Aranya Kaanda
121 - Sri Rama's lament; His meeting with Jatayu
Chaupais
Description
The vulture now recovered himself and spoke as follows: "Listen, Rama, the allayer of the fear of transmigration: it was the ten-headed Ravana, my lord, who reduced me to this plight; it was the same wretch who carried off Janaka's daughter. He took Her away, holy sir, to the south while she kept screaming loudly as an osprey. I have survived, my lord, only to behold You, my life now is about to depart, O fountain of mercy." Said Sri Rama, "Live yet more, father." He, however, replied with a smile on his countenance, "He whose very name, so declare the Vedas, redeems the most depraved soul even if it appears on his lips at the moment of his death, is present before me in a visible form ! What more is wanting now, for which I should retain my body any longer?" With His eyes full of tears the Lord of Raghus replied, "Dear father, you have attained to an enviable state by virtue of your own noble deeds. Nothing is difficult of attainment in this world to those who have others' interests at heart. Casting off your body, dear father, proceed now to My divine abode. What shall I give you, when you have all your desires already accomplished ?