Jatayu. Observant and keen, he discerned the menacing chariot of Ravana and the wailing Sita, who, in the presence of the fearsome demon, appeared as helpless as an infant. Resolute, Jatayu summoned his wisdom, experience, and the noble legacy of his lineage to confront the formidable foe. He understood that immediate action was imperative, for there was no time to dispatch a message to Rama. Being the illustrious son of Aruna and Shyeni, Jatayu knew his strength was formidable, and thus he resolved to act without delay.
Jatayu’s towering form and immense power stirred within him a sense of duty and an unwavering commitment to his friend, the late King Dasaratha. With a thunderous voice resonant with ancient virtues and cosmic order, he addressed Ravana, emphasizing the consequences of violating universal laws.
“O Ravana! I am Jatayu, a guardian of the ancient values, ever in pursuit of Truth, dwelling in this forest. The son of Dasaratha, Rama, is the sovereign of the universe, a king akin to Indra, devoted to the welfare of all realms. Behold, the virtuous woman upon your chariot is Sita, the devoted consort of Rama. What righteous king would dare lay hands upon another’s wife? It is the sovereign’s primary duty to protect women, not to violate them.”
Jatayu’s voice thundered, “Abandon your impure desires, Ravana. As you safeguard your own women from dishonor, apply the same principle to all women across the realms. You, crowned with virtues by the gods, are expected to lead by example. Yet here you are, defiling the sanctity of dharma with your transgressions. A king’s moral lapse becomes a curse upon his lineage.”
“O King of Demons, your sinful thoughts betray you. You ascend to wealth you do not deserve, as a sinner boards a divine chariot to heaven. The intrinsic nature of a being cannot be altered; wickedness will never breed virtue. Rama, a paragon of principles, has inflicted no harm upon you or your kingdom. Why, then, do you seek to torment him by stealing his beloved?”
Jatayu, invoking the power of ancient scriptures, commanded, “Release Sita, or face ruin. She is no ordinary woman but a force capable of reducing you and your city to ashes, as Indra vanquished Vritra. You embrace a serpent with deadly fangs, unaware that Sita is your inescapable fate, the very noose of Death’s emissary.”
The venerable bird continued, “Every being must bear only what it can sustain, lest it be crushed under its weight. Wisdom dictates that one should not overreach. Ravana, your actions disgrace your kingship. I have lived for sixty thousand years, my life extended by the virtue of my lineage. Despite my age and lack of arms, my resolve to protect Sita empowers me against you.”
Jatayu invoked the immutable truths of the Vedas, asserting that Sita’s fate was entwined with Rama’s, beyond the reach of Ravana’s vile ambitions. “If your conscience rebels against these sacred principles, prepare for battle, for I shall not allow you to depart with Sita. You will fall, joining your kin, Khara, in the abyss.”
With the strength of righteousness, Jatayu challenged Ravana, invoking the justice of the Vedic order. “You have waged wars with gods and demons alike, yet now you face the wrath of Rama, a protector of dharma. This is not a mere battle, but the punishment ordained for your sins.”
Even as Jatayu hoped for the arrival of Rama and Lakshmana, he prepared for the imminent struggle, his conviction unshaken. He sought to delay the demon, invoking the cosmic balance and the destined order of the universe. Thus, the clash between virtue and vice unfolded, its outcome awaited in the grand design of fate.