B.G. 18.1-2 Jatayu Moksha

स गृध्र राजः कृतवान् यशस्करम्

सु दुष्करम् कर्म रणे निपातितः |

महर्षि कल्पेन च संस्कृतः तद

जगाम पुण्याम् गतिम् आत्मनः शुभाम् || ३-६८-३७

Translation :

That king of eagle Jatayu, who had performed the glorious deed of stalling and combating Ravana, but who was felled by that Ravana, went away to the merited and auspicious abodes, as when consecrated by the sublime personality of Lord Rama. 

[Chapter 14, Aranya Kanda] Räma accepted the celestial weapons respectfully and then asked the sage to tell Him of a place where He could live. After again meditating for a while the sage replied, “By virtue of my austerities and meditation I have come to know You and understand Your purpose, O Räma. I therefore suggest You go to a nearby forest called Panchavati. It is beautiful and sanctified. At that place all Your desires will be fulfilled.”

Agastya gave the brothers directions. After taking leave, Räma, Lakshmana and Sita began the twenty-mile walk to Panchavati, making Their way along the narrow forest paths. After a few miles they came across a huge vulture lying in a clearing. Räma and Lakshmana, assuming it to be a Rakshasa, quickly prepared to fight. Räma carefully approached the vulture, which resembled a hill.

“I am Räma and this is My brother Lakshmana, two descendants of Raghu,” He declared. “Who are you and what is your race?”

In gentle speech the bird replied that he was an old friend of Dasharatha. His name was Jatayu and he was the king of the vultures. He recounted to Räma his entire lineage, which began with the ancient sage Kardama. In the course of his narration Jatayu described how all the various species of birds and animals had descended. Jatayu was the nephew of Garuda, the invincible eagle carrier of Vishnu.

“This forest is infested with Rakshasas and vicious beasts,” Jatayu said. “Allow me to accompany You in the forest. I shall protect Sita when You two brothers go out to gather food.” Räma knew of Jatayu’s friendship with His father. He joyfully embraced the great bird and gave His permission for Jatayu to follow Him. Räma then continued toward Panchavati

.........................................

[Chapter 43, Aranya Kanda] Sita repeatedly beseeched Räma to capture the deer, which remained close by. Räma felt obliged to satisfy His wife. He turned to Lakshmana. “Dear brother, see how this deer has created such a burning desire in Sita. I must try to catch it for Her. I have never seen a deer like this anywhere before. It defies description. If, as you say, it is a Rakshasa in disguise, then it must be put to death. Therefore I shall chase it through these woods. Either I will bring it alive or, having determined it to be a Rakshasa, slay it with My sharp arrows. Perhaps then I may take its superb skin for Sita.”

Räma asked His brother to stand close to Sita and guard Her while He was gone. Like Lakshmana, He also feared an attack from the Rakshasas. He told Lakshmana that Jatayu was nearby and could assist Him if necessary. Räma then fastened His sword to His belt and, after tying on His two quivers, He grasped His bow. He then went toward the deer, which bounded away into the woods.

.....................................................

[Chapters 50-52, Aranya Kanda] Sita began calling to the trees. She cried to the river and forest deities, to the animals and the birds, asking them all to tell Räma what had happened. Turning to Ravana she said, “The fruits of sinful deeds are not immediately received, O Rakshasa, but in time they destroy the perpetrator to his very roots. O Ravana, your time is all but over. Räma will certainly recover Me and end your life.”

As the chariot rose higher, Sita looked down and saw Jatayu perched on a large tree. She called out to him. “O bird, help Me! I am being seized by an evil Rakshasa! Don’t try to stop him. He is too powerful. Quickly find Räma.”

Jatayu heard Sita and looked up. He saw the chariot with Ravana and Sita on board. From the tree he called out to the Rakshasa, whom he immediately recognized. “O Ravana, I am the king of the vultures, Jatayu. I possess might and am devoted to virtue. I shall not allow you to carry away Sita in my presence. You who are also a king should not bear away another’s wife against the eternal codes of morality.”

