Shloka 4.56.2
सम्पातिदर्शनम् (Encounter with Sampāti) — Angada’s Lament and the Vulture-King’s Response
उपविष्टास्तु ते सर्वे यस्मिन्प्रायं गिरिस्थले।हरयो गृध्रराजश्च तं देशमुपचक्रमे।।4.56.1।।सम्पातिर्नाम नाम्ना तु चिरञ्जीवी विहङ्गमः।भ्राता जटायुषः श्रीमान्विख्यातबलपौरुषः।।4.56.2।।
paramparāṇāṃ bhakṣiṣye vānarāṇāṃ mṛtaṃ mṛtam |
uvācedaṃ vacaḥ pakṣī tān nirīkṣya plavaṅgamān ||
Gazing upon those leaping monkeys, the bird said: “I shall eat the vānara one after another—each as it dies.”
While the monkeys were preparing to fast unto death on the plateau of the mountain, Sampati, the prosperous king of vultures, the longlived elder brother of Jatayu widely known for his strength, appeared there.
Dharma is tested under desperation: hunger tempts one toward cruelty. The verse foregrounds adharma as a narrative foil, soon to be corrected when Sampāti learns their righteous mission connected to Rāma.
Sampāti openly states his intention to feed on the vanaras who are waiting to die by fasting.
By contrast, it highlights the virtue needed next—compassion and protection of those engaged in a righteous cause.