Jatayu attacks Ravana’s chariot to rescue Sita, early18th century
Historical illustration

Jatayu attacks Ravana’s chariot to rescue Sita, early18th century

Anonymous Indian painter, early18th century · Public domain · Image source

Actual large bird faces the many-headed armed Ravana beside damaged chariot; exact named rescue episode.

Overview

Jaṭāyu first meets the forest travellers as a vulture of extraordinary size and strength. He speaks gently, identifies himself as a friend of Daśaratha and recites his genealogy, naming Sampāti as his elder brother. He offers to remain beside Sītā when the princes go hunting, and Rāma accepts him with affection and reverence.

After opposing Rāvaṇa’s abduction he lies mortally wounded. He tells Rāma that Rāvaṇa cut his wings after his strength failed and carried Sītā south. The brothers perform funeral honours for him. The selected poem presents a speaking protector and family friend with a fatal heroic encounter, not a monstrous bird allied with the abductor.

Immense vultureHuman speechGuardianshipCombat injuryFuneral honours
01

Origins & earliest records

South Asian Rāmāyaṇa narrative tradition

02

Records & interpretation

Primary-text translation directly read by identified book/canto.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    The Rámáyan of Válmíki

    Vālmīki (traditional attribution); Ralph T. H. Griffith (verse translator) · 1870

    Title page gives translation span 1870–1874. Book III XIV, pp. 245–247; LXIX, pp. 309–310. Selected historical verse witness.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

Direct primary record

The Rámáyan of Válmíki

Book III. III XIV, pp. 245–247; LXIX, pp. 309–310

Actual translated primary passages directly read. Checked HTML canto anchor. No new image bytes inspected.

Inspect the digitized plate · Source collection manifest

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Historical primary-text translationGriffith Rāmāyaṇa — Book III XIV, pp. 245–247; LXIX, pp. 309–310Research access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

Historical illustration

Jatayu attacks Ravana’s chariot to rescue Sita, early18th century

Anonymous Indian painter, early18th century · Public domain · Image source

Actual large bird faces the many-headed armed Ravana beside damaged chariot; exact named rescue episode.

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