Jatayu flew up from his perch, continuously reproaching Ravana and reminding him of what had happened to Khara and Dushana. Soaring upwards, he kept pace with Ravana’s chariot. He spoke in a loud voice, disturbing the demon’s mind. “Release Sita now, O evil-minded one! You have placed the noose of Death around your neck. You have tied a poisonous snake in your cloth. O fool, your act will bring you nothing but suffering. If Räma were here, you would no more be able to carry away Sita by force than one could alter a Vedic text by the force of logic.” 
Jatayu was infuriated. He challenged Ravana. “I am here to stop you, O night-ranger! Stand and fight. Although I am old and weak I cannot watch you take away this princess. Struck by my bill you will fall from your chariot like a ripe fruit from a tree.”
When Ravana heard Jatayu’s challenge he veered his chariot toward him and rushed angrily at the king of birds, raining him with blows from his twenty arms. But Jatayu swooped and avoided Ravana’s attack. Then he assailed Ravana with his sharp talons. As the great bird screamed, Ravana roared. The clash between the two combatants was tumultuous and frightening to witness. It resembled an encounter between two winged mountains. Ravana fired terrible-looking arrows that sped through the air like streaks of fire. Jatayu was suddenly struck all over with hundreds of sharp arrows. Ignoring his wounds, he rushed at Ravana, inflicting many wounds on him with his beak and claws. Jatayu then broke Ravana’s large jewel-encrusted bow, which fell glittering from the sky. Ravana swiftly strung another bow and shot thousands of arrows at Jatayu, entirely covering his body. The king of birds looked as if he had found shelter in a nest. He shook off the network of arrows with his wings and again flew at Ravana’s chariot. The great bird tore off the heads of Ravana’s mules. With a blow from his bill he killed the charioteer. Swooping again and again, Jatayu then smashed Ravana’s chariot. As his chariot fell in pieces, the Rakshasa grabbed hold of Sita and dropped to the ground.

The devatas, witnessing the battle from above, applauded Jatayu. Then Ravana again rose into the air. In two of his arms he held Sita, while in another hand he clutched his fierce-looking sword. He faced Jatayu, who again rebuked the demon.

“Your act is condemned by all virtuous men,” thundered Jatayu. “It is not even heroic. You are simply a thief, and like a thief you will be caught and punished by Räma. O cowardly one, how do you hope to survive? Surely it is only for the annihilation of the Rakshasas that you have stolen Sita. Wait a short while and Räma will return. Or fight me now, Ravana, for I shall never allow you to leave with Sita.”

Jatayu flew at Ravana. He tore the demon’s back with his talons and struck his heads with his beak. The fearless bird pulled the Rakshasa’s hair and dragged him about. Ravana shook with anger. His eyes blazed and his lips twitched with indignation. Tormented by Jatayu he decided to kill him. He rushed at the bird and struck him violently with his fists. Jatayu then tore off Ravana’s ten left arms. Even as the arms fell to the ground, ten more grew immediately in their place, like serpents coming out of an ant hill. The Rakshasa then placed Sita on the ground. He darted toward Jatayu and began striking him with his fists and feet. Taking his razor-sharp sword, he lopped off Jatayu’s wings. The great vulture fell on the ground, dying. With his white breast reddened with blood, he resembled a large cloud tinged by the setting sun. Sita cried out and ran toward him. Gently stroking his head, She called out to Räma.

“My lord! Where are You? Do You not see this terrible calamity? The sky is filled with evil omens. Come quickly. Here lies the brave Jatayu, mortally wounded on My account. O Räma! O Lakshmana! Save Me!”
Sita cried bitterly. From the sky, Ravana saw that his adversary was overcome. He descended swiftly and went toward Sita. She ran away and embraced a tree, crying out, “Hold Me, trees, hold Me!”

Ravana grabbed Her forcefully by the hair. In the grip of his own destiny he dragged Sita away as She cried out, “Räma! Räma!” again and again. Pulling Her onto his lap, Ravana rose up into the sky.

