During the exile at Panchavati, when Ravana deceitfully abducted Mother Sita and carried her through the sky, her cries echoed through the forest.
Jatayu, king of the vultures and a friend of King Dasharatha, had grown old. Still, when he heard her cry he did not stay silent, and challenged Ravana to stop him.
Jatayu attacked Ravana with his beak and claws and damaged his chariot, but Ravana was stronger. He cut off Jatayu’s wings with his sword and Jatayu fell wounded to the ground.
When Ram and Lakshmana went searching for Sita, they found the wounded Jatayu. Jatayu told them that Ravana had gone south, and gave up his life.
Shri Ram honoured him like a father and performed his last rites with his own hands.