Jatayus first tries by reasoning to lead Ravana to restore Sita to her home, and warned him that death would result from his act of violence. When, however,

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JATAYUS.

neither advice nor threats availed, he prepared to fight.

"With clash and din and furious blows
Of murderous battle met the foes:
* * * *

[paragraph continues] Then fierce the dreadful combat raged,
As fiend and bird in war engaged,
As if two winged mountains sped
To dire encounter overhead." [**]

Jatayus succeeded in breaking Ravana's bow, but--

"A second bow soon armed his hand,
Whence pointed arrows swift and true
In hundreds, yea, in thousands flew." [*+]

The giant's arrows wounded the vulture; the vulture in return threw darts which injured Ravana, struck the steeds of the chariot, and broke the chariot itself; whilst with his beak and claws he tore the coachman to pieces. Ravana descended from his chariot and fought on foot; but gradually the strength of Jatayus, who was weak with age, gave way. Ravana, therefore, re-ascends the chariot, and is about to fly through the air, when the vulture a second time intercepts his flight, and--

"Swooped down upon the giant's back:
Down to the bone the talons went;
With many a wound the flesh was rent." [*++]

Jatayus was able to tear off the ten left arms of Ravana, but unfortunately others grew to replace them. At length Ravana seizes his sword, and, after giving the vulture a mortal blow, hurries off with Sita to Lanka.

When Rama and Lakshman commence their search for Sita, they come upon the dying bird, and, seeing the marks of blood upon him, at first think that he has been guilty of carrying off the lady; but, after hearing from him the story of Ravana's visit and flight, they watch the bird expire, and perform his funeral rites.

In their search, reaching the seashore, but still ignorant

of Sita's whereabouts, some of their monkey followers see an immense vulture, weak with age, who, hearing them mention Jatayus' name, inquires of his welfare. When told that he had been slain by Ravana, the vulture informs them that this victim of the giant was no other than his own brother; and in revenge assists them, by informing them where Ravana and Sita were at that moment. He told them that he had Garuda's power to see immense distances, and, mounting into the sky, saw Lanka, and told the Vanar chiefs that the object of their search was there. Hearing this, Hanuman was despatched to communicate with Sita, and to assure her of Rama's coming to rescue her.

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THE LOTUS.

Footnotes

^449:* "Vishnu Purana," p. 119.

^451:* Moor's "Hindu Pantheon," 341.

^451:+ Ward, ii. 200.

^451:++ Ibid., ii. 201.