Shloka 4.61.16

सूर्यानुगमनवृत्तान्तः — The Account of Following the Sun

Devanagari script

आशङ्के तं निपतितं जनस्थाने जटायुषम्।अहं तु पतितो विन्ध्ये दग्धपक्षो जडीकृतः।।।।

Transliteration

jaṭāyur mām anāpṛcchya nipapāta mahīṃ tataḥ | taṃ dṛṣṭvā tūrṇam ākāśād ātmānaṃ muktavān aham ||

Translation

Without taking leave of me, Jatāyu plunged down to the earth; seeing him, I too quickly let myself drop from the sky.

Context

'I thought Jatayu had fallen down somewhere at Janasthana, but I fell on Vindhya, wings burnt, in an unconscious state.

Characters & Entities

• Sampāti
• Jatāyu
• Mahī (Earth)
• Ākāśa (sky)

FAQs

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

It highlights responsibility in companionship: one responds immediately to another’s perilous action, even when communication fails.

What is the narrative situation?

Jatāyu abruptly descends; Sampāti follows him down from the sky.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Promptness and concern for another (anukampā, readiness to act).