Considering the Vulture: Gaining Perspective on the Rāmāyaṇa Tradition Through the Pastimes of Jatāyu

Abstract

The article Considering the Vulture: Gaining Perspective on the Rāmāyaṇa Tradition Through the Pastimes of Jatāyu by David B. Greenberg investigates the evolving portrayal of Jatāyu in different versions of the Rāmāyaṇa—Vālmīki, Kamban, and Tulsīdās. Greenberg reveals how Jatāyu’s self-sacrificial attempt to save Sītā becomes progressively sanctified, positioning him as a symbol of unwavering dharma and martyrdom. The article highlights the importance of animal figures in shaping moral and spiritual imagination.