Introduction
Sampaati informs Angada about Seetha, Ravana, and Lanka after narrating his and his brother Jataayu’s flights and plights. Sampaati narrates what he has seen when Seetha was abducted by Ravana and concludes her to be Seetha for she was incessantly calling for Rama’s help. He gives an account of the lavish city Lanka as an eagle which has seen that city from this shore of ocean, though he cannot fly as the scorching sun previously burnt both of his wings. Then the returnless monkeys on getting a bare beacon of indication from the lighthouse called Sampaati, they feel highly rejoiced on the seashore.
Verse 1
इति उक्तः करुणम् वाक्यम् वानरैः त्यक्त जीवितैः |
स बाष्पो वानरान् गृध्रः प्रत्युवाच महास्वनः || ४-५८-१
When those monkeys whose lives are almost purged spoke to Sampaati with such dreary words, that thunder-voiced eagle tearfully spoke to those vanara-s. [4-58-1]
1. tyakta jiivitaiH vaanaraiH = with [almost] purged, lives, by vanara-s; iti karuNam vaakyam uktaH = in this way, in dreary, words, one who is spoken to – Sampaati; mahaa svanaH gR^idhraH = thunder, voiced, eagle [Sampaati]; sa baaSpaH = with, tears; vaanaraan uvaaca = to vanara-s, spoke.
Verse 2
यवीयान् मम स भ्राता जटायुः नाम वानराः |
यम् आख्यात हतम् युद्धे रावणेन बलीयसा || ४-५८-२
“Oh, vanara-s, of whom it is enounced that mighty Ravana felled him in a combat, that one is my younger brother named Jatayu… [4-58-2]
2. vaanaraaH = oh, vanara-s; yam = whom; baliiyasaa raavaNena = by mighty one, by Ravana; yuddhe hatam [iti] aakhyaata = in combat, felled, [thus,] being said; jaTaayuH naama = Jataayu, named one; saH mama yaviiyaan bhraataa = he is, mine, younger, brother.
Verse 3
वृद्ध भावात् अपक्षत्वात् शृण्वन् तत् अपि मर्षये |
न हि मे शक्तिः अद्य अस्ति भ्रातुः वैर विमोक्षणे || ४-५८-३
“Even though I hear that my brother is slain I have to resign myself from any activity owing to my oldness and my winglessness, and presently I am indeed incapacitated to retaliate my brother’s enemy… [4-58-3]
3. tat shR^iNvan api = that, though hearing, even; vR^iddha bhaavaat = old, owing to [oldness]; a pakSatvaat = without, wings [owing to winglessness]; marSaye = I have to resign myself; me adya = to me, now – presnetly I am; bhraatuH vaira vimokSaNe = brother’s, enemy’s, to release [to retaliate]; shaktiH na asti hi = capacity, not, is there, indeed.
Verse 4
पुरा वृत्र वधे वृत्ते स च अहम् च जय एषिणौ |
आदित्यम् उपयातौ स्वो ज्वलंतम् रश्मि मालिनम् || ४-५८-४
“Once, when the elimination of demon Vritta was taking place at the hand of Indra, we two eagle-brothers sportively desiring to surpass each other flew sunward, and we have gone very near to the scorch-rayed sun… [4-58-4]
4. puraa vR^itra vadhe vR^itte = once, demon Vritta’s, elimination, was taking place; saH ca aham ca = he, also, I, also; jaya eSiNau = surpassing, desiring us two; jvalantam rashmi maalinam = scorching, rays, having [sun]; aadityam upa yaatau = to sun, near, we travelled; svaH = we are happening to be – [in historical present tense,] we happened to be – we flew sunward.
Verse 5
आवृत्य आकाश मार्गेण जवेन स्वर् गतौ भृशम् |
मध्यम् प्राप्ते च सूर्ये च जटायुः अवसीदति || ४-५८-५
“Covering the skyway we have gone to firmament much speedily, then bechanced is noontide and thus bechanced is the scorching of the noontime sun, and then Jataayu started to founder… [4-58-5]
5. aakaasha maargeNa aavR^itya = by sky, way, spreading over – covering [the sky]; bhR^isham javena svar gatau = with high, speed, to firmament, we have gone; [jvalantam] suurye = [scorching of] sun; madhyam praapte [tu] = mid [day, noontide,] bechanced, when; jaTaayuH avasiidati = Jataayu, [started to] founder.
