The Power of the Sun

Jatayu is the giant demi-god eagle (or sometimes vulture) from Indian

Mythology and his story can be found in many sources.

There was a time when mortals and gods were not so far apart, and

gods walked amongst mortal men. Jatayu’s father was Aruna, who was

the charioteer for the Sun god, Surya and his mother was Syeni, who

was a bird known for her majesty. It is little wonder that Jatayu grew to

be a bird who was incredibly large and incredibly strong. It was said that

when he flew across the sky with his wings extended, whole towns

would fall into darkness.

Jatayu also had an older brother named Sampati and they were for a

time as close as brothers could be. That all changed when a wager cost

Sampati his flight.

Jatayu and his brother made a wager, arguing over who could fly closer

to Surya who was the Sun God, and the deity that their father acted as

charioteer for. This was never going to end well, but one of the flaws of

youth is believe that you are immortal, and nothing is a bad idea.

Jatayu was reckless and he soon outflew his brother, and without

thinking found himself in the orbit of the Sun God, which is known as

Suryamandala. The wager was undertaken at noon, when the Sun God’s

powers were at their greatest and the heat was at its peak.

As Jatayu got closer to Surya, his wings began to burn, and his feathers

were starting to scorch. Sampati, as any good elder brother will do, flew

in front of Jarayu and opened his wings wide providing a shield between

his brother and the unrelenting heat of the Sun God.

Unfortunately, his bravery and concern for his brother meant that it was

Sampati’s wings that burnt, and he fell down in the direction of the

Vindhya mountains.

Sampati was unable to take to the sky ever again, and he lived the rest

of his live being cared for by Nishakara, a sage living in the Vindhya

mountains.

Jatayu never met with his brother again, so not only did Sampati lose his

ability to fly, but he also lost his relationship with his brother. All for a

wager made in the stupidity of youth.