Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Section B

Jatayu and Ravana - Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914)

I found the tale of Jatayu battling Ravana in the sky to be very interesting. Unfortunately, the author only devotes two paragraphs on the details of this battle. I would like to go into more detail and expand upon this battle. Ravana, wielding countless bows with his many arms, and Jatayu the Lord of Eagles (because eagles are cooler) clawing and piercing at Ravana with his razor sharp beak. I feel like this fight could be written in a way to be climatic and intense, perhaps making it seem as if Jataku would actually slay Ravana and free Sita, only to be struck down with one last arrow from the Rakshasa.

Rather than having Sita land in Ravana's lap after the three fall from the sky, I will have Jataku catch her, injured as he is. They see Ravana plummet to the Earth, and rejoice, believing he is dead. Then Ravana would drive a final, fatal arrow through the eagle, and emerge to take Sita away once again.

Jataku Flying to Sita's Aid (Source: Pixabay)

I would like to keep the ending the same, with Brahma rejoicing, knowing that this will set in motion the end of Ravana at Rama's hands. I would make him be more somber about it, knowing that this is a difficult experience for Sita. I'd have him sing apologies for her, thanking her for her role in the vanquishing of the Rakshasa, and that she will be rewarded when the deed is done.

This is an interesting story that has a lot of room for additional details to create an epic battle. I could play around with giving each combatant additional abilities as well, Jataku perhaps harnessing the powers of the wind itself, and Ravana hurling bolts of fire in addition to his arrows due to his vile Rakshasa sorcery. One idea for part of the encounter would be to have Jataku catch one of Ravana's arrows with one of his talons, hurling it back toward the evil demon, destroying the bow from whence it came.

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