Verse 6
तम् अहम् भ्रातरम् दृष्ट्वा सूर्य रश्मिभिः अर्दितम् |
पक्षाभ्यम् छादयामास स्नेहात् परम विह्वलम् || ४-५८-६
“On seeing him who is being thwarted by scorching sunrays, then I started to cover my highly fretful brother with both of my wings in all my brotherliness… [4-58-6]
6. bhraataram tam = brother, at him; suurya rashmibhiH arditam = by sun’s, rays, one who is thwarted; dR^iSTvaa = on seeing; him, who is; parama vihvalam = highly, fretful [Jataayu]; aham = I have; snehaat = by friendship [by brotherliness]; pakSaabhyam Chaadayaamaasa = by [my] both wings, I started to cover.
Verse 7
निर्दग्ध पत्रः पतितो विन्ध्ये अहम् वानरर्षभाः |
अहम् अस्मिन् वसन् भ्रातुः प्रवृत्तिम् न उपलक्षये || ४-५८-७
“And oh, vanara-chiefs, when sunrays have utterly burned my wings I fell down on this Mt. Vindhya, and while living hereabouts constrainedly, I could pay no attention to my brother’s experiences or, at least his existence, or otherwise…” So lamented old Sampaati. [4-58-7]
7. vaanararSabhaaH = oh, vanara chiefs; aham = I; nir dagdha patraH = with completely, burnt, wings; vindhye patitaH = in Vindhya [mountains, I] fell down; asmin = in there – in Vindhya range; vasan = while living [constrainedly]; aham bhraatuH pravR^ittim = I, brother’s, experiences [tidings]; na upa lakSaye = not, towards, I marked out – I gave no attention.
Verse 8
जटायुषः तु एवम् उक्तो भ्रात्रा सम्पातिना तदा |
युव राजो महाप्राज्ञः प्रत्युवाच अंगदः तदा || ४-५८-८
When Sampaati the brother of Jataayu spoke in that way, then the highly discerning crown prince Angada replied him. [4-58-8]
8. tadaa = then; jaTaayuSaH bhraatraa sampaatinaa = Jataayu’s, brother, by Sampaati; evam uktaH = in that way, he who is spoken – Angada; mahaa praaj~naH = highly, discerning; yuva raajaH angadaH = young, king [crown prince,] Angada; tadaa prati uvaaca = again, replied.
Verse 9
जटायुषो यदि भ्राता श्रुतम् ते गदितम् मया |
आख्याहि यदि जानासि निलयम् तस्य रक्षसः || ४-५८-९
“If you are the brother of Jataayu, if you have heard whatever I have said in praise of Jataayu, and if you are aware of the whereabouts of Ravana… please tell it… [4-58-9]
9. te gaditam = by you, said; mayaa shrutam = by me, heard – I consider what you have said; jaTaayuSaH bhraataa yadi = of Jataayu, you are brother, if; jaanaasi yadi = you know, if; tasya rakSasaH nilayam = that, demon’s, residence [whereabouts]; aakhyaahi = you tell; [or, yadi jaTaayuSaH bhraataa asi = if, Jataayu’s, brother, you are; yadi mayaa gaditam te shrutam = if, by me, said, by you, heard. That is, ‘if you are the brother of Jataayu and if you have heard whatever I have said in praise of Jataayu, you please tell…]
Verse 10
अदीर्घ दर्शिनम् तम् वा रावणम् राक्षसाधिपम् |
अन्तिके यदि वा दूरे यदि जानासि शंस नः || ४-५८-१०
“If you are aware of the location of that bigoted and knavish demon Ravana, please inform us. Doesn’t matter whether that location is nearby or far off as we can search far and wide…” Thus Angada asked Sampaati. [4-58-10]
10. a diirgha darshinam = not, long, sighted [near-sighted, bigoted]; raakshasa adhamam = demon, knavish; tam raavaNam = about him, that Ravana; antike vaa = [his location,] nearby, whether; duure yadi vaa = faraway, if, or; jaanaasi yadi = you know, if; naH shamsa = to us, you inform.
