03.263
Markandeya said.
Jaṭāyu, the son of Aruṇa, a friend of Daśaratha, the great, mighty king of vultures, whose brother was Sampāti. (03-263-1)
Then he saw Sītā, his daughter-in-law, sitting on Rāvaṇa's lap. Angered, the bird rushed at Rāvaṇa, the king of the rākṣasas. (03-263-2)
Then the vulture said to him, "Release! Release Maithilī!" While I am holding her, how will you take her away, night-wanderer? Indeed, you will not escape from me alive if you do not let go of the bride. (03-263-3)
Having spoken thus to the king of the rakṣasas, he violently cut him with his claws, and, repeatedly bruised by blows of wing and beak, he shed much blood, like a mountain gushing with streams. (03-263-4)
While being attacked by the vulture who wished for Rāma's welfare, he took up his sword and cut off the bird's arms. (03-263-5)
The Rakshasa, having slain the king of vultures, ascended upwards with Sītā on his lap, resembling the peak of a sundered cloud. (03-263-6)
Wherever Sītā sees a hermitage precinct, a lake, or a river, there she casts off her ornaments. (03-263-7)
She saw five foremost monkeys on the mountain slope. There, the high-minded woman gave up her great divine garment. (03-263-8)
That (object), belonging to those lordly monkeys, fell—lifted by the wind—amidst the five, shining yellow, just as (lightning) in the midst between clouds and lightning. (03-263-9)
Thus, when Vaidehī was taken away, Rāma, after slaying the great deer and returning, then saw his brother Lakṣmaṇa. (03-263-10)
Seeing his brother, he censured him, saying, "How could you have come, having abandoned Vaidehī in the forest haunted by Rākṣasas?" (03-263-11)
Then, being tormented, he thought about the abduction by the demon who took the form of a deer, and also about the arrival of his brother. (03-263-12)
Rebuking himself, but hastily, Rāma approached him. I look, O Lakṣmaṇa—does Vaidehī (Sītā) still live or not? (03-263-13)
Lakṣmaṇa conveyed to him all the words of Sītā—those last, unworthy words that Vaidehī had spoken. (03-263-14)
But with his heart burning with grief, Rāma rushed to the hermitage; there he saw the vulture, slain and resembling a mountain. (03-263-15)
But suspecting the demon, Kākutstha (Rāma), together with Lakṣmaṇa, then rushed toward him, drawing his strong bow. (03-263-16)
The radiant king of vultures spoke to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, who were together: "I am the king of vultures—well-being to you both—I am indeed the friend of Daśaratha." (03-263-17)
Having heard those words of his, and taking up their splendid bows, the two said: "Who is this, our father, by name, O?" (03-263-18)
Then those two both saw him lying there with both wings cut, and the vulture told them about the killing committed by Ravana for Sita's sake. (03-263-19)
Rāghava asked the vulture, "Which direction did Rāvaṇa go?" The vulture indicated it with head movements and died. (03-263-20)
Kākutstha (Rāma), understanding his intention regarding the fee, arranged the ceremony for his friend, honoring his father's wishes. (03-263-21)
Then, seeing the hermitage—the mats and pots scattered, the water jars broken, deserted and frequented by bands of jackals—(03-263-22)
Overcome with pain and sorrow, and distressed by the abduction of Vaidehī, the two heroes took the southern route to the Daṇḍaka forest. (03-263-23)
But Rama, together with Saumitri (Lakshmana), saw herds of deer fleeing everywhere in that great forest, and also heard the terrible noise of creatures growing like that of a forest fire. (03-263-24)
After a moment, they saw Kabandha, terrifying to behold, resembling a cloud-covered mountain, having shoulders like a śāla tree, with mighty arms, large eyes set in his chest, and a huge belly and mouth. (03-263-25)
Then, by chance, that demon seized Lakṣmaṇa with his hand. Instantly, O Bhārata, Sumitrā's son was overcome with grief. (03-263-26)
He, gazing at Rāma, whose face was being drawn (towards him), and being distressed, said to Rāma: "Behold this condition of mine." (03-263-27)
There is the abduction of Vaidehī, and this calamity of mine, as well as the loss of the kingdom and your father’s death. (03-263-28)
I will not see you, together with Vaidehī, having returned to Kośala, established in the ancestral kingdom of the earth. (03-263-29)
Those fortunate ones who, with blades of kuśa, rice, and śamī grass, will see the noble one's face, anointed and shining like the moon with a drop resembling a cloud, are truly blessed. (03-263-30)
Thus, Lakṣmaṇa, the wise one, lamented in many ways; then, the descendant of Kakutstha, who remained unperturbed even in times of confusion, spoke to him. (03-263-31)
Do not lose heart, O tiger among men; while I am here, no one (needs to fear). Cut off his right arm—his left arm has already been severed by me. (03-263-32)
Thus, while he was saying this, his arm was cut off by Rāma with a very sharp sword, severed like a stalk of sesame. (03-263-33)
Then the strong one struck his right arm with a sword. Saumitri, too, upon seeing his brother Rāghava standing. (03-263-34)
Lakṣmaṇa again struck that demon violently at the side. Then the very great Kabandha, his life departed, fell to the ground. (03-263-35)
After departing from his body, a person of divine appearance ascended to the sky and appeared there, shining like the sun. (03-263-36)
Eloquent Rama asked him: "Who are you? Tell (me), who am asking. Through desire, what is this wonderful marvel that appears to me?" (03-263-37)
O king, the Gandharva Viśvāvasu spoke to him: “I have, through Brahmā’s curse, attained a birth among those frequented by rāksasas.” (03-263-38)
Sītā was carried off by Rāvaṇa, the king residing in Laṅkā. You should go to Sugrīva; he will help you. (03-263-39)
This is the lake Pampa, full of auspicious water and abounding with swans and waterfowls, situated near the mountain Ṛśyamūka. (03-263-40)
Here resides Sugrīva, along with four ministers, the brother of the king of the monkeys, Vāli, who is adorned with a golden garland. (03-263-41)
This is as much as we can say: you will see Jānaki (Sītā). Surely, the king of monkeys knows where Rāvaṇa's abode is. (03-263-42)
After speaking thus, that divine and greatly radiant man vanished. Both heroes, Rama and Lakshmana, were filled with wonder. (03-263-43)
