O Rama, hear now the wondrous account of the origins of many beings, as told by the great bird Jaṭāyu. With reverence, Jaṭāyu spoke: “By the intent of Aditi, Diti, and Danu, O Rama, you shall bear sons who will become lords of the three worlds, equal to me. From the mind were also born Kālakā and others. From Aditi came the thirty-three gods, O subduer of foes. Among these were the Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, and the twin Aśvins. Diti, in turn, gave birth to sons renowned as the Daityas. Naraka and Kālaka were also born, as was Kālakā; and Tāmrā, who brought forth five daughters—Krauñcī, Bhāsī, Śyenī, Dhṛtarāṣṭrī, and Śukī—each becoming famous in the world. Krauñcī became the mother of owls, Bhāsī of herons. Śyenī gave birth to hawks and powerful vultures, while Dhṛtarāṣṭrī brought forth swans and all kinds of geese. From her also came the radiant chakravāka birds. Śukī bore Natā, and Natā’s daughter was Vinatā. From her own being, Tāmrā, moved by wrath, produced ten sons: Mṛgī, Mṛgamandā, Harī, Bhadramadā, Mātaṅgī, Śārdūlī, Śvetā, Surabhī, and the auspicious Surasā and Kadrū. All deer were the offspring of Mṛgī; Mṛgamandā gave birth to bears, as did Sṛmarā and Camarā. Bhadramadā bore a daughter named Irāvatī, whose son was Airāvata, the great elephant and lord of the world. From Harī came the monkeys and ascetic vanaras; from Śārdūlī, tailed langurs and tigers. Mātaṅgī’s offspring were elephants, and Śvetā gave birth to the elephant of the quarters. Surabhī bore two daughters: Rohiṇī, and the illustrious Gandharvī. Rohiṇī gave birth to cows, Gandharvī to horses. Surasā became the mother of serpents, and Kadrū of the nāgas. Manu, with the great-souled Kaśyapa, begot humans: Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras. According to tradition, Brāhmaṇas were born from his mouth, Kṣatriyas from his chest, Vaiśyas from his thighs, and Śūdras from his feet. Anala gave birth to all the trees bearing virtuous fruits. Vinatā, granddaughter of Śukī, and Kadrū, sister of Surasā, were also born. Kadrū gave birth to a thousand serpents, the earth-supporting nāgas; Vinatā had two sons, Garuḍa and Aruṇa. From Aruṇa I was born, and Sampāti is my elder brother. Know me, O Rama, as Jaṭāyu, son of Śyenī. If you wish, I shall be your companion in this forest, which is difficult and frequented by beasts and rākṣasas. Dear one, when you depart with Lakṣmaṇa, I will protect Sītā. Hearing these words, Rāghava honored Jaṭāyu, joyfully embracing him and bowing, for he had often heard from his father of their friendship. Thus, entrusting Sītā, princess of Mithilā, to that mighty bird, Rāma went to Pañcavaṭī with Lakṣmaṇa, eager to destroy his enemies as fire consumes moths. And now, O listeners, let the seventeenth sarga be heard. Having completed his ablutions, Rāma, with Sītā and Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa), left the bank of the Godāvarī and returned to his hermitage. There, together with Lakṣmaṇa, Rāghava performed the morning rituals and entered the leaf-hut. He dwelt there happily, honored by the great sages, seated with Sītā by his side. The mighty-armed Rāma shone like the moon adorned with patterns, conversing with Lakṣmaṇa. As Rāma sat, his mind absorbed in stories, a certain rākṣasī arrived there by chance. She was Śūrpaṇakhā, sister of the rākṣasa Daśagrīva. Approaching, she beheld Rāma, radiant as a celestial. She saw his luminous face, mighty arms, eyes long as lotus petals, gait like an elephant, and matted locks arranged in a circle. Gentle yet strong, marked with royal signs, dark as a blue lotus, he shone like Kāma himself. Overwhelmed by desire, the rākṣasī, though ugly-faced, gazed at handsome Rāma—her broad waist contrasting with her large belly, her distorted eyes fixed upon his wide, beautiful ones; her hair coppery, his lovely; her form unpleasant, his pleasing; her voice sweet, yet terrifying. Though old, she seemed youthful; fierce, yet gentle in speech; wicked in conduct, while he was righteous; displeasing to behold, while he was pleasing. Possessed by passion, she spoke to Rāma: ‘You, with matted hair, dressed as an ascetic, accompanied by your wife, bearing bow and arrows…’ ‘You have come to this land inhabited by rākṣasas—how is that? What is the purpose of your coming? You should tell the truth.’ Thus addressed by the rākṣasī Śūrpaṇakhā, tormentor of foes, Rāma began to reply with straightforward intent: ‘There was a king named Daśaratha, whose valor rivaled the gods; I am his eldest son, known among people as Rāma. This is my younger brother, Lakṣmaṇa, devoted to me; and this is my wife, the famed Vaidehī, known as Sītā.