Rāmāyana |Kiṣkindha Kaṇḍa| Chapter 56

56. Sampathi Hears about Death of Jatāyu

[Sampathi who is wingless comes out of his cave and feels happy that he can eat all those monkeys. Angada seeing him talks about Jatāyu who gave up his life for the sake of Sītā.]

A deathless vulture king named Sampathi, the brother of Jatāyu who was prosperous and famous for his strength came to the mountainside where all those monkeys were seated aiming for fasting unto death. 56.1-56.2

Coming out of the cave of that great Vindhya mountain and then seeing those monkeys seated there he became happy and told these words. 56.3

"They say that In this world destiny comes in accordance with divine order and possibly because of that after a long time so much food has been brought before me." 56.4

"I would eat all these monkeys one after another as and when they die" said the bird after seeing those monkeys. 56.5

Angada hearing the words of the bird greedily waiting for food saying that he has now got the food, became very dejected and told Hanuman. 56.6

"You please see, that Vaivaswata who is the God of death Yama has arrived in the form of Sītā to kill all the monkeys." 56.7

"Rāma's work has not been done and Sugrīva's words have not been carried out and this great and unknown danger has befallen on the monkeys." 56.8

"You must have heard about the activities done in detail by Jatāyu the king of vultures for the sake of affection he had with Sītā." 56.9

"Thus all the beings born out of different type of wombs are trying to please Rāma, even by giving up their life, just like us." 56.10

"All of them help each other due to their love and compassion and Jatāyu for the sake of helping him gave up his own life." 56.11

"The righteous Jatāyu tried to help Rāma and we have got exhausted and now are giving up our life as have not been able to see Sītā in the forests that we searched." 56.12

"That happy vulture king was killed by Rāvaṇa in battle and we are going to attain salvation to get rid of the fear of Sugrīva." 56.13

"Due to the death of Jatāyu and that of Dasaratha as well as the abduction of Sītā, all the monkeys are in a doubtful situation." 56.14

"The living in the forest of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa along with Sītā, the killing of Vali by one arrow of Rāma and death of several Rākṣasas in the hand of Rāma are all the evil consequences due to granting of boon to Kaikeyi." 56.15-56.16

Hearing that sad narration from the monkeys, who were lying on the ground. that wise king of vultures was greatly shaken up mentally. 56.17

This is the end of Fifty Sixth Sarga of Kiṣkindha Kanda which occurs in Holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki as the First Epic.