Verse 11
ततो अब्रवीत् महातेजा भ्राता ज्येष्ठो जटायुषः |
आत्म अनुरूपम् वचनम् वानरान् संप्रहर्षयन् || ४-५८-११
Then Sampaati, the high-spirited elder brother of Jataayu, spoke these words that are self-befitting and that would highly gladden the monkeys. [4-58-11]
11. tataH = then; jaTaayuSaH jyeSThaH bhraataa = of Jataayu, elder, brother; mahaa tejaa = high, spirited – Sampaati; vaanaraan = monkeys; sam pra harSayan = well, highly, gladdening; aatma anuruupam = self, befitting; vacanam = words; abraviit = spoke.
Verse 12
निर्दग्ध पक्षो गृध्रो अहम् गत वीर्यः प्लवम् गमाः |
वाङ् मात्रेण तु रामस्य करिष्ये साह्यम् उत्तमम् || ४-५८-१२
“I am an eagle with utterly burnt wings and vanished valiance, even then, I wish to render a best service in the task of Rama, at least verbally… [4-58-12]
12. plavam gamaaH = oh, fly-jumpers; nirdagdha pakSaH = completely burnt, one having such wings; gata viiryaH = vanished, valiance; gR^idhraH aham = eagle, I am; vaak maatreNa tu = verbally, in the least, but; raamasya uttamam saahyam kariSye = of Rama [task,] best, service, I wish to render.
Verse 13
जानामि वारुणान् लोकान् विष्णोः त्रैविक्रमान् अपि |
देव असुर विमर्दाम् च हि अमृतस्य च मंथनम् || ४-५८-१३
“I have seen the netherworlds of Rain-god viz., earth and its substrata like atala. vitala, sutala, paataala terrains… and I have even seen those empyrean worlds that were triply trodden by Vishnu, and the intermediary regions of upper and lower worlds where gods and demons combated ghastlily, and because I am that aged I have also seen the unseeable Milky Ocean when it was churned for ambrosia… [4-58-13]
13. vaaruNaan lokaan = pertaining to Rain-god, [nether] worlds; trai vikramaan = pertaining to triple treading [on all universe]; viSNoH api [lokaan] = of Vishnu, even, [about upper worlds – trodden by Vishnu]; deva asura vi mardaam ca = gods, demons, ghastly, combats, also; amR^itasya manthanam ca = ambrosia’s, churning, also; jaanaami = I know [I saw]
Verse 14
रामस्य यत् इदम् कार्यम् कर्तव्यम् प्रथमम् मया |
जरया च हतम् तेजः प्राणाः च शिथिला मम || ४-५८-१४
“It is I who am to render service in this task of Rama firstly, than you vanara-s, as the common enemy of Rama and Jataayu is my first enemy, but I am decrepit as oldness has marred my vigour and vitality… [4-58-14]
14. raamasya yat idam kaaryam = Rama’s, that which, this, task – is there, that one is; maya prathamam kartavyam = by me, firstly, to be done; jarayaa mama tejaH hatam = by oldness, my, vigour is, marred; praaNaaH ca shithilaa = vitality, is also, decrepit.
Verse 15 & 16
तरुणी रूप संपन्ना सर्व आभरण भूषिता |
ह्रियमाणा मया दृष्टा रावणेन दुरात्मना || ४-५८-१५
क्रोशन्ती राम राम इति लक्ष्मण इति च भामिनी |
भूषणानि अपविध्यन्ती गात्राणि च विधुन्वती || ४-५८-१६
“I have seen a youngish lady while she is being stolen away by the black-hearted demon Ravana. She richly in her mien, embellished with every befitting jewellery for a princess, and that lady in fury was bewailing calling, ‘Rama… Rama…’ even calling ‘Lakshmana…’ and she was throwing her ornaments down and her limbs were highly wriggly to set herself free from that demon… [4-58-15, 16]
15. dur aatmanaa = by black, hearted one; raavaNena hriyamaaNaa = by Ravana, being stolen away; taruNii = a young lady; ruupa sampannaa = in mien, richly; sarva aabharaNa bhuuSitaa = all [every,] jewellery, embellished with; raama raama iti = Rama, Rama, thus; lakSmaNa iti ca = Lakshmana, thus, even; kroshantii = she who is bewailing; bhuuSaNaani apa vidhyantii = ornament, down, throwing; gaatraaNi vi dhunvatii ca = limbs, highly, wriggling, also; bhaaminii = a lady in fury; mayaa dR^iSTaa = by me, seen.
