Sampati Sees What the Monkeys Cannot, but Age Keeps Him from Their Flight
Kishkindha Kanda, Doha 28
Doha 28 · Movement 2 of 2
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Across the hundred-yojana distance, Sampati's vulture sight reaches Lanka. The monkeys stare toward an empty horizon, but the old bird can see the sorrowing queen they have sought through forest, cave, and mountain.
He tells them plainly that Sita is visible to him though she is invisible to them. Distance has not defeated the extraordinary reach placed within his eyes.
Age, however, has overtaken the body beneath that vision. Were he not old, Sampati would do more than speak. He would go with them and offer active help. The searchers now possess a destination given by one who can see the goal but cannot make the crossing.
The old vulture can see Lanka clearly, but another body must cross the sea his eyes have crossed.
Read the passage from the Manas
मैं देखउँ तुम्ह नाहि गीघहि दष्टि अपार।। बूढ भयउँ न त करतेउँ कछुक सहाय तुम्हार।।28।।
'I can see her, though you cannot, for a vulture's vision reaches beyond all measure. But I have grown old now. Otherwise I would certainly have come to your aid.'