Sugreeva sent many groups of mighty monkeys in different parts of the country to search Sita.
A group consisting of Hanuman, under the leadership of prince Angad was badly depressed as they had not traced Sita till only few days were left to report to Sugreeva about their finding. They were discussing their further strategies sitting on the Vindhya Mountain, where the old, famous and mighty vulture, Sampaati, brother of Jataayu lived. He was unable to fly as his feathers were left with no strength and were burnt. He used to catch his prey by running around. His mighty son Supaarshwa took care of him.
When he saw monkeys sitting there in huge number, he was pleased and thanked god for sending so much food for him. When monkeys came to know about his intentions they started criticizing him and talking about Jataayu and his greatness who sacrificed his life while protecting Sita, from RaavaN. This talk alarmed Sampati. When he heard that his brother died. His eyes filled with tears and he told to monkeys in his emotion charged Voice that he is the elder brother of Jataayu. He could have taken revenge from RaavaN and have killed him by flying to Lanka alone, but his feathers are burnt and he is left with no any strength of flying. He told to monkeys that he had unparallel strength in his youth. He was able to go anywhere and fly up to any height. When he came to know that Indra, the king of gods has defeated mighty Vritraasur, he thought of judging his strength by defeating Indra, flying to Heaven. He flew to heaven with his younger brother Jataayu and defeated Indra. While returning back they wanted to enjoy having some rounds of the sun. They did so, but Jataayu could not wear the heat of sun and was completely exhausted and started falling down on the earth fast. Seeing his life in danger I covered his body with my feathers .In doing so my feathers were burnt and I fell down on this mountain.'
Sampati told to monkeys that he is very old. He has seen all lokas. He has travelled far and near everywhere. He has measured all the heights with his mighty feathers. He knows how Vishnu, as incarnation of Vaaman, measured the whole universe in his three steps. He has seen the big war between gods and demons as well as he has
Witnessed the great event of churning of the ocean.
He also said that every bird has a limited capacity to fly and they differ from one to the other in strength. Sparrows are the least flyers; crows can go higher than them. Bhaas, herons and ospreys come in third order. Hawks are big flyers and they are graded fourth in order. Vultures cover still higher flights and they are graded as fifth in order. Among birds, Swans, the Garuda, descent of AruN and son of Vinita are the greatest flyers and they have no parallel in strength and virility. Saying this Sampaati, the great bird, stopped for a moment and said further O leader's monkeys! We vultures also claim to belonging to the descent of the same AruN, mothered by Shyeni. We vultures have sharp eyesight and are capable to see more than eight hundred miles from here.' He further said that the beautiful woman is abducted by evil - minded and dark colored RaavaN, son of Vishravaa. He lives in famous island named Lanka situated in the sea and eight hundred miles away from here. The beautiful woman, who looked like lightning in the black cloud, being carried by RaavaN, is still alive; I can see her from here. He also said that Sita was seen by his mighty son Supaarshwa when he had gone to prey for my food on the mountain Mahendra. Sita dropped some of her cloths there.
Sampaati continued with a little pause as if he was looking something deep within himself.' Some eight thousand years back, I was left with nothing after losing my feathers, kingdom and my only brother Jataayu who fell down from the sky. I never knew where, before you told me about him. I preferred to die than to lead a life depending upon others for food and other needs of life. Before killing myself I met famous seer Nishaakar, who could recognize me with great difficulty. He told me that he can give me new feathers immediately, but he will not do so. He told me that some eight thousand years later a great son of king Dashrath, named Ram will be exiled and his wife named Sita will be abducted by the monster king RaavaN of Lanka...I will have to survive till that time as I too have some role to play in his tuff task . He also said that I will get new wings, new life with fresh vitality after doing my job for Ram.
Two new fresh red wings came out from his body while he was talking to Angad and other monkeys. This filled him with great pleasure and tremendous vitality. He announced the words of the great seer rishi have come true. You will soon be able to reach Lanka and meet Sita and Ram will defeat RaavaN. Now you prepare yourself to cross the ocean.'
Saying so much, Sampaati, the great bird, flew from there towards the heights of sky fluttering his new mighty feathers in his high spirits. Monkeys kept on watching him till he disappeared from their eyes.
Valmiki has given involving description of these two mighty birds, Sampaati and Jataayu.
We cannot forget them. They cover a good part of our memory and appreciation for their strength, enthusiasm, and wisdom and cooperating spirit in favor of goodness even at the cost of their life.
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