Shloka 4.56.16

सम्पातिदर्शनम् (Encounter with Sampāti) — Angada’s Lament and the Vulture-King’s Response

Devanagari script

रामलक्ष्मणयोर्वासश्च अरण्ये सह सीतया।।4.56.15।।राघवस्य च बाणेन वालिनश्च तथा वधः।रामकोपादशेषाणां रक्षसानां तथा वधः।।4.56.16।।कैकेय्या वरदानेन इदं च विकृतं कृतम्।

Transliteration

kandarād abhiniṣkramya sa vindhyasya mahāgireḥ |

upaviṣṭān harīn dṛṣṭvā hṛṣṭātmā giram abravīt ||

Translation

Emerging from a cave of the great Vindhya mountain, he saw the monkeys seated there; pleased at heart, he spoke these words.

Context

'The exile of Rama and Lakshmana into the forest along with Sita, so also the death of Vali and of the demons in the hands of Rama due to his anger are all evil consequences of a boon granted to Kaikeyi.'

Characters & Entities

• Sampāti
• Vindhya mountain
• Cave
• Vānara-s (monkeys)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma often advances through unexpected encounters: even in moments of collective despair, circumstances can arise that redirect one back to rightful action. The verse prepares the moral lesson that one should not abandon duty prematurely.

What is the narrative situation?

Sampāti comes out from his cave on Vindhya, sees the vanaras seated for prāya (fasting unto death), and begins to speak.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Alertness to opportunity: the scene sets up how a chance meeting can become a means for restoring purpose and right action.