Chapter 2.4 - The genesis of animals and birds in Ramayana

The genesis of birds and animals is described in the Aranyakanda fourth sarga, in Valmiki Ramayana. As Rama and others were going to Pancavati for his exiled life in the forest, they saw a vulture which was quite huge and ferocious. Thinking it to be a monster of a giant, Ramalakshmana asked it, “Who are you, sir?” The bird immediately became quite calm and friendly and to please them, it replied, “Devotees, you should know that I am a friend of your father.” When they came to know that the vulture was a friend of their father, they venerated it. They further asked him (thinking it to be a friend of their father) about his tribe and name.

In answer to the question, the vulture began to speak about the genesis of all creatures and also about his own tribe. He told them that the Prajapatis are Kardama, Vikrita, Shesha, Samshraya, Bahuputra, Sthanu, Marici, Atri, Krathu, Pulastya, Angiras, Pracetas, Pulaha, Daksha, Vivasvan, Arishtanemi, and Kashyapa.^[1]

Among the Prajapati known as Daksha had sixty daughters. Eight of them, namely Aditi, Diti, Danu, Manu, Kalika, Tamra, Krodhavasha and Anala, were married by Kashyapa. He was happy with them and he blessed them saying they will have sons who will be rulers of the three worlds. Aditi had thirty three sons. Twelve of them were Adityas, eight Vasukkal, one Rudras, two of them Ashvani deities.

Diti’s children were Daityas. Danu got Danavas. Kalika got Naraka and Kalikan as her sons. Tamra had five daughters. They were Kraunci, Bhasi, Shyeni, Dhritarashtri, and Shuki. Kraunci delivered owls, Bhasi had chicken, Shyeni had vultures, Dhritarashtri had goose, swans and ducks and Shuki delivered Nata.^[2]

Krodhavasha had ten daughters. They were Mrigi, Mrigamanda, Hari, Bhadramata, Matangi, Sharduli, Shveta, Surabhi, Surasa and Kadru. All kinds of deer are the issues of Mrigi.^[3] The issues of Mrigamanda are bears, deer known as Srimara, and camari deer.⁽⁷⁾ Bhadramata had a daughter called Iravati. The Elephant Airavata is the son of Iravati and he bears the globe on him.^[4]

Hari’s children are the lions and the monkeys. Sharduli’s children are some special kinds of monkeys and tigers.^[5] From Matangi there came elephants called Matangaja and Shveta got ‘Dvigajams” as sons.^[6] Surabhi had two daughters Rohini and Gandharvi. Rohini gave birth to cows and Gandharvi to horses.^[6] Surasa became the mother of snakes and Kadru to crawling creatures. Manu was the mother of human beings and Anala was he mother of all trees and plants.^[7]

Vinata is the daughter of Nata whose mother was Shuki. Vinata had two children Garuda and Aruna. Jatayu and Sampati are the sons of Aruna, brother of Garuda.^[8]

Jatayu said to Rama“ Know that I am Jatayu. This forest is full of animals and giants. I will give protection to you and also to Mother Sita.” Rama embraced Jatayu and revered him. After that together with Jatayu, they continued their journey to Pancavati.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Valmiki Ramayana III 14. 7-9

[2]:

Ibid 14. 17-20

[3]:

Ibid 14. 23

[4]:

Ibid 14. 24

[5]:

Ibid 14. 25

[6]:

Ibid 14. 26

[7]:

Ibid 14. 27-28

[8]:

Ibid 14. 28-31

[9]:

Ibid 14. 32-33