Shloka 5
सम्पातिदर्शनम् (Encounter with Sampāti)
Angada’s Lament and the Vulture-King’s Response
परम्पराणां भक्षिष्ये वानराणां मृतं मृतम्।उवाचेदं वचः पक्षी तान्निरीक्ष्य प्लवङ्गमान्।।।।
paramparāṇāṃ bhakṣiṣye vānarāṇāṃ mṛtaṃ mṛtam |
uvācedaṃ vacaḥ pakṣī tān nirīkṣya plavaṅgamān ||
ಆ ಹಾರಾಡಿ ಜಿಗಿಯುವ ವಾನರರನ್ನು ನೋಡುತ್ತ ಪಕ್ಷಿಯು ಹೇಳಿತು: “ವಾನರರನ್ನು ಕ್ರಮಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ—ಯಾರು ಯಾರು ಸಾಯುವರೋ ಅವರ ಮೃತದೇಹವನ್ನು ನಾನು ಭಕ್ಷಿಸುವೆನು.”
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.
FAQs
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.