Verse 17
सूर्य प्रभा इव शैल अग्रे तस्याः कौशेयम् उत्तमम् |
असिते राक्षसे भाति यथा वा तडित् अंबुदे || ४-५८-१७
“In the flank of that blackish demon her best ochry silk-sari was dazzling like sunshine atop a blackish mountain, or like lighting athwart a blackish ocean… [4-58-17]
17. asite raakSase = blackish, in demon [demon’s flank]; tasyaaH uttamam kausheyam = her, best, ochry silk sari; [asite] shaila agre = [blackish ] mountain, on top; suurya prabhaa iva = sun, shine, as with; vaa = or; [asite] ambude taDit yathaa = [in blakish,] in waters [of ocean,] lightning, as with; bhaati = dazzling.
Verse 18
ताम् तु सीताम् अहम् मन्ये रामस्य परिकीर्तनात् |
श्रूयताम् मे कथयतो निलयम् तस्य रक्षसः || ४-५८-१८
“Thus, I deem her to be Seetha by her excessive laudation of Rama, and let the location of that demon be heard from me while I say about it… [4-58-18]
18. raamasya pari kiirtanaat = Rama’s, excessive, by laudation of; taam tu siitaam aham manye = her, on her part, as Seetha, I, deem; tasya rakSasaH = of that, demon’s; nilayam = location; kathayataH = while I say; me shruuyataam = from me, you hear.
Verse 19
पुत्रो विश्रवसः साक्षात् भ्राता वैश्रवणस्य च |
अध्यास्ते नगरीम् लंकाम् रावणो नाम राक्षसः || ४-५८-१९
“Literally, he is the son of Vishravasa and brother of Kubera, and he presides over the city named Lanka and he is known as Ravana… [4-58-19]
19. vishravasaH putraH = of Vishravasa, son; saakSaat = manifestly [literally]; vaishravaNasya bhraataa ca = of Vaishravana [Kubera’s,] brother; raavaNaH naama = Ravana, known as; raakshasaH = a demon; lankaam nagariim adhyaaste = Lanka, city, presides over.
Verse 20
इतो द्वीपे समुद्रस्य संपूर्णे शत योजने |
तस्मिन् लंका पुरी रम्या निर्मिता विश्वकर्मणा || ४-५८-२०
“There is a lavish city in the oceanic island afar a hundred yojana-s all in all from here, which Vishvakarma, the Divine-Architect, has built, and it is called Lanka. [4-58-20]
20. itaH = from here; sampuurNe shata yojana = all in all, hundred, yojana-s – in distance; samudrasya dviipe [dviipaH] = in oceanic, island [an island – is there]; tasmin = therein; vishvakarmaNaa nirmitaa = by Vishvakarma, Divine-Architect, built; ramyaa lankaa purii = lavish. Lanka, city – is there.
Verse 21 & 22a
जांबूनदमयैः द्वारैः चित्रैः कांचन वेदिकैः |
प्रासादैः हेम वर्णैः च महद्भिः सुसमाकृता || ४-५८-२१
प्राकारेण अर्क वर्णेन महता च समन्विता |
“Its multi-storied buildings are built very symmetrically and they will be in golden tinge with completely golden doors. The golden podia of verandas are amazing. That city is securely enclosed in a gigantic rampart that will be dazzling in the colour of sun… [4-58-21, 22a]
21, 22a. jaambuunadamayaiH citraiH dvaaraiH = with completely golden, amazing, doors; kaancana vedikaiH = with golden, podia [of verandas]; hema varNaiH ca = golden, in tinge; mahadbhiH praasaadaiH = huge ones, with multi-storey buildings; su samaa kR^itaa = very, evenly [symmetrically,] made [built]; arka varNena = with sun, coloured – dazzling like sun; mahataa praakaareNa = with gigantic, rampart; sam anvitaa = well [securely,] joined [closed in.]
