Introduction
Sampaati narrates his legend to Angada and others. He explains how he has fallen on Mt. Vindhya and how he reached a sage called Nishaakara descending Mt. Vindhya with great difficulty.
Verse 1
ततः कृत उदकम् स्नातम् तम् गृध्रम् हरि यूथपाः |
उपविष्टा गिरौ रम्ये परिवार्य समन्ततः || ४-६०-१
Then the monkey commanders sat on that beautiful mountain surrounding the eagle from all over, after that eagle has offered water-oblations for his deceased Jataayu and bathed for purification. [4-60-1]
1. tataH = then; hari yuuthapaaH = monkey, commanders; kR^ita udakam = then, who made [offered,] water-oblations; snaatam = bathed [for purification ]; tam gR^idhram = him, that eagle; samantataH parivaarya = all over, surrounding him; ramye girau upaviSTaaH = on beautiful, mountain, they sat.
Verse 2
तम् अंगदम् उपासीनम् तैः सर्वैः हरिभिः वृतम् |
जनित प्रत्ययो हर्षात् संपातिः पुनः अब्रवीत् || ४-६०-२
Sampaati who earned trustworthiness of monkeys, and who is sitting surrounded by all monkeys, again gladly spoke to Angada who sat at his close by. [4-60-2]
2. taiH sarvaiH haribhiH vR^itam = by them, all, monkeys, surrounded by; upaasiinam = who sat nearby; tam angadam = to him, to Angada; janita pratyayaH = who caused, trust [trustworthy Sampaati]; sampaatiH = Sampaati; harSaat punaH abraviit = with gladness, again, spoke.
Verse 3
कृत्वा निःशब्दम् एक अग्राः शृण्वन्तु हरयो मम |
तथ्यम् संकीर्तयिष्यामि यथा जानामि मैथिलीम् || ४-६०-३
“Oh, monkeys, you all be quiet and listen to my words alertly as I wish to recount the actuality as to how I came to know about Maithili… [4-60-3]
3. harayaH = oh, monkeys; maithiliim yathaa jaanaami = about Maithili, as to how, I came to know; tathyam = in actuality; samkiirtayiSyaami = I wish to recount; niH shabdam kR^itvaa = without, sound, on making – you become silent, and; eka agraaH = single, pointedly [alertly]; mama shR^iNvantu = mine [words,] you listen.
Verse 4
अस्य विन्ध्यस्य शिखरे पतितो अस्मि पुरा अनघ |
सूर्य ताप परीत अंगो निर्दग्धः सूर्य रश्मिभिः || ४-६०-४
“Oh, impeccable Angada, once I have fallen on the peak of this Mt. Vindhya when sunrays completely burned my wings and limbs scorching in sun’s heat… [4-60-4]
4. anagha = oh, impeccable [Angada]; puraa = once; suurya rashmibhiH nirdagdhaH = by sunrays, completely, burnt down; suurya taapa pariita angaH = by sun’s, heat, overspread, limbs [sun’s heat overspreading my limbs]; asya vindhyasya shikhare = this, Vindhya’s, on peak; patitaH asmi = fallen, I was
Verse 5
लब्ध संज्ञः तु षड् रात्रात् विवशो विह्वलन् इव |
वीक्षमाणो दिशः सर्वा न अभिजानामि किंचन || ४-६०-५
“On getting sensitivity after six days, and on looking in all directions I could not recognise anything in the least, as I was helpless and frantic… [4-60-5]
5. SaD raatraat = six, nights after; labdha sanj~naH tu = on getting, sensitivity, but; vihvalan iva = frantic, like; vi vashaH = out, of control [helpless]; sarvaaH dishaH viikSamaaNaH = in all, directions, on looking; kimcana = in the least; na abhijaanaami = not, I recognised.
Verse 6
ततः तु सागरान् शैलान् नदीः सर्वाः सरांसि च |
वनानि च प्रदेशान् च समीक्ष्य मतिः आगताम् || ४-६०-६
“But then on observing all the oceans, mountains, rivers, lakes, provinces and forests, I could regain senses… [4-60-6]
6. tataH tu = then, but; sarvaaH saagaraan shailaan nadiiH = all, oceans, mountains, rivers; saraamsi ca vanaani ca pradeshaan ca = lakes, also, forests, also, provinces, also; niriikSya = on observing; matiH aagataam = to senses, came [I could sensate.]
Verse 7
हृष्ट पक्षि गण आकीर्णः कन्दर उदर कूटवान् |
दक्षिणस्य उदधेः तीरे विन्ध्यो अयम् इति निश्चितः || ४-६०-७
“Since this mountain is teeming with teams of birds, caves in its midriffs, and it is with peaks of its own kind, thus I resolved this to be Mt. Vindhya at the coast of southern ocean… [4-60-7]
7. hR^iSTa pakSi gaNa aakiirNaH = cheerful, bird, group [flocks, teams] teeming; kandara udara kuuTavaan = caves, at midriffs, with peaks; ayam = this one is this mountain is; dakSiNasya udadheH tire = southerly, ocean’s, at coast of; vindhyaH iti nishcitaH = Mt. Vindhya, thus, I resolved.
