Shloka 4.58.21

सम्पातिवाक्यम् (Sampāti’s Counsel and the Revelation of Laṅkā)

Devanagari script

जाम्बूनदमयैर्द्वारैश्चित्रैः काञ्चनवेदिकैः।प्रासादैर्हेमवर्णैश्च महद्भिः सुसमा कृता।।4.58.21।।प्राकारेणार्कवर्णेन महता च समान्विता।

Transliteration

vṛddhabhāvād apakṣatvāc chṛṇvaṃs tad api marṣaye |

na hi me śaktir asty adya bhrātur vaira-vimokṣaṇe || 4.58.3 ||

Translation

Even after hearing of it, I can only endure it; for now I have no strength—because of old age and winglessness—to exact vengeance for my brother.

Context

'The city has golden gates, golden platforms, huge, golden-coloured, uniformly built mansions surrounded by a tall boundary wall of the colour of sunlight.

Characters & Entities

• Sampāti
• brother (Jaṭāyu, implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is truthful self-assessment and restraint: Sampāti acknowledges his limits (age, lack of wings) and refuses rash vengeance that he cannot righteously accomplish.

What is the narrative situation?

Sampāti, hearing about his brother’s fate, speaks to the vānara searchers and admits he cannot avenge his brother due to his physical incapacity.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and realism (ātma-jñāna): the capacity to accept one’s condition and not let grief drive one into futile or unethical action.