Sampati's Burned Wings Remember the Sun, and His Far Sight Finds Sita in Lanka
Kishkindha Kanda, Chaupai 28
Doha 28 · Movement 1 of 2
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After performing the rites for his younger brother, Sampati tells the monkeys of their youth. The two vultures once flew toward the sun. Jatayu turned back before the unbearable blaze, but proud Sampati pressed nearer. His wings burned in the immense radiance, and he fell to earth with a terrible cry.
A sage named Chandrama found him, gave knowledge, and removed pride born from the body. The sage foretold that in Treta, Brahman would assume a human body and a demon king would steal his beloved. When the Lord's messengers came searching, Sampati would be purified, his wings would return, and he must show them Sita.
That prophecy has ripened today. Sampati directs the warriors across the ocean to Lanka upon Mount Trikuta, where Ravana lives without fear. Within the Ashoka grove Sita sits absorbed in sorrow. A fall from the sun, years of waiting, and Jatayu's death now converge into the one distant sight the searchers could not obtain.
From the ocean shore, the vulture whose wings burned near the sun sees Sita beneath the trees of Lanka.
Read the passage from the Manas
अनुज क्रिया करि सागर तीरा। कहि निज कथा सुनहु कपि बीरा।। हम द्वौ बंधु प्रथम तरुनाई । गगन गए रबि निकट उडाई।। तेज न सहि सक सो फिरि आवा । मै अभिमानी रबि निअरावा ।। जरे पंख अति तेज अपारा । परेउँ भूमि करि घोर चिकारा ।। मुनि एक नाम चंद्रमा ओही। लागी दया देखी करि मोही।। बहु प्रकार तेंहि ग्यान सुनावा । देहि जनित अभिमानी छड़ावा ।। त्रेताँ ब्रह्म मनुज तनु धरिही। तासु नारि निसिचर पति हरिही।। तासु खोज पठइहि प्रभू दूता। तिन्हहि मिलें तैं होब पुनीता।। जमिहहिं पंख करसि जनि चिंता । तिन्हहि देखाइ देहेसु तैं सीता।। मुनि कइ गिरा सत्य भइ आजू । सुनि मम बचन करहु प्रभु काजू।। गिरि त्रिकूट ऊपर बस लंका । तहँ रह रावन सहज असंका ।। तहँ असोक उपबन जहँ रहई ।। सीता बैठि सोच रत अहई।।
After performing the funeral rites for his younger brother at the ocean shore, Sampati said, 'Listen to my tale, O brave monkeys.' We two brothers, in the vigor of our early youth, flew up into the sky, soaring near the sun. Unable to bear the blazing heat, my brother turned back. But I, full of pride, flew still closer. My wings were consumed by that boundless radiance, and I fell to earth with a terrible cry. A sage named Chandrama lived there. Seeing my wretched state, compassion arose in his heart. He imparted spiritual wisdom to me in many ways and freed me from the pride born of this body. He said, 'In the Treta Yuga, Brahman Himself will take a human form. A demon lord will abduct His beloved.' 'The Lord will send messengers to search for Her. When you meet them, you will be purified.' 'Your wings will grow back; do not despair. Show them Sita and give them your guidance.' The sage's words have come true this very day. Hearing my account, now go and accomplish your Lord's sacred work. Lanka sits atop Mount Trikuta, where Ravana dwells in fearless confidence. There, in the Ashoka garden, Sita sits, her heart consumed by sorrow.