Jatayu Tries to Stop Ravana

"Ten-headed Ravana, I am the vulture Jatayu," said the giant bird. "Rama, the son of Dasharatha, is the Lord of all creatures in the world. He is strong, like Varuna and Indra, and is engaged in the welfare of people. The woman you have kidnapped is Rama's lawful wife, Sita. Release her, or else, as a punishment, you will be destroyed. 

I am sixty thousand years old, whereas you are young. You are aboard a plane, wearing armor, and have weapons. Yet, I will not let you take Sita away so easily. If you are courageous, disembark the plane and fight me."

Ravana and Jatayu engaged in a fight in the sky. Ravana used his sword to cut off Jatayu's wings and feet, causing the wingless Jatayu to fall to the ground, though he was still breathing. Sita, seeing this, began to cry as if Jatayu were a member of her family. Even as Sita sobbed, Ravana's resolve remained unchanged. 

In an attempt to leave a clue for Rama to find her, Sita threw out her yellow shawl and ornaments, which Ravana overlooked in his excitement. However, some monkeys on the mountain where the ornaments fell saw a woman forcefully taken away on a flying chariot. After crossing the Pampa lake, Ravana continued on his way to Lanka.

The Pushpaka Vimana crossed the ocean and finally reached Lanka. "Sita, you have won me over with your gentle looks," said Ravana. "I no longer desire any of my queens. Marry me; you will become Queen of Lanka and live the rest of your life in a splendid palace."

"Villain, I can never marry you," said Sita, turning away from Ravana. "I am a brave man's wife and a faithful one. Learn to respect other women in the same way you respect your wife. Besides, you can never tempt me with your power or splendor. I am inseparable from Rama in my heart, just as a sun's rays are inseparable from the sun. Ravana, follow the path of righteousness and return me to my husband, Rama."

Ravana was enraged by Sita's words. "Sita, I will tolerate what you just said only because I love you," said Ravana. "Otherwise, I would punish you by death for your harsh words. I will give you two months, during which you must accept me as your husband, or I will kill you. My word binds me; therefore, I will not kill you before the two months are over. Consider the matter carefully." He then imprisoned Sita in Lanka's Ashok Garden, where she was guarded by frightening demonesses day and night.