Verse 22b & 23
तस्याम् वसति वैदेही दीना कौशेय वासिनी || ४-५८-२२
रावण अन्तःपुरे रुद्धा राक्षसीभिः सुरक्षिता |
जनकस्य आत्मजाम् राज्ञः तस्याम् द्रक्ष्यथ मैथिलीम् || ४-५८-२३
“Therein that Lanka pitiable Vaidehi wearing ochry silk sari is lodged in the palace-chambers of Ravana, highly sentineled and baulked by demonesses, and you can find king Janaka’s daughter Maithili in there… [4-58-22b, 23]
22b, 23. diinaa = pitiable one; kausheya vaasinii = ochry-silk-sari, wearer of; vaidehii = such a Vaidehi; tasyaam = therein that Lanka; raavaNa antaHpure = in Ravana’s, palace-chambers; ruddhaa = baulked; raakSasiibhiH su rakSitaa = by demonesses, highly, sentineled; vasati = lives [she is lodged]; tasyaam = in there [in Lanka]; raaj~naH janakasya aatmajaam = king, Janaka’s, daughter; maithiliim = Maithili; drakSyatha = you can see [find.]
Verse 24 & 25
लंकायाम् अथ गुप्तायाम् सागरेण समंततः |
संप्राप्य सागरस्य अंतम् संपूर्णम् शत योजनम् || ४-५८-२४
आसाद्य दक्षिणम् तीरम् ततो द्रक्ष्यथ रावणम् |
तत्र एव त्वरिताः क्षिप्रम् विक्रमध्वम् प्लवंगमाः || ४-५८-२५
“Now, oh, fly-jumpers, first get to the other shore of the island in southern ocean, which ocean spans in an overalled width of hundred yojana-s from this side of seashore, then landing on the other seashore you can see Lanka secluded all around by ocean, and in such a water-walled Lanka you can see Ravana… hence, hurry up, and promptly triumph over Lanka… [4-58-24, 25]
24. plavamgamaaH = oh, fly-jumpers; sampuurNam shata yojanam = overalled, hundred, yojana-s [in width]; saagarasya antam sampraapya = ocean’s, end, [northern end of southern ocean – northern shoreline of island] on reaching; atha = now; dakSiNam tiiram aasaadya = southerly, shore [northern seashore of southerly island, Lanka,] on getting at; tataH = then; sam antataH = all over; saagareNa guptaayaam lankaayaam = by ocean, secluded, in [such water-walled] Lanka; raavaNam drakSyatha = Ravana, you can see; tvaritaaH = by hurrying up; tatra eva = there, only; kSipram = promptly; vikramadhvam = you triumph over
Verse 26 & 27
ज्ञानेन खलु पश्यामि दृष्ट्वा प्रत्यागमिष्यथ |
आद्यः पंथाः कुलिंगानाम् ये च अन्ये धान्य जीविनः || ४-५८-२६
द्वितीयो बलि भोजानाम् ये च वृक्ष फल अशिनः |
भासाः तृतीयम् गच्छन्ति क्रौन्चाः च कुररैः सह || ४-५८-२७
श्येनाः चतुर्थम् गच्छन्ति गृध्रा गच्छन्ति पंचमम् |
“I foresee by my prognosis that your sighting Seetha is definite at that place, and definite is your return from there. The first flight level of birds is that of the small Kulinga birds, house sparrows, songbirds and the like subsisting on food-grains. The second flight level is that of the birds that are the eaters of leftovers like crows and doves, or the eaters of tree-fruits like parrots. The third flight level is that of the wading birds like Bhaasa, Kraunca, Kurara birds and cranes, herons and the like. The fourth flight level is that of hawks and the fifth is that of the vultures. [4-58-26, 27, 28a]
26, 27, 28a. j~naanena pashyaami khalu = by gnosis [prognosis,] I see [foresee,] definitely; dR^iSTvaa prati aagamiSyatha = on [your] seeing [Seetha,] in turn [from there,] you will come back [return]; kulingaanaam = for Kulinga birds [like house sparrows]; anye dhaanya jiivinaH = other [similar birds,] on food-grains, which live on grain; ye = which – birds are there, for them; aadyaH panthaaH = first, [in sky they fly in] path – level of flight; bali bhojaanaam = leftovers, for the eaters of [like crows etc which eat leftovers]; vR^ikSa phala ashinaH = for tree, fruits, eaters – like parrots etc; dvitiiyaH = second – is their flight path; bhaasaaH = for Bhaasa birds [like parrots]; kuraraiH saha = Kurara birds, along with; krauncaaH ca = Kraunca birds, also; tR^itiiyam gacChanti = in third [flight path,] they will be going; shyenaaH caturtham gacChanti = hawks, in fourth [flight path,] go [fly-by]; gR^idhraa pancamam gacChanti = vultures, in fifth [flight path,] will be flying.
