The Complete Life of Rama by Vanamali

Author:Vanamali
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Religion/Hinduism
Publisher: Inner Traditions/Bear & Company
Published: 2014-06-26T16:00:00+00:00

Shyamangaya Namaha!

CANTO IV

The Eagle's Counsel

Yatra, yatra Raghunatha keertanam!

Tatra, tatra, kritamastakamjalim,

Bashpavariparipoorna lochanam!

Marutim namati rakshasanthakam!

Wherever the name of Rama is chanted,

There does Hanuman, destroyer of the demons, reside,

With overflowing eyes and bowed head.

In one of the caves nearby lived an old eagle called Sampati, who was the brother of Jatayu. He had not eaten for quite a while since he had lost the strength to look for food. Hearing the noise made by the monkeys, he came out of his cave and found them all lying on the shore, waiting for death.

“Today fortune has indeed favored me. I have not eaten for days and here are some delicious monkeys, all laid out in neat rows, waiting for me to go and eat them!” With these words the bird started to hop toward them, since he did not have any wings. The monkeys heard him say this to himself and became frightened. They did not wish to be eaten alive by an eagle, even though they were prepared to fast to death.

Angada started lamenting over their fate to Hanuman, “Just look at our fate. This bird looks as if he is Yama himself coming to make an end of us. It is said that all birds and animals love Rama. Even the old eagle Jatayu was prepared to give up his life for his sake.”

When Sampati heard the name of his brother, he called out, “Who are you? What do you know of my brother Jatayu? How did he die? Tell me everything.”

At first the monkeys were suspicious but soon they started to talk and gave him all their news. Sampati’s eyes filled with tears when he heard of the fate of his younger brother and he wept bitterly. Angada now asked him how he knew Jatayu.

Sampati said, “Jatayu was my younger brother. When we were young we had a competition and flew straight at the sun. When it started to get really hot, I protected Jatayu with my wings so that he escaped and I fell to the ground with burned wings. I have not seen him since.”

Then Angada told him the story of Rama and why they had come there, and asked him if he knew anything about Ravana.

Sampati said, “I saw Sita being carried away by that wicked rakshasa. He held her in a fierce grip while she did her best to wriggle out of his grasp. She was crying out piteously for Rama and Lakshmana. I will tell you where Ravana lives.”

A flash of hope dawned in the hearts of all the monkeys when they heard this, and they crowded round the old bird and begged him to tell them all he knew.

He continued, “Ravana is the son of Vishravas and his capital is the city of Lanka. It is on an island and Sita is a prisoner in his palace. With my eagle’s keen vision I can see all the way to Lanka. If any of you is capable of crossing the sea, you will be able to see her as I can see her with my eagle eyes.

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