Ravana has abducted Seeta and is carrying her off to Lanka. As he travels towards his kingdom, the good vulture Jatayu notices the abduction and tries to stop Ravana. The powerful bird thwarts Ravana who raises to the challenge. In this painting Raja Ravi Varma captures the moment of aerial combat between Ravana lops off Jatayu's wing. Seeta cringes at the sight of Jatayu being dismembered and covers her eyes in fright.