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{{short description|Bird deity in Hinduism who appears in the Ramayana epic}}
{{short description|Ramayana character}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox deity
{{Infobox deity
| image = Ravi Varma-Ravana Sita Jathayu.jpg
| image = Jatayu Attacks Ravana to Save Sita and Shatters his Chariot - early 18th-century.jpg
| alt = Jatayu
| alt = Jatayu
| caption = [[Ravana]] cuts off Jatayu's wing while abducting [[Sita]]
| caption = A painting of Jatayu attacking [[Ravana]] to save [[Sita]] and shattering his Chariot, early 18th century
| type = Hindu
| type = Hindu
| texts = [[Ramayana]] and [[Versions of Ramayana|its other versions]]
| texts = [[Ramayana]] and [[Versions of Ramayana|its other versions]]
Line 13: Line 13:
| mother = Shyeni
| mother = Shyeni
}}
}}
In the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] epic ''[[Ramayana]]'', '''Jatayu''' ({{lang-sa|जटायुः}}, [[IAST]]: {{IAST|Jaṭāyuḥ}}) is a demi-god who has the form of a [[vulture]]. He is the younger son of [[Aruṇa]] and his wife ''Shyeni'', the brother of [[Sampati]], as well as the nephew of [[Garuda]] and an old friend of [[Dasharatha]] ([[Rama]]'s father).
'''Jatayu''' ({{langx|sa|जटायु}}, {{IAST3|Jaṭāyu}}) is a demigod in the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] epic ''[[Ramayana]]'', who has the form of a [[Indian vulture|vulture]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gopinath |first=Mohan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rFTlEAAAQBAJ&pg=PR46 |title=Tracing the Literary and Symbolic Significance of the Messenger through History |date=2023-11-20 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn=978-1-5275-5613-3 |pages=46 |language=en}}</ref> He was the younger son of [[Aruṇa]] and his wife Shyeni the brother of [[Sampati]], as well as the nephew of [[Garuda]]. He was also an old friend of King [[Dasharatha]], [[Rama]]'s father.


==Narrative in the ''Ramayana''==
==Legend==
[[File:TARA-BHAGWAN ravana kill jatayu.jpg |thumb|Ravana kills Jatayu.]]
[[File:Rama Laxmana meets jatayu on death bed.jpg|thumb|left|Rama and Lakshmana meet a dying Jatayu.]]
''[[Araṇya-Kāṇḍa]]'' of ''[[Ramayana]]'' mentions that Jatayu is the "King of Vultures"(''gidharāja'').<ref>''daśagrīvasthito dharme purāṇe satyasaṃśrayaḥ jaṭāyur nāma nāmnāhaṃ gṛdhrarājo mahābalaḥ'' — Ramayana 3.048.003</ref> According to the epic, the demon [[Ravana]] was abducting the goddess [[Sita]] 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 fell to earth. [[Rama]] and [[Lakshmana]] while searching 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.<ref name="epic">{{cite book|title=Indian Epic Values: Rāmāyaṇa and Its Impact: Proceedings of the 8th International Rāmāyaạ Conference|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EVnK3q48dL0C&pg=PA86&dq=veeraraghava+perumal+temple#q=veeraraghava%20perumal%20temple|publisher=Peeters Publishers|year=1995|last1=K.V.|first1=Raman|last2=T.|first2=Padmaja|isbn=9789068317015|ref=K.V.|page=86}}</ref><ref name=census>{{cite book|title=Temples of Tamil Nadu Kancheepuram District|publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu|year=2003|last=C.|first=Chandramouli}}</ref>
[[File:Ravi Varma-Ravana Sita Jathayu.jpg|thumb|[[Ravana]] cuts off Jatayu's wing while abducting [[Sita]], by [[Raja Ravi Varma]]]]


==Places related to Jatayu==
=== Flight towards the Sun ===
[[File:Jatayu Earth Centre.jpg|thumb|Jaṭāyū sculpture at [[Jatayu Nature Park|Jaṭāyū Nature Park]]]]
During their youth, Jatayu and his elder brother, Sampati, under a wager, flew towards [[Surya]], the solar deity. Jatayu, careless due to his youthfulness, outflew his brother, and entered the Sūryamaṇḍala, the orbit of the Sun, during noon. Due to the blazing heat of Surya, his wings started to get scorched. In a desperate bid to rescue his brother, Sampati flew ahead of him, spreading his wings wide open to shield him. As a consequence, it was Sampati who had his wings burnt, descending towards the Vindhya mountains. Incapacitated, he spent the rest of his life under the protection of a sage named Nishakara, who performed a penance in the mountains. Jatayu never met his brother again.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mani |first=Vettam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mvXsDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA351 |title=Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature |date=2015-01-01 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0597-2 |pages=351 |language=en}}</ref>
 
