Jatayu Keeps One Breath for Rama and Then Asks to Depart
Aranya Kanda, Chaupai 29
Doha 31 · Movement 1 of 2
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Steadying himself, Jatayu tells Rama that the ten headed Ravana carried Janaka's daughter toward the south while she cried like a curlew. The bird has kept his life only for Rama's sight. Now that the Lord stands before him, he asks the treasury of compassion for permission to leave. Rama calls him father and asks him to preserve the body, but Jatayu answers with a smile.
The Vedas proclaim that even the lowest being is liberated when Rama's name comes to the mouth at death. That very Rama now stands within Jatayu's sight. Why should he continue to hold the body when the name, the form, and the Lord himself are present together? The dying bird has no distant heaven to imagine. His eyes already rest upon the one whom final remembrance seeks.
Tears fill Rama's eyes. He tells Jatayu that his own noble deed has won this destiny, for nothing in the world is difficult to attain for those whose hearts live for the good of others. Rama grants him leave to abandon the body and enter his own abode. What further gift can the Lord offer one who has become complete in desire before him?
Jatayu guarded one last breath for Rama, then spends it beneath the Lord's tear-filled gaze.
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तब कह गीध बचन धरि धीरा । सुनहु राम भंजन भव भीरा।। नाथ दसानन यह गति कीन्ही। तेहि खल जनकसुता हरि लीन्ही।। लै दच्छिन दिसि गयउ गोसाई। बिलपति अति कुररी की नाई।। दरस लागी प्रभु राखेंउँ प्राना। चलन चहत अब कृपानिधाना।। राम कहा तनु राखहु ताता। मुख मुसकाइ कही तेहिं बाता।। जा कर नाम मरत मुख आवा। अधमउ मुकुत होई श्रुति गावा।। सो मम लोचन गोचर आगें। राखौं देह नाथ केहि खाँगें।। जल भरि नयन कहहिं रघुराई। तात कर्म निज ते गतिं पाई।। परहित बस जिन्ह के मन माहीं। तिन्ह कहुँ जग दुर्लभ कछु नाहीं।। तनु तजि तात जाहु मम धामा। देउँ काह तुम्ह पूरनकामा।।
Then the vulture spoke with steadfast dhairya, saying, 'Listen, O Rama, bhanjana of all worldly fear. O Natha, the Dasanana has done this deed. That wicked one has carried away Janaka's daughter. Taking her toward the southern direction he went, O Gosai, while she wailed like a kuraree. I kept my prana only for Your darshana, O Kripaanidhana. Now I wish to depart. Rama said, 'Keep this body, dear Taat.' But Jatayu replied with a gentle smile. He whose name, coming to the lips at the hour of death, liberates even the lowest, so the Shruti sings. That very One stands before my eyes, O Natha. For what reason should I hold on to this deha? With eyes brimming with tears, Raghurai said, 'Taat, each soul attains its gati through its own karma. Those in whose hearts dwells only the welfare of others, for them nothing in this jagat is unattainable. Leave this body, dear Taat, and go to My own dhama. What can I give you who are already Puranakama?'