‘Ah, Raghunatha,’ she wailed, ‘peerless champion of the world! For what fault of mine have you forgotten to be kind to me? Ah, reliever of distress and delighter of the suppliant! Ah, the sun that gladdens the lotus race of Raghu!

Ah, Lakshmana, it was no fault of yours! I have reaped the fruit of the temper I showed!’ Many were the lamentations that Sita uttered. ‘Though his mercies towards me have no limits, my affectionate and loving lord is far away.

Who will tell my lord of my misfortune? That an ass should desire to devour the oblation offered to the gods!’ When they heard Sita’s grievous lament, all created beings, moving and unmoving, were distressed.

Jatayu (the king of the vulture) heard the piteous cry and recognized her for the wife of the glory of the house of Raghu. He saw that the vile demon was carrying her away like a dun cow that had fallen into the hands of some savage.

Fear not, Sita, my daughter,’ he said; ‘I will slay this monster.’ The bird darted off in its fury like a thunderbolt hurled upon a mountain.

‘You villain!’ he cried, bidding defiance to Ravana; ‘won’t you stop? How dare you go on thus as if you have not yet known me!’ When he saw the vulture bearing down upon him like Death,the Ten-headed monster turned and reflected,

Is this Mainaka or Garuda, the king of the birds, who knows my might, as also his master (Vishnu)?’ When the bird drew near, he recognized it and said, ‘It is only old Jatayu; he has come to shed his body at the shrine of my hands!’