Rama confers Jhatayu Moksha
Then Rama regained consciousness looked at his dearest friend Lakshmana and said “ Child ! This Bird has fought pitched Battle with Ravana to protect my dear wife and is now in the verge of death bed. In his body the Praanan(-Life force, Last Breathe,that without which causes Physical and medical Death)is hanging by the slim thread; his voice also is slowly ebbing away. His Death has neared. “ Jahtayu Sire ! Pray if you have strength to speak please elaborately tell what happened to Sita and the travails that took over you. What is the reason for Ravana to abduct Sita? What harm have I done to Ravana? Then how was Sita’s face? Then what did Sita say? How is that Rakshasaa’s personality , his traits, strengths, his actions ? Where is the place he stays?” asked Rama. Then Jhatayu with Lean but steady voice spoke “ Rama that Rakshasaa with his magical powers created a Huge Cloud with wind and covered Sita took her through the sky in an aerial route. When I was tired with Battle and was resting he cut of my wings with his sword, took Sita in Southerly direction. Due to Maranavastha (pangs of Death the 10 Vayus –winds which function inside our body which are ready to Leave) have come and are staying near the Heart and blocking the Breathing; eyes are swirling;Trees looks Golden hue in colour with roots of Vilamich). Ravana took Sita during Vindah Muhurtha in which the person who Lost it will get back his Property. This Ravana probably did not know. Having taken your wife , that Rakshasaa like the Fish which had taken the bait of the Fishing rod will surely Die. So do not worry for Sita. You will kill Ravana and Live for long and will enjoy Life comfortably. As Jhatayu was talking steadily, suddenly Blood and Flesh fell out of it’s mouth. As it’s death was nearing Jhatayu wanted to convey something “Vishrawas son and Khubera’s brother” saying this his Praanan left (-Life force, Last Breathe,that without which causes Physical and medical Death) .’ Please Tell, Please Tell” Rama despite pleading with folded hands that Bird’s Pranan left it’s Body. What a Pity? Spreading his Legs and layed it’s head on ground Jahtayu died. Since he fell head downwards and Jhatayu was Looking huge Rama said “ Lakshmana ! In this Gory Forest where cruel Rakshasaas are there ,Jhatyau had been living for many thousands of years comfortably. Here due to Rakshasaa he has died. He has Lived for a Long time and unfortunate he had to die now. Who can stop the Time’s designated Speed? See Lakshamana this bird had fought with Ravana till his death when he was taking away Sita in order to retrieve her. Is there any limit to his Upakaram (Help, Service, care they have tended to us) done to me? I lost the Kingdom because of my Father’s command. Whereas he has forsaken his kingdom which he has been ruling for a Long time on his own. My Koshala Kingdom is not equal to his Kingdom. For my authority there are many share holders. whereas he has run the country without any competition. As a King of all Birds he has been ruling this Kingdom for many thousands of years and for my sake he has died.I thought after our Father’s demise , I can be with him and enjoy comfort after forgetting all sorrows .He too has left me. In all creatures there are Pious, Souls who follow Dharmas, helpers are there. My Losing Sita is nothing compared to this Loss. Just as much our Father is worshipable, to be respected similarly this King Jhatayu is to be respected. So what ever we have to do our Father same Rites and Rituals have to be done by us to Jhatayu as well. Quickly stack the Logs of wood , Jhatayu who sacrificed his Life for me, I would like to cremate him with Agni(Fire).
Lakshmana accordingly stacked the woods, Rama addressed Jhatayu ‘ Hey Great Strong King of Birds ! Due to my doing the Rites attain the Worlds of Salvation which are attained by the following: Girhasthas (Domesticated Men/Women) who do Yaaga (Offerings to Celestials in the Sacrifical Fire Pits reciting Vedas and the Verses invoking the respective Dieties) consistently; Those who are Vanaprastha (Stage of Life after children, grand children , you foresake all including welath, desire, Lust, Anger, vengence, malice, enmity etcand go and Live in Forest meditaing and Praying to God for salvation)and do penance in the midst of 5 Agnis(Fires); those Sanyasis (Mendicants) who do not forsake the Path of Nivruthi ; the Naishtiga Brahmacharies(Bachelors) who Left all the Worldly Comforts; With my Blessings you will attain the greatest Vishnu World” he Laid his body on the Wood and set it alight, like one will do rituals for his relations , he cremated him by chanting Mantharas(Verses). Like for those who died in order that they attain Heaven, Rama chanted the Yaamyasukthm and other Manthras. Theafter Rama Laskhamana with heavy heart went to Forest and killed big Deers brought them , took bath in Godavari . They did Tharpanam (Libations by water to the deaprted) to Jhatayu. Then spread the Dhrabais(Kushal Grass) and made Pindams(Balls) of the killed Deer Meat and kept on the tender grass as per procedure. That King of Birds to save Sita died in battle with Ravana. Rama who is equal to Sages when he did Rituals for Jhatayu that very moment due to the good deeds done by him Jhatayu attained Savation to the Noblest World. Thus doing the Special Corpses Rituals for Jhatayu and completed and had full faith in Jhatayu’s words ‘ You will get Sita’ . We will have to do all our efforts in finding Sita, this they decided and entered the Forest like Maha Vishnu and Indra . (Slokas38)
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