A famous bird.

Antecedents: Vishnu – Brahma – Marichi – Kashyapa – Aruna – Jatayu.

Aruna had two children – Jatayu and Sampati. Their mother was Shyeni as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 66 verse 71 and Ramayana Aranyakanda Sarga 14 verse 32. But as per Kambaramayana, their mother was Mahashweta.

Once the two brothers wagered and flew towards the sun. Jatayu, in his, exuberance got too close and fell down tired. Jatayu rushed to shield him from the sun and got his wings burnt. He fell into the Vindhyas and was taken care of by a sage named Nishakara. The brothers never met after that as per Ramayana Kishkindakanda Sarga 58 and Kambaramayana Kishkindakanda.

When Ravana was kidnapping Sita, Jatayu fought him on the way, and after a fierce battle, Ravana cut away his wings and he fell towards his death as per Ramayana Aranyakanda Chapter 51.

When Rama and Lakshmana were searching for Sita, they found Jatayu praying for salvation. Jatayu gave them all the details and then died. Rama and Lakshmana cremated him as per Kambaramayana.