Jaṭāyu
mythological figure · 1 work · 8 mentions · 25 anchored passages
king of vultures · lord of birds · king of the vultures · younger brother of Saṃpāti
in the texts
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa
A mighty bird ally, noted by Rāma as present to help watch over Sītā.
"With the auspicious, exceedingly mighty bird Jaṭāyu, wise as he is, present on the right hand, O Lakṣmaṇa, be vigilant — guard Maithilī every moment, alert in every direction.
"O ten-necked one, I stand in ancient dharma, grounded in truth — I am named Jaṭāyu, king of vultures, and I am mighty.
Jaṭāyu, the lord of birds that ride on wings, intercepted those showers of arrows, those weapons of Rāvaṇa, in the battle.