Chapter LXVIII: Section LXVIII

Beholding Yatayu fallen on the ground by the terrible Rakshasa, Rama spoke unto Lakshmana, having compassion for all, saying "Verily for my service this bird hath breathed its last, being killed by the Rakshasa. O Lakshmana, its voice hath been enfeebled, its vision weakened and its life, greatly exhausted, lieth in a very little proportion in its body. May good betide thee, O Yatayu; if thou art capable speaking again, do thou relate how Sita hath been carried away and thou hast been killed. Why hath Ravana taken away by stealth the worshipful Janaki? What offence did I commit by him that he hath carried away my dear one? O thou best of birds, how looked the moon-like, pleasant countenance of Sita at the time of her being carried away? What did she speak then? What is the prowess, appearance and action of that Rakshasa? Where doth he live, O reverend Sir? Pray tell me, I do ask thee." Beholding Rama, lament like one helpless, the virtuous-souled Yatayu spake in faltering accents--"Sita hath been carried away by Ravana, the lord of Rakshasas, creating a mighty illusion producing wind and showers. O darling, myself being worn out that night-ranger, having sundered my wings, fled away with Sita to the southerly direction. O Raghava, my life is about to expire, my eye-sight hath grown of mistaken perception, I see trees before me made of gold having hair resembling _Ushira_.[62] Ravana hath taken away Sita at a moment when a person regains soon his lost property. O Kakuthstha, this moment is called _Vindya_,[63] which Ravana hath not been able to perceive. (At this moment) the person who taketh away (a thing) is soon destroyed like unto a fish devouring a hook. Do not therefore entertain the least doubt about thy coming by Janaki. Destroying him at the head of the battle thou shalt soon sport with Vaidehi." Thereupon flesh and gore began to come out of the mouth of Yatayu, the king of vultures, not loosing his sense even while treading the verge of death. Thereupon the king of birds gave up his dear life uttering only.--"Ravana is the son of Vishrava and brother to Vaishravana (the lord of wealth)." Rama again and again addressed him with joined palms saying, "Do thou speak! Do thou speak." And instantly Yatayu's vital spark rose up in the sky, leaving his bodily frame. Thereupon the king of vultures fell down on the earth by stretching forth his legs, body and head on the ground. Beholding the vulture dead, of huge proportions, resembling a hill and having red eyes, Rama, aggrieved, spoke piteously unto Saumitri, saying--"Living happily, for years, in this forest of Dandaka inhabited by the Rakshasas, Yatayu hath, at last, given up his life. He lived for a long time, of an uplifted person, and hath now laid low on the earth. None can withstand the course of destiny. Observe, Lakshmana, this vulture for my benefaction, hath been killed by the powerful Ravana in his attempt to rescue Sita. For me, hath this Lord of birds, breathed his last, renouncing his large ancestral kingdom. In every status of animal creation, the heroic, the righteous and the honest, affording refuge unto all, are to be found, even amongst the birds. I do not feel so much affliction, O hero, for Sita's ravishment as I do for this vulture, who hath been killed for me. Like unto the highly famous, effulgent king Dacaratha, this King of of birds is worthy of being adored and worshipped by me. O Saumitri, do thou bring fuels; I shall produce fire therewith and burn the dead body of this king of birds who hath been killed on my account. Placing on a funeral pile, I shall cremate, O Saumitri, the dead body of this king of birds who hath been destroyed by the grim-visaged Rakshasas. Being consecrated and commanded by me, do thou, O highly powerful king of birds, attain to that excellent state of existence, which is reached by persons ever performing pious observances, by _Ahitagnis_[64] by heroes who are not afraid of entering a battle-field and by persons who confer grants of land." Saying this the virtuous-souled Rama, afflicted with sorrow, burned the body of the king of birds, placing it on the funeral pile, like unto his own kinsman. Entering the forest with Saumitri, Rama gifted with prowess, killed plump high deer and stretched forth grass and twigs for offering oblation to that bird. Taking off the flesh of those high deer and clustering it, Rama, of great renown, offered it to the vultures in that pleasant forest-land, abounding in green grass. Thereupon for his speedy arrival at the abode of celestials, Rama recited those _Mantras_ which are being uttered by the twice-born ones. Afterwards repairing to the river Gadaveri the two princes offered water unto that kingly vulture. And offering water unto him according to the prescribed rites of the _Sastras_, those two descendants of Raghu, after bathing, performed the _Udaka_[65] ceremony for that king of vultures. Having been killed in battle for an arduous but glorious work, that king of vultures, consecrated by the ascetic-like Rama, attained to an excellent state. Having performed the _Udaka_ ceremony for that best of birds and considering him in the light of a father they went away and entered the forest in quest of Sita like unto the two best of celestials--Visnu and Vasava.

[62] Andropogon muricatum--(Lat). The root of a fragrant grass. This
alludes to a terrible vision which is generally seen by a person
on the eve of death--a golden tree having hair.--T.

[63] This refers to _Jatayu's_ astrological knowledge. _Vindya_ is
derived from the root _Vid_---to gain. Thus this moment is
favourable to the loser and unfavourable to the taker. Hence
Ravana carrying away Sita at this moment shall meet with
destruction.--T.

[64] A _Brahman_ who has preserved a sacred fire kept alive perpetually
in a family, &c.,--from _ahita_--placed, _agni_--fire.--T.

[65] Presentation of water specially to the manes as a religious or
obsequal rite.--T.