High into the air flew the chariot, Sita screaming for help. A heroic attempt to help came in the form of Jatayu, an ancient vulture who had been a friend of Rama’s father King Dasarath. Jatayu was no ordinary bird, and he attacked Ravana, destroying the chariot. Ravana, however, shot Jatayu full of arrows. They all fell to earth. Jatayu lay mortally wounded, and Ravana clutched Sita and flew off with her without the help of his chariot