O Rama, in days of old, the noble wives of the sage Kasyapa brought forth many wondrous beings into the world. Among them, one gave birth to the beautiful Cakravāka birds. Śukī bore a daughter named Natā, and from Natā was born Vinatā, radiant among women. Krodhavaśā, O Rama, gave birth to ten daughters: Mṛgī, Mṛgamaṇḍā, Harī, Bhadramadā, Mātaṅgī, Śārdūlī, Śvetā, Surabhī, Surasā, and Kadrū, each adorned with auspicious marks and blessings. From Mṛgī sprang all the deer that roam the forests, while Mṛgamaṇḍā became the mother of bears, Sṛmaras, and Camaras. Bhadramadā gave birth to Irāvatī, whose son was the mighty Airāvata, the lordly elephant who rules over all his kind. Harī gave birth to monkeys, ascetic by nature, and Śārdūlī to both the Golāṃgūla and the fierce tigers. Mātaṅgī’s offspring were the noble elephants, while Śvetā brought forth the great elephant who stands guardian at the directions. Surabhi, O Rama, had two illustrious daughters: Rohini, auspicious and blessed, and Gandharvi, famed among all creatures. Rohini became the mother of cows, while Gandharvi gave birth to swift horses. Surasā gave birth to serpents, and Kadru to the nagas, the serpent race. From the great sage Kasyapa and Manu came all of humanity: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. As the scriptures declare, Brahmins were born from his mouth, Kshatriyas from his chest, Vaishyas from his thighs, and Shudras from his feet. She also produced all the trees that bear virtuous fruits, and even those that do not bear fruit. Vinatā and Śukī were granddaughters; Kadru and Surasā were sisters in this great lineage. Kadru gave birth to a thousand serpents, O Rama, supporter of the earth, while Vinatā bore two sons: Garuda, the mighty bird, and Aruna. From Aruna, I, Jatayu, was born, and my elder brother is Sampati. Know me, O subduer of foes, as Jatayu, son of Syeni. If you desire, Rama, I will remain here as your companion. This dense forest is frequented by wild beasts and demons. While you and Lakshmana are away, I shall protect Sita, your beloved. Rama, recognizing the noble heart of Jatayu, honored him, embraced him with joy, and bowed low, recalling the friendship his father once shared with Jatayu. Entrusting the virtuous Sita to the care of this mighty bird, Rama then set out with Lakshmana for Panchavati, eager to destroy his enemies as fire consumes moths. Listen now to the fifteenth sarga of the glorious Valmiki Ramayana, Aranyakanda. Having reached the sacred region of Panchavati, filled with many serpents and deer, Rama spoke to his radiant brother Lakshmana: "We have arrived, as the sage Agastya directed, at the very place he described. Behold, gentle one, this is Panchavati, a forest blossoming with flowers. Survey the land, for you are skilled in the ways of the forest. In which place do you think our hermitage should be built? Find a spot, Lakshmana, where Vaidehi, you, and I may dwell in delight, near a source of water, where the forest is charming and resources—firewood, flowers, sacred grass, and water—are close at hand." Thus addressed, Lakshmana, with joined palms, replied in Sita’s presence: "O Kakutstha, I am ever dependent on you, even if you remain here for a hundred years. But command me, and I will build the hermitage myself in a pleasing place." Pleased by Lakshmana’s humility, the illustrious Rama thoughtfully chose a site endowed with every virtue. Taking Lakshmana by the hand, he led him to a delightful spot and said, "Here, gentle one, the land is level and splendid, covered with blossoming trees. This is where you should build our hermitage. Nearby is a lovely lotus pond, fragrant and shining like the sun, adorned with blooming lotuses. As sage Agastya described, here flows the beautiful Godavari, surrounded by flowering trees, filled with swans and cranes, graced by chakravaka ducks, and frequented by herds of deer. The river is neither too far nor too close. See the charming hills, tall and full of many caves, resounding with the calls of peacocks and covered with blossoming trees. They are adorned with sala, palmyra, tamala, date, jackfruit, nivara, tinisha, and punnaga trees. Mango, ashoka, tilaka, ketaka, champaka, and many flowering shrubs and vines grow here. There are also chariot, sandalwood, nipa, parnasa, lakucha, dhava, ashvakarna, khadira, shami, kimshuka, and patala trees. This place is holy and delightful, rich with many animals and birds. Here, O Saumitri, we shall dwell together with this noble bird, Jatayu." Thus instructed by Rama, Lakshmana, destroyer of foes and strong of arm, quickly set about building his brother’s hermitage. He constructed a spacious leaf-hut with a firm earthen floor, supported by long posts and beautifully crafted with bamboo. He spread shami branches, tied them securely, and covered the hut well with kusa, kasa grass, reeds, and leaves. Leveling the pleasant ground, Lakshmana, for Raghava’s sake, made a most excellent and admirable dwelling. Thus, in the blessed forest of Panchavati, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana began their life in the hermitage, watched over by the faithful Jatayu.