'''14. Jatayu'''

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Jatayu is a bird from the epic Ramayana. Ramayana is the story of Rama, one of the incarnations of Vishnu, trying to rescue his wife Sita after she was kidnapped by demons. Along the way he is helped by his friends, family, the monkeys, the bears, and Jatayu. When Sita is first captured Jatayu chases down her captor Ravana. When he catches up to them he tries to free Sita, but Ravana slices off his arm with his sword causing Jatayu to fall out of the sky. Rama arrives to see that Jatayu has been mortally injured (Ramayana). Rama says that Jatayu has achieved moksha. This means he was free from the circle of life and his soul could finally rest. Moksha, in Indian philosophy and religion, liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth (samsara). http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/387852/moksha

Jared Wilson