At that time the wind stopped blowing and the sun appeared lusterless and dull. The whole creation seemed out of order and a dense darkness enveloped the four quarters. Brahmä saw by his divine vision that Sita had been seized violently by Ravana and he said to the gods, “Our purpose is accomplished!” The great sages in the forest also saw Sita being taken. Knowing Ravana’s destruction to be imminent, they felt simultaneously agonized and joyful.

Ravana held Sita tightly and flew toward Lanka. With Her body shining like molten gold and adorned with jeweled ornaments, Sita looked like lightning against a black cloud. Ravana appeared like a dark mountain illumined by fire as he traveled with haste toward his city. Sita’s face pressed against Ravana, resembled the full moon splitting a cloud. She burst into tears again and again and called out for Räma. Lotus petals fell in showers from Her crushed garland. A bejeweled golden anklet dropped from Her foot like a circular flash of lightning. Her necklace of pearls fell from Her breast, appearing like the Ganges descending from the heavens.

As Ravana soared over the treetops the leaves shook violently, seeming to say to Sita, “Don’t be afraid.” Forest ponds, with their faded lotuses and frightened fishes, appeared sorry for the princess. Lions and tigers, along with birds and other beasts, angrily rushed behind, following Ravana’s shadow. The mountains, their faces bathed in tears in the form of rivulets and with arms upraised in the form of peaks, seemed to scream as the wind from Ravana’s passage rushed over them. Seeing Sita held in the grasp of the ten-headed monster, the forest deities wept and their limbs trembled with fear.
Sita, Her face pale and Her eyes reddened, chastised Ravana. “Have you no shame at all? Resorting only to stealth and trickery, you have stolen away the chaste wife of another. O coward! You have killed the old and helpless Jatayu and now you flee in fear from Räma. You are proud of your valor, but people throughout the world will scorn and deride you, O vile demon!"

..................................

[Chapters 67-68, Aranya Kanda] Räma felt slightly pacified as Lakshmana continued, “Let Us seek out the assistance of the great sages. With Me by Your side we shall search the whole earth with all its mountains and forests. If We still do not find Sita We shall go to the depths of the ocean and up to the realms of the gods. O Räma, We shall not rest until We find Your beloved wife.”

Lakshmana suggested that if still They did not find Sita, then Räma could let loose His venomous missiles upon the worlds. But first He should control His anger and seek His wife through peaceful means. Otherwise, what example would He set for the world? If the earth’s ruler immediately resorted to violence when under duress, then what would ordinary men do? Could they be expected to exercise any control when in distress? In this world calamities visited everyone in due course of time, but they also disappeared again. Happiness and distress follow one another in swift succession. One should not give way to either. Even the gods were subject to suffering. One should neither rejoice nor grieve for material things, but with a peaceful mind carry out one’s duties. This was the path to everlasting happiness. Lakshmana looked into Räma’s eyes.

“O Räma, You have often instructed Me in this way. Indeed, who can teach You, even if he be Båhaspati himself? I am only trying now to awaken Your intelligence, which has been dulled by grief. Dear brother, people like You do not give way to grief even when faced with the gravest perils. Therefore spare the worlds. Seek out only the sinful adversary who has stolen Sita.”

Räma put down His bow and replaced His arrow in its quiver. He was moved by His brother’s beautifully worded advice. Controlling His anger, He thanked Lakshmana and asked Him what They should do next. Where should They begin to look? The two princes continued to walk south, discussing what to do. Soon They came upon Jatayu lying upon the ground. Seeing from a distance the mountainous bird drenched in blood, Räma exclaimed, “Lakshmana! Here is a Rakshasa in the guise of a bird. Surely this beast has devoured Sita. I shall make short work of it with My fiery arrows.”

