Jatayu

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For other uses, see Jatayu (disambiguation).

Jatayu
Jatayu
Ravana cuts off Jatayu's wing while abducting Sita
TextsRamayana and its other versions
Personal information
Parents
  • Aruna (father)
  • Shyeni (mother)
SiblingsSampati

In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Jatayu (Sanskrit: जटायुः, IAST: Jaṭāyuḥ) is a demi-god who has the form of a vulture or eagle. He is the younger son of Aruṇa and his wife Shyeni, as well as the brother of Sampati and an old friend of Dasharatha (Rama's father).

Narrative in the Ramayana[]

Ravana kills Jatayu.

Araṇya-Kāṇḍa of Ramayana mentions that Jatayu is the "King of Vultures"(gṛdhrarāja).[1] According to the epic, the demon Ravana was abducting the goddess Sita to Lanka when Jatayu tried to rescue her. Jatayu fought valiantly with Ravana, but as Jatayu was very old Ravana soon defeated him, clipping his wings, and Jayatu falls down to earth. Rama and Lakshmana while on the search for Sita, chanced upon the stricken and dying Jatayu, who informed them of the battle with Ravana and told them that Ravana had headed South. Jatayu then died of his wounds and Rama performed his final funeral rites.[2][3]

Places related to Jatayu[]

Jaṭāyū sculpture at Jaṭāyū Nature Park
  • According to local lore of Kerala, it is believed that Jatayu fell on the rocks in Chadayamangalam in Kollam district of Kerala after his wings were clipped off by Ravana. The name "Chadayamangalam" is said to be derived from "Jatayu-mangalam".[citation needed] Jatayu Earth's Center Nature Park in Chadayamangalam features a 61 metres (200 ft) wide statue of Jatayu, which is credited as the world's largest bird sculpture.[4]
  • Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh is also attributed as the place where Jatayu fell after being wounded by Ravana. Rama is said to have commanded the bird to rise, saying Le Pakshi (literally: "Get up, Bird" in Telugu), hence the name for the village.[5][6]
  • Vijayaraghava Perumal temple in Thiruputkuzhi, Tamil Nadu is associated with Jatayu because the presiding deity, Vijayaraghava Perumal (a form of Rama), is believed to have performed the last rites of Jataya at this place. The water body where Jatayu fell is called Jatayu Theertham.[2][3]
  • Thirupullabhoothangudi Temple in Pullabhoothangudi, Tamil Nadu is also claimed as the location of Jataya's last rites.[7]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ daśagrīvasthito dharme purāṇe satyasaṃśrayaḥ jaṭāyur nāma nāmnāhaṃ gṛdhrarājo mahābalaḥ — Ramayana 3.048.003
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b K.V., Raman; T., Padmaja (1995). Indian Epic Values: Rāmāyaṇa and Its Impact: Proceedings of the 8th International Rāmāyaạ Conference. Peeters Publishers. p. 86. ISBN 9789068317015.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b C., Chandramouli (2003). Temples of Tamil Nadu Kancheepuram District. Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu.
  4. ^ "Kerala tourism to unveil world's largest bird sculpture". The Quint. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  5. ^ "Lepakshi: Where Jatayu fell". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Lepakshi Temple - Lepakshi:: The Treasure House of Art and Sculpture". Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  7. ^ R., Dr. Vijayalakshmy (2001). An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam (1st ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies. pp. 530–1.

Bibliography[]

  • Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola
  • Ramayana (ISBN 0-89744-930-4) by C. Rajagopalachari

External links[]

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