The following contains spoilers for The Mandalorian Season 3, Episode 4, "Chapter 20: The Foundling," now streaming on Disney+.
The Mandalorian is continuing to explore Grogu's past as a Jedi youngling during Order 66. In Season 2, Ahsoka Tano revealed that Grogu had been a youngling in the Jedi Temple during Order 66 and was saved by a Jedi Master. The Clones' attack on the Temple was then briefly glimpsed from Grogu's point of view on The Book of Boba Fett. The Mandalorian Season 3 goes a step further, with Episode 4, "The Foundling," featuring a full flashback to Grogu's rescue from the Temple by Jedi Master Kelleran Beq. However, it is not yet clear why Kelleran and other Jedi went to such lengths to save Grogu in particular.
"The Foundling" reveals that Grogu was being protected by four Jedi, who were all working to get him into the hands of Kelleran Beq and gave their lives to do so. Kelleran then collects Grogu, carrying him across Coruscant on a waiting speeder bike, with only enough room for himself and Grogu. Clearly, Kelleran only ever intended to save Grogu, raising the question of why the Jedi were more concerned with protecting this one youngling than any other. It is unlike the Jedi to value one life over another, suggesting Grogu had a specific purpose to fulfill.
Grogu's Mysterious History as a Jedi
Little is known of Grogu's life before Din Djarin found him, other than the fact he was originally a youngling in the Jedi Order and was saved from the Jedi Temple during Order 66. What has always been apparent, though, is his strength in the Force. The first time Grogu revealed his abilities to Din Djarin, he lifted a huge rhino-like Mudhorn into the air, and he has continued to grow in ability since then. Coupled with the fact that the only other members of his species to have been seen in Star Wars canon were also especially powerful Jedi, this may begin to explain Grogu's true significance.
Grogu may be the child of Yoda and Yaddle, potentially conceived purely to help preserve their incredibly rare species. While Grogu could not have been raised as the son of these Jedi Masters, due to the Jedi Order forbidding attachment, his origins may bestow particular importance upon his survival. The Jedi were unlikely to elevate Grogu above other younglings out of nepotism, but what has been seen of other members of Grogu's species could help explain why his safety was deemed so important.
Grogu's Role in the Future of the Jedi and the Force
Yoda's unnamed species, to which Grogu belongs, has a particularly strong connection to the Force. Only three members of this species -- Yoda, Yaddle and Grogu -- have been seen on screen. Yoda was Grand Master of the Jedi Order; Yaddle was accomplished enough to sit on the High Council, and Grogu's own power has been revealed on The Mandalorian. Perhaps the natural strength of this species in the Force made their preservation a matter of the utmost importance to the Jedi Order. Grogu's savior, Kelleran Beq, wears robes embroidered with Jedi text, reminiscent of the robes worn by Jedi librarian Jocasta Nu. Perhaps Kelleran is also a keeper of Jedi knowledge and took on the task of protecting this Force-sensitive species.
Beyond the Force powers exhibited by his species, it is also possible that Grogu specifically is of special importance to the Jedi Order. The Mandalorian is seeing him begin to embrace both Jedi and Mandalorian teachings, something that may give him a unique position in the galaxy. To date, the only other Mandalorian Jedi to have been referenced in Star Wars is Tarre Vizsla, the creator of the Darksaber. Maybe Grogu's destiny lies in allying the two ancient enemies, or perhaps his affinity for the Force is strong enough to play a key role in the galaxy's future -- something that could also explain the Imperial Remnant's interest in the former youngling.
New episodes of The Mandalorian Season 3 are available to stream every Wednesday on Disney+.