With such loving words Lakshmana sought to give courage and consolation and both
walked on. They had not proceeded far when they came on Jataayu, bloody and mutilated,
unrecognisable, lying on the ground.
At first Raama thought it was some
Raakshasa disguising himself td deceive them and, wild with anger, cried:
"Look! Here is a Raakshasa who has eaten Seeta!" and rushed towards him, bow in
hand.
Then raising his ruffled and gory head with
great pain, Jataayu spoke in a feeble voice that seemed struggling with death. "Do
not kill me, dear Raama, who has but a few moments more to live! The dear princess you are
searching for has been carried off by Raavana and he could do so only by first robbing me
of my life! |