=== Battle against Ravana ===
The ''[[Araṇya-Kāṇḍa]]'' of the ''[[Ramayana]]'' mentions that Jatayu is the "King of Vultures"(''gṛdhrarāja'').<ref>''daśagrīvasthito dharme purāṇe satyasaṃśrayaḥ jaṭāyur nāma nāmnāhaṃ gṛdhrarājo mahābalaḥ'' — Ramayana 3.048.003</ref> According to the epic, the [[rakshasa]] [[Ravana]] was abducting the avatar of [[Lakshmi]], [[Sita]], 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 Jatayu descended upon the earth. [[Rama]] and [[Lakshmana]], while searching 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.<ref name="epic">{{cite book|title=Indian Epic Values: Rāmāyaṇa and Its Impact: Proceedings of the 8th International Rāmāyaạ Conference|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EVnK3q48dL0C&dq=veeraraghava+perumal+temple&pg=PA86|publisher=Peeters Publishers|year=1995|last1=K.V.|first1=Raman|last2=T.|first2=Padmaja|isbn=9789068317015|ref=K.V.|page=86}}</ref><ref name="census">{{cite book|title=Temples of Tamil Nadu Kancheepuram District|publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu|year=2003|last=C.|first=Chandramouli}}</ref>
 
==Veneration==
[[File:Jatayu Earth Centre.jpg|thumb|Jaṭayu sculpture at [[Jatayu Nature Park|Jaṭāyū Nature Park]]]]
*According to local [[Folklore|lore]] of Kerala, it is believed that Jatayu fell on the rocks in [[Chadayamangalam]] in the [[Kollam district]] of [[Kerala]] after his wings were clipped off by [[Ravana]]. The name "Chadayamangalam" is said to be derived from "Jatayu-mangalam".{{cn|date=June 2021}} [[Jatayu Earth's Center Nature Park]] in Chadayamangalam features a {{convert|61|m|ft}} wide statue of Jatayu, which is credited as the world's largest bird sculpture.<ref name= quint>{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/hotwire-text/kerala-tourism-to-unveil-world-s-largest-bird-sculpture |title=Kerala tourism to unveil world's largest bird sculpture |publisher=The Quint |date=23 May 2018 |access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref>
*According to local [[Folklore|lore]] of Kerala, it is believed that Jatayu fell on the rocks in [[Chadayamangalam]] in the [[Kollam district]] of [[Kerala]] after his wings were clipped off by [[Ravana]]. The name "Chadayamangalam" is said to be derived from "Jatayu-mangalam".{{cn|date=June 2021}} [[Jatayu Earth's Center Nature Park]] in Chadayamangalam features a {{convert|61|m|ft}} wide statue of Jatayu, which is credited as the world's largest bird sculpture.<ref name= quint>{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/hotwire-text/kerala-tourism-to-unveil-world-s-largest-bird-sculpture |title=Kerala tourism to unveil world's largest bird sculpture |publisher=The Quint |date=23 May 2018 |access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref>
*[[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 language|Telugu]]), hence the name for the village.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lepakshi: Where Jatayu fell |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/igatpuri-a-serene-getaway/articleshow/22038400.cms |website=Bangalore Mirror |access-date=1 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lepakshitemple.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=27 |title=Lepakshi Temple - Lepakshi:: The Treasure House of Art and Sculpture<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=3 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328103155/http://www.lepakshitemple.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=27 |archive-date=28 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[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 language|Telugu]]), hence the name for the village.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lepakshi: Where Jatayu fell |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/igatpuri-a-serene-getaway/articleshow/22038400.cms |website=Bangalore Mirror |access-date=1 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lepakshitemple.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=27 |title=Lepakshi Temple - Lepakshi:: The Treasure House of Art and Sculpture<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=3 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328103155/http://www.lepakshitemple.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=27 |archive-date=28 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[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.<ref name="epic">{{cite book|title=Indian Epic Values: Rāmāyaṇa and Its Impact: Proceedings of the 8th International Rāmāyaạ Conference|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EVnK3q48dL0C&pg=PA86&dq=veeraraghava+perumal+temple#q=veeraraghava%20perumal%20temple|publisher=Peeters Publishers|year=1995|last1=K.V.|first1=Raman|last2=T.|first2=Padmaja|isbn=9789068317015|ref=K.V.|page=86}}</ref><ref name=census>{{cite book|title=Temples of Tamil Nadu Kancheepuram District|publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu|year=2003|last=C.|first=Chandramouli}}</ref>
*[[Vijayaraghava Perumal temple]] in [[Thiruputkuzhi|Thiruputkuli]], [[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 Tirtham.<ref name="epic">{{cite book|title=Indian Epic Values: Rāmāyaṇa and Its Impact: Proceedings of the 8th International Rāmāyaạ Conference|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EVnK3q48dL0C&dq=veeraraghava+perumal+temple&pg=PA86|publisher=Peeters Publishers|year=1995|last1=K.V.|first1=Raman|last2=T.|first2=Padmaja|isbn=9789068317015|ref=K.V.|page=86}}</ref><ref name=census>{{cite book|title=Temples of Tamil Nadu Kancheepuram District|publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu|year=2003|last=C.|first=Chandramouli}}</ref>
*[[Thirupullabhoothangudi Temple]] in Pullabhoothangudi, Tamil Nadu is also claimed as the location of Jatayu's last rites.<ref name=R>{{cite book|title=An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZY2lZpy.TVA_BOK_0006115|last=R.|first=Dr. Vijayalakshmy|publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies| location=Chennai|year=2001|edition=1st|ref=R.|pages=530–1}}</ref>
*[[Thirupullabhoothangudi Temple]] in Pullabhoothangudi, Tamil Nadu is also claimed as the location of Jatayu's last rites.<ref name=R>{{cite book|title=An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZY2lZpy.TVA_BOK_0006115|last=R.|first=Dr. Vijayalakshmy|publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies| location=Chennai|year=2001|edition=1st|ref=R.|pages=530–1}}</ref>
 
