In the tranquil depths of the forest, the sage Jatayu spoke to Rama, recounting the origins of many wondrous beings. Śyenī, he said, had given birth to hawks and vultures of great strength, while Dhṛtarāṣṭrī brought forth swans and all the varieties of Kalahaṃsas. Among her offspring were also the Cakravākas, those graceful ducks. Śukī gave birth to Natā, whose daughter was Vinatā. Krodhavaśā, O Rama, produced ten offspring: Mṛgī, Mṛgamaṇḍā, Harī, Bhadramadā, Mātaṅgī, Śārdūlī, Śvetā, Surabhī, Surasā, and Kadrū, each endowed with auspicious marks. From Mṛgī came all the deer; from Mṛgamaṇḍā, the bears, as well as Sṛmaras and Camaras. Bhadramadā bore Irāvatī, whose son was Airāvata, the mighty elephant, lord of the world. Harī’s children were monkeys, ascetic in nature. Śārdūlī gave birth to Golāṃgūlas and tiger cubs. Mātaṅgī’s offspring were elephants, while Śvetā gave birth to the elephant of the directions. Surabhi had two daughters: Rohini, auspicious and blessed, and Gandharvi, renowned among all. Rohini gave birth to cows, Gandharvi to swift horses. Surasa brought forth serpents, and Kadru gave birth to nagas. Manu, from the great sage Kasyapa, generated human beings: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. From his mouth came the Brahmins, from his chest the Kshatriyas, from his thighs the Vaishyas, and from his feet the Shudras, as declared in the scriptures. She also produced all trees bearing virtuous fruits, and even those without fire. Vinata and Shuki were granddaughters; Kadru and Surasa were sisters. Kadru gave birth to a thousand serpents, while Vinata had two sons: Garuda and Aruna. From Aruna, I was born, and my elder brother is Sampati. Know me as Jatayu, son of Syeni, O subduer of foes. If you wish, I will be your companion here, for this dense forest is frequented by beasts and demons. While you and Lakshmana are away, I will protect Sita, dear child. Rama, honoring Jatayu, embraced him joyfully and bowed, for he had often heard from his father about their friendship. Entrusting Sita to that mighty bird, Rama departed with Lakshmana for Panchavati, eager to destroy his enemies as fire consumes moths. Listen now to the fifteenth sarga in the glorious Valmiki Ramayana, Aranyakanda. Having reached Panchavati, a region teeming with serpents and deer, Rama spoke to his brother Lakshmana, radiant in his splendor. “We have arrived, as the sage directed, at the place he described; this is the region of Panchavati, gentle one, a forest blossoming with flowers. Survey the land, for you are skilled in the ways of the forest. Where should our hermitage be built? Find such a place, Lakshmana, where Vaidehi, you, and I may delight, and which is near a water source. Where the forest is charming and the water delightful, and where firewood, flowers, sacred grass, and water are close at hand.” Thus addressed, Lakshmana, with joined palms, replied, “O Kakutstha, I am dependent on you, even if you remain here a hundred years; but tell me to build the hermitage myself in a pleasing place.” Greatly pleased by Lakshmana’s words, Rama thoughtfully chose a place endowed with every virtue. He approached that delightful spot for the hermitage, took Lakshmana by the hand, and spoke, “This land is level and splendid, covered with blossoming trees; here, gentle one, you should properly build the hermitage. Nearby is a lovely lotus pond, fragrant and shining like the sun, adorned with blooming lotuses. As the sage Agastya described, this is the beautiful Godavari, surrounded by flowering trees. It is filled with swans and cranes, graced by chakravaka ducks, neither too far nor too close, and frequented by herds of deer. Charming hills are seen, tall and full of many caves, resounding with peacocks and covered with blossoming trees. They are adorned with sala, palmyra, tamala, date, and jackfruit trees, as well as nivara, tinisha, and punnaga trees. Mango, ashoka, tilaka, ketaka, and champaka trees abound, with flowering shrubs and vines of many kinds. There are also chariot, sandalwood, nipa, parnasa, and lakucha trees, along with dhava, ashvakarna, khadira, shami, kimshuka, and patala trees. This place is holy, delightful, and rich with many animals and birds; here, O Saumitri, we shall dwell together with this bird.” Thus addressed, Lakshmana, destroyer of foes and of great strength, quickly built his brother’s hermitage. He made a spacious leaf-hut with a firm earthen floor, well-supported by long posts and beautifully constructed with bamboo. He spread shami branches, tied them securely, and covered the hut well with kusa, kasa grass, reeds, and leaves.