Sītā called out to Jaṭāyu.
Rāvaṇa was carrying her away, and Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa were far from her.
Jaṭāyu knew them. He was a friend of Rāma's father, Daśaratha, and he had already promised to protect Sītā when the brothers were away.
So the old king of birds called to Rāvaṇa and told him to stop.
He said Sītā was Rāma's wife. He said taking another man's wife was against dharma.
Jaṭāyu did not hide his age. Sixty thousand years had passed since his birth, he said, while Rāvaṇa was younger and armed.
Then Jaṭāyu said, While I am alive, you will not take Sītā.
For Rāma and Daśaratha, he would act even if it cost him his life.
Rāvaṇa attacked with arrows.
Jaṭāyu fought back.
He broke Rāvaṇa's bow, struck away his armour, killed the creatures drawing his chariot and destroyed the chariot itself.
Rāvaṇa fell to the ground.
But age was exhausting Jaṭāyu.
He attacked again.
At last Rāvaṇa drew his sword and cut Jaṭāyu's wings, feet and sides.
Jaṭāyu fell with a little life still in him.
Sītā ran to him, embraced him like a relative and wept.
Then Rāvaṇa carried her away.
Later, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa found Jaṭāyu.
He told Rāma that Rāvaṇa had taken Sītā and that he had fought him.
Jaṭāyu pointed to the broken bow, armour and chariot.
He said Rāvaṇa had gone south.
Then, while Rāma was still asking him to speak, Jaṭāyu died.
Rāma embraced his father's friend and wept.
He said Jaṭāyu had given his life trying to help him, and that the bird deserved the same honour as Daśaratha.
Rāma prepared Jaṭāyu's funeral and cremated him as one of his own relatives.
Then Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa went to the Godāvarī and offered water for him.
Jaṭāyu's last words gave Rāma the direction Rāvaṇa had gone.