On their way to Panchavati, Rama beheld a bird, with a large body. Deeming it to be a rakshasa in disguise, Rama and Lakshmana challenged it. The challenge was met with a gentle and caressing voice, "Children! Know me to be a friend of your father". Overwhelmed with joy at meeting some one dear to their father in that wilderness, they paid him homage and asked him of his name and lineage. The bird then embarked on the story of his birth, "Listen and I will tell you the names of all the Prajapathis that formerly ruled this earth bound by the oceans. The first among them was Kardama. Vikreeta, Sesha, Samsraya, Sthanu, Marichi, Atri, Kratu, Paulatsya, Angirasa, Prachetasa, Pulaha, Daksha, Vivaswata and Arishtineni followed him. Kasyapa was the last of these great men. Kasyapa Prajapathi married eight of the sixty daughters of Daksha Prajapathi. One of them was known as Syeni who married Aruna, charioteer of the Sun. Aruna was the son of Vinata and brother of Garuda. Syeni and Aruna begot two sons, both eagles. I am Jatayu, the younger of the two and Sampathi is the name of my brother. These forests are full of peril and disasters lurk, at every stage. If you so desire I will live with you, as your companion and Sita's guard." Embracing Jatayu with great affection, Rama thanked him and gratefully accepted his offer.