Verse 28 & 29
बल वीर्य उपपन्नानाम् रूप यौवन शालिनाम् || ४-५८-२८
षष्ठः तु पन्था हंसानाम् वैनतेय गतिः परा |
वैनतेयात् च नः जन्म सर्वेषाम् वानरर्षभाः || ४-५८-२९
“And the sixth flight level is that of the swans which derive their valour, vigour, handsomeness and youthfulness by their majestic birth. But the uppermost path is that of the sons of Lady Vinata, namely the Divine Eagle Garuda, and Anuuru, the non-stopping charioteer of Sun. Because we eagles have our lineal descent from the Divine Eagle, we can soar to the uppermost flyable path and see keenly… [4-58-28b, 29]
28b, 29. vaanararSabhaaH = oh, best vanara-s; bala viirya upapannaanaam = by valour, vigour, rich in; ruupa yauvana shaalinaam = handsomeness, youthfulness, bright with; hamsaanaam = [flight level] of swans; SaSThaH panthaa = sixth, flight path; vainateya = of Vianata’s sons [one Garuda, other Anuuru]; gatiH = course of; paraa = the next [uppermost than the sixth]; sarveSaam = all of us [the eagles]; naH janma = our, birth [lineage]; vainateyaat ca = from Divine Eagle, also.
Verse 30
गर्हितम् तु कृतम् कर्म येन स्म पिशित अशनाः |
प्रतिकार्यम् च मे तस्य वैरम् भ्रातृ कृतम् भवेत् ||४-५८-३०
“By which raw-flesh-eating demon this deplorable deed of abducting Seetha is done, if that demon is retaliated by Rama and you all, my vendetta towards the very same demon, caused by his animosity towards my brother Jataayu will also be fulfilled… [4-58-30]
30. yena = by whom – by Ravana; garhitam karma kR^itam = deplorable, deed is done; tasya pishita ashanaaH = to that, raw-flesh-eater; bhraatR^i kR^itam vairam = in respect of [my] brother, caused, animosity/vendetta; prati kaaryam = return, deed [retaliation]; bhavet = will result in [fulfilled]; sma = it will be.
Verse 31
इह स्थः अहम् प्रपश्यामि रावणम् जानकीम् तथा |
अस्माकम् अपि सौपर्णम् दिव्यम् चक्षुर् बलम् तथा || ४-५८-३१
“Staying here I am clearly seeing Ravana and like that Janaki… even for us eagles, our sight and power will be excellent like that of Garuda, the Divine Eagle… [4-58-31]
31. iha sthaH = here, staying; aham = I am; raavaNam tathaa jaanakiim = at Ravana, like that, at Janaki; pra pashyaami = clearly, seeing; asmaakam api = for us [eagles,] even; sauparNam = belonging to Suparna, namely Garuda, the Divine Eagle; divyam cakSuaH = excellent, eyes’ [sight]; tathaa balam = like that, power – we too have them.
