Shloka 4.58.27

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

Devanagari script

ज्ञानेन खलु पश्यामि दृष्ट्वा प्रत्यागमिष्यथ।आद्यः पन्थाः कुलिङ्गानां ये चान्ये धान्यजीविनः।।4.58.26।।द्वितीयो बलिभोजानां ये च वृक्षफलाशिनः।भासास्तृतीयं गच्छन्ति क्रौञ्चाश्च कुररैस्सह।।4.58.27।।श्येनाश्चतुर्थं गच्छन्ति गृध्रा गच्छन्ति पञ्चमम्।

Transliteration

dvitīyo balibhojānāṃ ye ca vṛkṣaphalāśinaḥ |

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

Translation

The second course is for those that feed on offerings and for those that live on the fruits of trees. On the third course go the bhāsas, and also the krauñcas together with the kuraras.

Context

'By intuition I know you would see Sita and return. On the first plane you will see sparrows and birds which live on grain. On the second, you will see crows living on the food offered to the dead and birds living on the fruits of trees, and then cocks, cranes and kraunchas moving on the third plane, on the fourth, hawks and falcons and on the fifth, vultures.

Characters & Entities

• Sampāti
• Vānara
• balि (offerings)
• bhāsa
• krauñca
• kurara
• vṛkṣaphala

FAQs

How does this verse relate to Satya (truthfulness) in the Ramayana’s ethical frame?

Sampāti speaks with confidence grounded in knowledge/insight rather than flattery or guesswork; the orderly description of paths underscores truthful guidance given to aid a righteous mission (the search for Sītā).

Where is Dharma reflected in a verse that lists birds and paths?

Dharma here appears as responsible counsel: Sampāti supports the vānara-s in their duty by giving structured, reliable information, enabling them to proceed rightly and effectively in service of Rāma’s cause.