*
==Depictions==
<gallery>
File:Ravana fighting with Jatayu.jpg|A painting of Ravana fighting Jatayu
File:Jatayu fights Ravana.jpg|A painting of Jatayu fighting Ravana (c.1605)
File:Ramayana Ballet - Jatayu fighting Ravana, Pentas Ramajana, p20.jpg|[[Ramayana Ballet]] - Jatayu fighting Ravana ([[Yogyakarta]], [[Indonesia]])
File:Jatayu Confronting Ravana to Save Sita.jpg|A painting of Jatayu confronting Ravana to save Sita (c.1740-50)
File:TARA-BHAGWAN ravana kill jatayu.jpg|Ravana kills Jatayu
</gallery>
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Garuda]]
* [[Garuda]]
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[[Category:Characters in the Ramayana]]
[[Category:Characters in the Ramayana]]
[[Category:Hindu legendary creatures]]
[[Category:Legendary creatures in Hindu mythology]]
[[Category:Jatayu| ]]
[[Category:Mythological birds of prey]]
[[Category:Mythological birds of prey]]

Latest revision as of 14:16, 6 February 2026


For other uses, see Jatayu (disambiguation).

Jatayu
Jatayu
A painting of Jatayu attacking Ravana to save Sita and shattering his Chariot, early 18th century
TextsRamayana and its other versions
Personal information
Parents
  • Aruna (father)
  • Shyeni (mother)
SiblingsSampati

Jatayu (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist., IAST: Jaṭāyu) is a demigod in the Hindu epic Ramayana, who has the form of a vulture.[1] He was the younger son of Aruṇa and his wife Shyeni the brother of Sampati, as well as the nephew of Garuda. He was also an old friend of King Dasharatha, Rama's father.

Legend[edit | edit source]

Rama and Lakshmana meet a dying Jatayu.
Ravana cuts off Jatayu's wing while abducting Sita, by Raja Ravi Varma

Flight towards the Sun[edit | edit source]

During their youth, Jatayu and his elder brother, Sampati, under a wager, flew towards Surya, the solar deity. Jatayu, careless due to his youthfulness, outflew his brother, and entered the Sūryamaṇḍala, the orbit of the Sun, during noon. Due to the blazing heat of Surya, his wings started to get scorched. In a desperate bid to rescue his brother, Sampati flew ahead of him, spreading his wings wide open to shield him. As a consequence, it was Sampati who had his wings burnt, descending towards the Vindhya mountains. Incapacitated, he spent the rest of his life under the protection of a sage named Nishakara, who performed a penance in the mountains. Jatayu never met his brother again.[2]

Battle against Ravana[edit | edit source]

The Araṇya-Kāṇḍa of the Ramayana mentions that Jatayu is the "King of Vultures"(gṛdhrarāja).[3] According to the epic, the rakshasa Ravana was abducting the avatar of Lakshmi, Sita, 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 Jatayu descended upon the earth. Rama and Lakshmana, while searching 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.[4][5]

Veneration[edit | edit source]

Jaṭayu sculpture at Jaṭāyū Nature Park

Depictions[edit | edit source]

  • A painting of Ravana fighting Jatayu
    A painting of Ravana fighting Jatayu
  • A painting of Jatayu fighting Ravana (c.1605)
    A painting of Jatayu fighting Ravana (c.1605)
  • Ramayana Ballet - Jatayu fighting Ravana (Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
    Ramayana Ballet - Jatayu fighting Ravana (Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
  • A painting of Jatayu confronting Ravana to save Sita (c.1740-50)
    A painting of Jatayu confronting Ravana to save Sita (c.1740-50)
  • Ravana kills Jatayu
    Ravana kills Jatayu

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Gopinath, Mohan (20 November 2023). Tracing the Literary and Symbolic Significance of the Messenger through History. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 46. ISBN 978-1-5275-5613-3.
  2. ↑ Mani, Vettam (1 January 2015). Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 351. ISBN 978-81-208-0597-2.
  3. ↑ daśagrīvasthito dharme purāṇe satyasaṃśrayaḥ jaṭāyur nāma nāmnāhaṃ gṛdhrarājo mahābalaḥ — Ramayana 3.048.003
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 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.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 C., Chandramouli (2003). Temples of Tamil Nadu Kancheepuram District. Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu.
  6. ↑ "Kerala tourism to unveil world's largest bird sculpture". The Quint. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  7. ↑ "Lepakshi: Where Jatayu fell". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  8. ↑ "Lepakshi Temple - Lepakshi:: The Treasure House of Art and Sculpture". Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  9. ↑ 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[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

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