Räma fitted a razor-headed arrow to His bow and bounded toward Jatayu, but as soon as He recognized the great bird He lowered His weapon. Jatayu, close to death, saw Räma coming and raised his head. Vomiting blood he spoke in a strained voice. “O Räma, the godly Sita and indeed my life have both been snatched away by Ravana. I flew to Her assistance and fought with the demon. Although I smashed his chariot and killed his horses, I was finally cut down by him.”

Jatayu then described what had taken place. Upon hearing his story Räma fell weeping to the ground. He embraced Jatayu and stroked his head. In great pain Räma cried out, “Alas, who is more unfortunate than I? My sovereignty is lost, I am exiled, My wife is stolen and now My father’s friend lies mortally wounded, having tried his best to help Me.”

Räma questioned Jatayu. Where did Ravana take Sita? What did She say as She was being dragged away? How powerful was the Rakshasa and where was his abode? Räma spoke wildly in a tearful voice.

Jatayu looked at Him fondly. Speaking in barely a whisper, he replied, “The demon conjured up a storm as he flew in the sky. As I contended with him I soon became exhausted, being old and worn out. He then lopped off my wings. He sped away with his face pointing south.”

The bird lay gasping. He reassured Räma that Sita would soon be found. The Rakshasa had kidnapped Her at an hour, which was favorable for Her return. “Although he knew it not,” Jatayu said, “it was the ‘vinda’ hour. According to scripture, a treasure lost during that time is again recovered.”

Jatayu told Räma that Ravana was the son of the sage Vishrava and the half-brother of Kuvera. Although he was immensely powerful Räma would soon slay him; Jatayu was sure of it. As the old bird spoke, he felt his life departing. Blood flowing continuously from his mouth, he looked at Räma with tears in his eyes. Repeating Räma’s name over and over, Jatayu gradually became silent. His head fell to the ground and his body slumped back.

Räma stood with folded hands, looking at His father’s dearest friend. He cried out in anguish. “Speak more, O noble bird. Speak more!”

But Jatayu was dead. Räma gazed at him sorrowfully. Turning to Lakshmana He said, “Alas, this bird has laid down his life for My sake, dear brother. It is clear that valiant souls who practice piety and virtue are found even in the lower species of life and not just among humans. The pain of seeing this vulture’s death afflicts Me as much as that caused by Sita’s loss.”

Räma considered Jatayu to be as worthy of His worship as Dasharatha. He asked Lakshmana to fetch logs so that They could build a funeral pyre. Räma looked at the bird and said, “You will attain unsurpassed realms of happiness, O king of birds. Never again will you take birth in this mortal world of pain and suffering.”

The brothers placed Jatayu on the wood pile and set it alight. Räma personally recited the sacred mantras and performed the ritual, cremating Jatayu as He would His own relative. Both brothers then went to the Godavari and, after bathing in the river, offered its sacred water to Jatayu’s departed soul. When the ritual was complete Räma and Lakshmana felt pleased, knowing that Jatayu had gone to divine regions of unending happiness. They fixed their minds on recovering Sita. Going in a southerly direction They entered the deep forest, appearing like Vishnu and Indra are going out to encounter the Asuras.

B.G 18. 1

arjuna uvāca

sannyāsasya mahā-bāho

tattvam icchāmi veditum

tyāgasya ca hṛṣīkeśa
pṛthak keśi-niṣūdana

Translation:  

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: The giving up of activities that are based on material desire is what great learned men call the renounced order of life [sannyāsa]. And giving up the results of all activities is what the wise call renunciation [tyāga].

B.G 18.2

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
kāmyānāṁ karmaṇāṁ nyāsaṁ
sannyāsaṁ kavayo viduḥ
sarva-karma-phala-tyāgaṁ
prāhus tyāgaṁ vicakṣaṇāḥ

Translation: 

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: The giving up of activities that are based on material desire is what great learned men call the renounced order of life [sannyāsa]. And giving up the results of all activities is what the wise call renunciation [tyāga].

References: 

1. www.gita-society.com/pdf2011/ramayana.pdf

2. www.vedabase.com/en/bg/18/2