Flying High in Devotional Service - Part 3

Date: 2020-05-31 Author: Narahari Krishna das

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev.

We saw the background of Jatayu and how he met Lord Rama on the Lord's enroute to Panchavati. We will continue to meditate on their interaction as follows.

2. Jatayu's affection for Dasaratha: In Kamba Ramayana (a retelling of Valmiki Ramayana in Tamil Language) it is explained that Jatayu in turn asked Lord Rama, His purpose of visit to the forest and the well-being of King Dasaratha. Lord Rama asked Lakshmana to explain all that happened. When Jatayu heard that Lord Rama was banished to the forest because of political intrigue by Kaikeyi and also King Dasaratha left his body, Jatayu fell unconscious. Lord Rama and Lakshmana shed tears and when those tears fell on his eyes like a shower, Jatayu regained consciousness. He then started crying loudly remembering his close friendship with Dasaratha. When Dasaratha fought against Sambarasura (a great demon), Jatayu protected Dasaratha using his big wings and in that incident both of them became close friends and their friendship continued ever since. During that war, Dasaratha told Jatayu, "I am the body and you are the soul, my life." Now Jatayu recollected all that and cried, "Yamaraj has acted out of ignorance by taking Dasaratha away. He is supposed to leave the body and take the soul. But he has left me (the soul) and taken away Dasaratha(body)." And Jatayu wanted to jump in fire and leave his body due to the grief of losing Dasaratha. However Lord Rama consoled him and said, " I am already in distress after losing my father. I don’t want to lose you also who are like my father”. Only then Jatayu was pacified. He then guided Rama, Lakshmana and Sita to Panchavati, leaving the rulership of the eagle community in Chitrakoota.

3. Jatayu's desire to take care of Mother Sita: Then on the way to Panchavati, Jatayu expressed his desire to take care of Sita, to Lord Rama [Ramayana 3.14.34].

so 'haṃ vāsasahāyas te bhaviṣyāmi yadīcchasi sītāṃ ca tāta rakṣiṣye tvayi yāte salakṣmaṇe

"My dear boy, this impassable forest is a filled with predators and demons. At Your wish I can be guardian at Your residence. I can take care of Sita when You and Lakshmana go out."

Lord Rama happily accepted the request of Jatayu. And Jatayu kept this word (to protect Mother Sita), till his last breath and sacrificed his life for the protection of Mother Sita.

4. Lord Rama's affection for Jatayu: Lord Rama was happy to hear about Jatayu's friendship with Dasaratha, revealed His love for Jatayu by hugging him and considered him like his father. The Lord felt as if His lost father Dasaratha has come back in the form of Jatayu. So Lord Rama considered Jatayu like His father [Ramayana 3.14.35].

jaṭāyuṣaṃ tu pratipūjya rāghavo mudā pariṣvajya ca saṃnato 'bhavat pitur hi śuśrāva sakhitvam ātmavāñ jaṭāyuṣā saṃkathitaṃ punaḥ punaḥ

"Raghava revered Jatayu in His turn by gladly hugging and stood by him with his head bent, and the kind- natured Lord Rama very much regarded the friendship of His father with Jatayu that is repeatedly said by Jatayu ."

Then in Panchavati, Lord Rama lived very happily for around 10 years in the company of Mother Sita and Lakshmana. And Jatayu was fortunate to get frequent association of Lord Rama during this period in Panchavati.

We will continue to meditate further in the subsequent offerings, Rama willing.

Thank you very much. Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev, Narahari Krishna das Chennai.