The Ramayana/Book III/Canto XIV: Jatáyus

Then as the son of Raghu made His way to Panchavatí's shade, A mighty vulture he beheld Of size and strength unparalleled. The princes, when the bird they saw, Approached with reverence and awe, And as his giant form they eyed, 'Tell who thou art,' in wonder cried. The bird, as though their hearts to gain, Addressed them thus in gentlest strain; 'In me, dear sons, the friend behold Your royal father loved of old.' He spoke: nor long did Ráma wait His sire's dear friend to venerate: He bade the bird declare his name And the high race of which he came. When Raghu's son had spoken, he Declared his name and pedigree, His words prolonging to disclose How all the things that be arose: 'List while I tell, O Raghu's son, The first-born Fathers, one by one, Great Lords of Life, whence all in earth And all in heaven derive their birth. First Kardam heads the glorious race Where Vikrit holds the second place, With S'esha, Sans'ray next in line, And Bahuputra's might divine. Then Sthánu and Maríchi came, Atri, and Kratu's forceful frame. Pulastya followed, next to him Angiras' name shall ne'er be dim. Prachetas, Pulah next, and then Daksha, Vivasvat praised of men: Aríshtanemi next, and last Kas'yap in glory unsurpassed. From Daksha,--fame the tale has told-- Three-score bright daughters sprang of old. Of these fair-waisted nymphs the great Lord Kas'yap sought and wedded eight, Aditi, Diti, Kálaká, Támrá, Danú, and Analá, And Krodhavasá swift to ire, And Manu glorious as her sire. Then when the mighty Kas'yap cried Delighted to each tender bride: 'Sons shalt thou bear, to rule the three Great worlds, in might resembling me,' Aditi, Diti, and Danú Obeyed his will as consorts true, And Kálaká; but all the rest Refused to hear their lord's behest. First Aditi conceived, and she, Mother of thirty Gods and three, The Vasus and A'dityas bare, Kudras, and A'svins, heavenly pair. Of Diti sprang the Daityas: fame Delights to laud their ancient name. In days of yore their empire dread O'er earth and woods and ocean spread. Danú was mother of a child, O hero, As'vagríva styled, And Narak next and Kálak came Of Kálaká, celestial dame. Of Támrá, too, five daughters bright In deathless glory sprang to light. Ennobling fame still keeps alive The titles of the lovely five: Immortal honour still she claims For Kraunchí, Bhasí, S'yení's names. And wills not that the world forget S'ukí or Dhritaráshtrí yet. Then Kraunchí bare the crane and owl, And Bhásí tribes of water fowl: Vultures and hawks that race through air With storm-fleet pinions S'yení bare. All swans and geese on mere and brook Their birth from Dhritaráshtrí took, And all the river-haunting brood Of ducks, a countless multitude. From S'ukí Nalá sprang, who bare Dame Vinatá surpassing fair. From fiery Krodhavas'á, ten Bright daughters sprang, O King of men: Mrigí and Mrigamadá named, Hari and Bhadiamadá famed, S'árdúlí, S'vetá fair to see, Mátangi bright, and Surabhi, Surasá marked with each fair sign, And Kadrumá, all maids divine. Mrigí, O prince without a peer, Was mother of the herds of deer, The bear, the yak, the mountain roe Their birth to Mrigamandá owe; And Bhadramadá joyed to be Mother of fair Irávatí, Who bare Airávat, huge of mould, Mid warders of the earth enrolled, From Harí lordly lions trace, With monkeys of the wild, their race. From the great dame S'árdúlí styled Sprung pards, Lángúrs, and tigers wild. Mátangi, Prince, gave birth to all Mátangas, elephants strong and tall, And S'vet'a bore the beasts who stand One at each wind, earth's warder band. Next Surabhí the Goddess bore Two heavenly maids, O Prince, of yore, Gandharvi--dear *as fa??* is she-- And her sweet sister Rohiní. With kine this daughter filled each mead, And bright Gandharví bore the steed. Surasá bore the serpents: all The snakes Kadrú their mother call. Then Manu, high-souled Kas'yap's wife, To all the race of men gave life, The Bráhmans first, the Kshatriya caste, Then Vais'yas, and the S'údras last. Sprang from her mouth the Brahman race; Her chest the Kshatriyas' natal place: The Vais'yas from her thighs,'tis said, The S'údras from her feet were bred. From Analá all trees that hang Their fair fruit-laden branches sprang. The child of beauteous S'ukí bore Vinatá, as I taught before: And Surasá and Kadrú were Born of one dame, a noble pair. Kadrú gave birth to countless snakes That roam the earth in woods and brakes. Arun and Garud swift of flight By V'inatá were given to light, And sons' of Arun red as morn Sampati first, then I was born, Me then, O tamer of the toe, Jutáyus, son of S'yení, know. Thy ready helper will I be, And guard thy house, if thou agree: When thou and Lakshman urge the chase By Sítá's side shall be my place.' With courteous thanks for promised aid, The prince, to rapture stirred, Bent low, and due obeisance paid, Embraced the royal bird. He often in the days gone by  Had heard his father tell How, linked with him in friendship's tie, He loved Jatáyus well. He hastened to his trusted friend His darling to confide, And through the wood his steps to bend By strong Jatáyus' side. On to the grove, with Lakshman near, The prince his way pursued To free those pleasant shades from fear And slay the giant brood.