29. Jatayu and Sabari (Devotional)

      As explained in Story of Garuda, Kashyap got two sons from Vinata. One is Aruna whose egg was partly broken by his own mother Vinata out of curiosity and another is Garuda. Aruna is charioteer  of Surya, the sun god. Aruna got two sons Sampati and Jatayu. when young, they used to compete as to who could fly higher. Once Jatayu flew so high that he was about to get seared by the sun's flames. Sampati saved his brother by spreading his own wings and thus shielding Jatayu from the hot flames. In the process, Sampati himself got injured and lost his wings. As a result, Sampati lived wingless for the rest of his life. Jatayu was saved by Dasaratha once while confronting with Samparasura. He is a good friend of Rama also. When Ravana was taking away Sita, Jatayu saw him and confronted. He tried to save Sita till his last breath. Ravana being stronger cut off his wings and killed him.

      There was a old woman called Sabari who served for long Rishi Matanga in his ashram near Rishyamuka, and when he was ascending to heaven, he bade his disciple await the advent of Rama who would come to her, bless her, and fulfill her tapas. Sabari obeyed her Master’s command. When Rama and Lakshmana set out in search of Sita (refer Sita's Abduction), en route they killed Kabandakan who had been transformed into an Asura due to a curse. After being released from the curse, he told Rama that Sabari has been waiting for them at Mathanga rishi's ashram. So Rama and Lakshmana visited the ashram where Sabari told them that Mathanga rishi and his disciples had attained moksha and gone to heaven. She also said that Mathanga rishi had told her that Rama and Lakshmana would visit the ashram and that she could reach heaven after serving them. As part of her hospitality, Sabari offered fruits to Rama and Lakshmana before taking them around the ashram and showing the place where Mathanga rishi and his disciples did yagas. She then sought Rama's permission to leave this world. On getting his consent, Sabari entered the fire wearing deer skin and emerged out of it as a beautiful woman wrapped in a silk dress and adorned with beautiful jewels. She attained moksha with Rama's permission.

      Before leaving her body, Sabari advised Rama to meet Sugriva, a vanara living near by who can help Rama with his troop in finding Sita. So Rama and Lakshmana started their journey to meet Sugriva (refer Birth of Hanuman). On the way they saw Jatayu on the ground. Rama was so sad to see him in this position. Jatayu explained him that he fought with someone who abducted Sita. He couldn't tell about Ravana's where abouts and died. Rama conducted final penance to Jatayu and started his journey to Sugriva's place.