Verse 8
आसीत् च अत्र आश्रमम् पुण्यम् सुरैः अपि सुपूजितम् |
ऋषिः निशाकरो नाम यस्मिन् उग्र तपा अभवत् || ४-६०-८
“There was a sacred hermitage belonging to a sage of intense ascesis known as Sage Nishaakara which was reverenced even by gods. [4-60-8]
8. atra = there; suraiH api su puujitam = by gods, even, well, reverenced; puNyam aashramam aasiit = a sacred, hermitage, is there; yasmin = wherein; nishaakaraH naama = sage Nishaakara, known as; ugra tapaaH = of intense, ascesis; R^iSiH abhavat = a sage, was there.
Verse 9
अष्टौ वर्ष सहस्राणि तेन अस्मिन् ऋषिणा गिरौ |
वसतो मम धर्मज्ञो स्वर् गते तु निशाकरे || ४-६०-९
“Eight thousand years have lapsed while I was living here on this mountain after the departure of that probity knowing sage Nishakara to heaven. [4-60-9]
9. dharma j~naH = probity, knower of; nishaakare = of Nishaakara’s; svar gate tu = to heaven, after going, on his part; tena R^iSiNaa = by him, that sage; [vinaa = without]; asmin girau vasataH = on this, mountain, while living; mama = for me; aSTau varSa sahasraaNi eight, years, thousand – eight thousand years; [gatau = lapsed.]
Verse 10
अवतीर्य च विन्ध्य अग्रात् कृच्छ्रेण विषमात् शनैः |
तीक्ष्ण दर्भाम् वसुमतीम् दुःखेन पुनर् आगतः || ४-६०-१०
‘I again reached the earth descending from the lopsided peak of Mt. Vindhya, onerously and slowly, whereat the sacred-grass-blades are thorny… [4-60-10]
10. viSamaat vindhya agraat = lopsided [mountainsides,] from Vindhya’s, peak; shanaiH = slowly; kR^icChreNa = onerously; ava tiirya = down, scending – on descending; tiikSNa darbhaam = sharp [thorny,] sacred-grass-blades having; vasumatiim = earth; duHkhena punaH aagataH = with distress, again, I reached.
Verse 11
तम् ऋषिम् द्रष्टु कामो अस्मि दुःखेन अभ्यागतो भृशम् |
जटायुषा मया चैव बहुशो अभिगतो हि सः || ४-६०-११
“As I was desiring to see that sage I neared that place with much anguish, because I and Jataayu approached that sage for many a time in earlier times… [4-60-11]
11. bhR^isham duHkhena abhyaagataH = with much, with anguish, one who neared – such as me; tam R^iSim draSTu kaamaH asmi = him, sage, to see, desiring, I have become; saH = he – that sage; jaTaayuSaa mayaa caiva = by Jataayu, by me, also thus; bahushaH abhigataH hi = many times, [he was] approached, indeed.
Verse 12
तस्य आश्रम पदाभ्याशे ववुः वाताः सुगन्धिनः |
वृक्षो न अपुष्पितः कश्चित् अफलो वा न दृश्यते || ४-६०-१२
“Near about his hermitage wind wiffles with a sweet-smell, and no tree is flowerless and no tree is fruitless, whatsoever it is… [4-60-12]
12. tasya aashrama padaabhyaashe = his, hermitage near about; su gandhinaH vaataaH vavuH = sweet, smelling, wind, whiffled; a puSpitaH vR^ikSaH = not, flowered, trees; kashcit = whatsoever; na dR^ishyate = not, seen; a phalaH vaa = without, fruits, either; na = is not seen.
Verse 13
उपेत्य च आश्रमम् पुण्यम् वृक्ष मूलम् उपाश्रितः |
द्रष्टु कामः प्रतीक्षे च भगवंतम् निशाकरम् || ४-६०-१३
“On nearing that sacred hermitage and sheltering myself at the base of a tree, I waited there desirous to see that godly Nishaakara… [4-60-13]
13. puNyam aashramam = to sacred, hermitage; upetya [upa etya = near, on going] = drawing nigh of; vR^ikSa muulam upa aashritaH = at a tree, base, near, sheltering [myself]; bhagavantam nishaakaram = at godly, Nishaakara; draSTu kaamaH = to see, desirous of; pratiikSe = I am awaiting – [historical present] I awaited.
Verse 14
अथ पश्यमि दूरस्थम् ऋषिम् ज्वलित तेजसम् |
कृत अभिषेकम् दुर्धर्षम् उपावृत्तम् उदन् मुखम् || ४-६०-१४
“Then I saw the sage available distantly, returning facing north after performing his holy bath, an unassailable sage irradiating the ambience with his radiance… [4-60-14]
14. atha = then; kR^ita abhiSekam = on performing, holy bath; upa aavR^ittam = return, returning; udan mukham = north, facing; jvalita tejasam = irradiating [the ambience,] with radiance; durdharSam = unassailable one; duura stham R^iSim = distantly, available, sage; pashyami = I am seeing – I saw.
