Have you heard about the brave falcon who fought Ravana when he was abducting Seetha Devi?

His name is Jatayu.

His father is Aruna, the charioteer of Surya Deva and mother is Shyeni.

Shyeni means female falcon.

Ravana was taking away Seetha Devi on his Pushpaka Vimana.

Jatayu was sitting on a branch of a tree.

He was huge like a mountain, and his beak was really sharp.

He was sleeping.

He heard Seetha Devi crying.

He opened his eyes.

When he saw what was happening, he first spoke to Ravana peacefully.

Do you know who this is?

She is the wife of the most virtuous person in the whole world.

He only does good to everyone.

He works for the welfare of everyone.

You shouldn't be doing this.

You are also a king.

It is the duty of every king to protect.

Particularly women.

People conduct themselves looking at their ruler.

So the ruler always has to make sure that he is absolutely virtuous.

Spotless in his character.

Do you know what misadventure you are doing?

Lord Sri Rama is so powerful that he can burn you to asher merely by one look.

Never get into something that you will not be able to handle.

I am 60000 years old.

You are young.

You have worn an armor also.

Being mounted on a chariot you are at an advantage.

I am down here.

Still, I will not let you take her away.

If you think that you are powerful, then fight with me.

I am the king of falcons.

Dasharatha, king of Ayodhya, Lord Rama's father is my friend.

I will not disappoint them by not preventing you from committing this evil act.

Upon hearing this Ravana's eyes turned red with anger.

He pounced upon Jatayu.

They fought each other fiercely.

Ravana pierced Jatayu's body with sharp arrows.

Jarayu tore at Ravana's body with his claws.

Ravana took out 10 arrows and shot them together upon Jatayau.

Jatayu didn't bother about them.

But when he saw the tears in Seetha Devi's eyes.

He became enraged and kicked at Ravana's bow.

The bow and arrows broke into pieces.

Ravana took out another bow and showered hundreds of arrows upon Jatayau.

Jatayu blocked them all with his wings and broke that bow as well.

Jatayu attacked Ravana with his wings and tore open his armor.

Ravana's chariot the Pushpaka vimana which could fly was drawn by donkeys.

Jatayu killed all of them and also broke the chariot.

Killed the Rakshanasa attendants who were with Ravana and also his charioteer.

With his chariot broken, Ravana jumped out onto the down ground with Seetha Devi.

Everyone who watched the fight cheered Jatayu.

But Jatayu was old and tired.

When Ravana realized this, he flew away through the sky with Seetha Devi.

Jatayu chased him and stopped him again.

Jatayu said: you are leading your entire clan towards disaster.

You are running towards your own death.

Lord Rama and his brother will never forgive you.

If you have some self-respect, don't run away, fight with me.

Saying this Jatayau clutched at the back of Ravana with his claws and held him in his grip.

Then he dug his sharp beak into Ravana's back.

He pulled out Ravana's hair.

Ravana was in severe pain.

He turned around and started slapping Jatayu with his bare hands.

He punched and kicked at Jatayu.

And finally with his sword cut off the wings and legs of Jatayu.

Jatayu fell on the ground helpless.

Jatayu was old. Ravana was young and heavily armed.

Still, Jatayu swung into action when he saw injustice happening.

Success or failure shouldn't matter.

It is courage and effort that would matter most in life.

Jatayu's fight with Ravana is an example of this.