Shloka 4.58.25

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

Devanagari script

लङ्कायामथ गुप्तायां सागरेण समन्ततः।सम्प्राप्य सागरस्यान्तं सम्पूर्णं शतयोजनम्।।4.58.24।।आसाद्य दक्षिणं तीरं ततो द्रक्ष्यथ रावणम्।तत्रैव त्वरिताः क्षिप्रं विक्रमध्वं प्लवङ्गमाः।।4.58.25।।

Transliteration

jñānena khalu paśyāmi dṛṣṭvā pratyāgamiṣyatha |

ādyaḥ panthāḥ kuliṅgānāṃ ye cānye dhānya-jīvinaḥ || 4.58.26 ||

dvitīyo bali-bhojānāṃ ye ca vṛkṣa-phalāśinaḥ |

bhāsās tṛtīyaṃ gacchanti krauñcāś ca kuraraiḥ saha || 4.58.27 ||

śyenāś caturthaṃ gacchanti gṛdhrā gacchanti pañcamam |

Translation

By inner insight I know this: having seen her, you will return. The first aerial course belongs to sparrows and other grain-eating birds; the second to those that feed on offerings and to those that live on tree-fruits. Cocks go by the third, with krauñcas and kuraras; hawks take the fourth, and vultures the fifth.

Context

'O monkeys traverse a hundred yojanas across the sea. On reaching the southern coast you will be able to see Ravana's Lanka defended and surrounded by the sea. Now proceed swiftly and prove your strength.

Characters & Entities

• Sampāti
• kuliṅga
• dhānya-jīvinaḥ (grain-eating birds)
• bali-bhojinaḥ (offering-eating birds)
• vṛkṣa-phalāśinaḥ (fruit-eating birds)
• bhāsa
• krauñca
• kurara
• śyena
• gṛdhra

FAQs

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

Dharma here is responsible guidance through knowledge: Sampāti uses insight and observed order (natural hierarchy of flight-paths) to encourage the mission with truthful assurance.

What is the narrative situation?

Sampāti reassures the searchers of success and describes graded aerial “paths” associated with different birds, reflecting his bird’s-eye knowledge of travel and space.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Jñāna (wise foresight): confidence grounded in understanding, not mere hope, strengthening collective resolve for a righteous objective.