Valmiki portrays Rama as a human being and except during very rare occasions is His Paratva revealed and the Jatayu episode is one such, pointed out Sri Sankararama Dikshitar in a discourse.
Jatayu’s role in the Ramayana is remarkable in many respects. He exemplifies the nature of selfless service and devotion, where the devotee offers his entire being unconditionally to the Lord and is happiest when serving Him. Among the various forms of bhakti, this is deemed the highest and is extolled as ‘atma samarpana.’ The wounded Jatayu, whose life is ebbing away, is eager to convey the details of how Sita had been abducted by the wicked Ravana to the grief stricken Rama and Lakshmana who come in search of her. When they learn that the noble bird had put up a valiant battle single-handedly and unarmed against Ravana’s might, they are moved to tears. In the fight, the bird had destroyed Ravana’s charioteer, his chariot and bow but eventually, Ravana had overpowered the bird and clipped its wings. Jatayu emerges as a picture of selfless sacrifice in the service of the divine couple.
Jatayu consoles the distraught Rama and reassures Him that no harm will come to Sita and that very soon she will be restored to them. Rama is as much overwhelmed by grief as by a surging sense of affection and gratitude and embraces Jatayu. He asks Jatayu to be comfortable and blesses the bird. Rama says that the grief of seeing Jatayu pass away is greater than the loss of Sita. He considers Jatayu as equal to His father and proceeds to do the final rites for the bird. All along Rama had shown Himself as a human being in this avatar, but in this context He forgets Himself and by His Sankalpa and supremacy, He grants Jatayu the highest state, liberation or moksha that is attainable by noble souls who have lived virtuous lives on earth.