Verse 32
तस्मात् आहार वीर्येण निसर्गेण च वानराः |
आयोजन शतात् साग्रात् वयम् पश्याम नित्यशः || ४-५८-३२
“Thereby, oh, vanara-s, dietetically and congenitally we eagles can always see till the end of hundred yojana-s, comprehensively… [4-58-32]
32. vaanaraaH = oh, vanara-s; tasmaat = thereby; vayam = we – eagles; aahaara viiryeNa = food, by the might of [dietetically mighty]; nisargeNa ca = lineage [congenitally,] also; sa agraat = with, end [till end, comprehensively]; aayojana shataat = end of yojana, hundred; nityashaH pashyaama = always, we can see.
Verse 33
अस्माकम् विहिता वृत्तिः निसार्गेण च दूरतः |
विहिता पाद मूले तु वृत्तिः चरण योधिनाम् || ४-५८-३३
“The leg-fighters, namely cocks, are destined to have their livelihood just at the base of their feet, but our livelihood is to be obtained from the farthest… alas… [4-58-33]
33. asmaakam = for us; vR^ittiH = livelihood; nisaargeNa = heritably; duurataH vihitaa ca = distantly, destined, alas; caraNa yodhinaam = for legs, fighters [cocks, fighters with legs in cockfights]; paada muule tu = at foot, base; vR^ittiH = livelihood; vihitaa = destined
Verse 34
उपायो दृश्यताम् कश्चित् लंघने लवण अंभसः |
अभिगम्य तु वैदेहीम् समृद्ध अर्था गमिष्यथ || ४-५८-३४
“Let some idea be searched to leap the salty ocean. For sure, you will return to Kishkindha on your finding Vaidehi, and on your becoming productive of you objective… [4-58-34]
34. lavaNa ambhasaH = salty, water container [ocean]; langhane = to leap; kashcit upaayaH dR^ishyataam = some, idea, may be looked over; vaidehiim abhi gamya = to Vaidehi, towards, going [finding]; samR^iddha artha = productive, of objective; gamiSyatha = you will return [to Kishkindha.]
Verse 35
समुद्रम् नेतुम् इच्छामि भवद्भिः वरुण आलयम् |
प्रदास्यामि उदकम् भ्रातुः स्वर् गतस्य महात्मनः || ४-५८-३५
“I wish you would shift me to the residence of Rain-god, namely the ocean, for oblating water in respect of my great-souled brother Jataayu who departed to heaven…” Thus Sampaati spoke to the monkeys. [4-58-35]
35. bhavadbhiH = by you [shifted]; varuNa aalayam = Rain-god’s, residence; samudram netum icChaami = to ocean, to reach, I wish to; svar gatasya mahaatmanaH bhraatuH = to heaven, one who has gone, great-souled one, for brother; udakam pra daasyaami = waters, verily, I oblate.
Verse 36 & 37
ततो नीत्वा तु तम् देशम् तीरे नद नदी पतेः |
निर्दग्ध पक्षम् संपातिम् वानराः सुमहौओजसः || ४-५८-३६
तम् पुनः प्रत्यानयित्वा वै तम् देशम् पतग ईश्वरम् |
बभूवुः वानरा हृष्टाः प्रवृत्तिम् उपलभ्य ते || ४-५८-३७
Then those vanara-s of utmost dynamism on taking wing-burnt-bird Sampaati to the husband rivulets and rivers, namely the ocean, placed him on the shoreline. Again, the vanara-s sincerely brought back that king of birds, Sampaati, after his offering oblations to Jataayu, and lodged him as a returnee at his own place. On deriving indication form Sampaati regarding Seetha, Ravana and Lanka, those returnless vanara-s returned to their search while their gladness returning to them. [4-58-36, 37]
36. su mahaa ojasaH = of very, great [utmost,] dynamism; vaanaraaH = vanara-s; nir dagdha pakSam = completely burnt, one with wings; sampaatim = Sampaati; tataH = then; nada nadii pateH = of rivulets, rivers, husband of – ocean; tiire = on shoreline; tam desham niitvaa = to that, place, on taking [Sampaati]; tam pataga iishvaram = him, birds’, king; punaH = again; tam desham = to that, to [his own] place; prati aanayitvaa = in turn, bringing back; after water oblations in sea; te vaanaraa = those, vanara-s; pravR^ittim = indication – of Seetha; upalabhya = deriving; hR^iSTaaH = gladdened [returned is their gladness]; babhuuvuH = they became.