Verse 15
तम् ऋक्षाः सृमरा व्याघ्राः सिंहा नाना सरी सृपाः |
परिवार्य उपगच्छन्ति दातारम् प्राणिनो यथा || ४-६०-१५
“Bears, antelopes, tigers, lions, and diverse reptiles and snakes are following him at his heel, as with living beings following a donor, or all-donating Brahma… [4-60-15]
15. praaNinaH = by living beings; daataaram [dhaataaram] yathaa = after a donor [or, after Brahma,] as with – the following; tam = him – sage; pari vaarya = around, surrounding; R^ikSaaH sR^imaraa vyaaghraaH simhaa = bears, antelopes, tigers, lions; naanaa sarii sR^ipaaH = diverse, reptiles, snakes; upa gacChanti = at heel, they are going – following him.
Verse 16
ततः प्राप्तम् ऋषिम् ज्ञात्वा तानि सत्त्वानि वै ययुः |
प्रविष्टे राजनि यथा सर्वम् स अमात्यकम् बलम् || ४-६०-१६
“As to how the ministerial and military staff retrace steps when a king enters his place-chambers, so also the animals and other beings on knowing the sage’s entry into his hermitage, retraced their steps and went away… [4-60-16]
16. raajani praviSTe = on a king’s, entry [into palace-chambers]; sarvam sa amaatyakam balam = all of the, with, ministerial, military staff; yathaa = as to how [they retrace their steps]; R^iSim praaptam = sage’s, entry [into hermitage]; j~naatvaa = on noticing; tataH taani sattvaani vai yayuH = then, those, beings [animals etc.,] went away.
Verse 17
ऋषिः तु दृष्ट्वा माम् तुष्टः प्रविष्टः च आश्रमम् पुनः |
मुहूर्त मात्रान् निर्गम्य ततः कार्यम् अपृच्छत || ४-६०-१७
“But the sage is gladdened on seeing me and though he has entered into his hermitage he again came out in a moment and asked about the objective of my visit… [4-60-17]
17. R^iSiH tu dR^iSTvaa maam = sage, on his part, on seeing, me; tuSTaH = gladdened; aashramam praviSTaH = into hermitage, [though] entered; tataH = then; punaH = again; muhuurta maatraan = in a moment, that much [after]; nir gamya = out, on coming; kaaryam apR^icChata = then, work [objective of my coming,] he asked about.
Verse 18
सौम्य वैकल्यताम् दृष्ट्वा रोम्णाम् ते न अवगम्यते |
अग्नि दग्धौ इमौ पक्षौ प्राणाः चापि शरीरके || ४-६०-१८
” ‘On seeing the deformity of your feathers, oh, gentle Sampaati, you unidentifiable. These two wings of yours are fire burnt, but lives are let out in your body…’ Thus, the sage started to talk to me… [4-60-18]
18. saumya = oh, gentle [Sampaati]; te romNaam vaikalyataam = your, hair’s [feathers’] deformity; dR^iSTvaa = on seeing; na avagamyate = not, being identified [you are]; imau pakSau agni dagdhau = these two, wings, by fire, burnt; praaNaaH caapi shariirake = lives, only, [remaining] in body.
Verse 19
गृध्रौ द्वौ दृष्ट पूर्वौ मे मातरिश्व समौ जवे |
गृध्राणाम् चैव राजानौ भ्रातरौ काम रूपिणौ || ४-६०-१९
” ‘I have earlier seen you two eagle brothers, kingly eagles among eagles, similar in your speed to Wind-god and form-changers by your wish… [4-60-19]
19. gR^idhraaNaam raajaanau = for [among] eagles, kingly ones; jave maatarishva samau = in speed, to Fire-god [but, here it is his friend Wind-god,] similar to; kaama ruupiNau = by wish, form-changers – this is an inconsistent statement; bhraatarau dvau gR^idhrau = bothers, two, eagles; such as you two are, you are; me = by me; dR^iSTa puurvau = were seen, earlier.
Verse 21
किम् ते व्याधि समुत्थानम् पक्षयोः पतनम् कथम् |
दण्डो वा अयम् धृतः केन सर्वम् आख्याहि पृच्छतः || ४-६०-२१
“Is this falling of wings a result of any illness, if so what is it… or is this any scourge imposed on you, if so, who is he… tell me all who am inquiring into those details… [4-60-21]
21. te = to you; vyaadhi samutthaanam = illness, result of; kim = what is it; pakSayoH patanam katham = wings, falling, how; kena = by whom; ayam daNDaH dhR^itaH vaa = this, scourge, is imposed, either; pR^icChataH = while I am asking – inquire into; sarvam aakhyaahi = all, you tell.
Verse 20
ज्येष्ठो अवित स्त्वम् तु संपाते जटायुः अनुजः तव |
मानुषम् रूपम् आस्थाय गृह्णीताम् चरणौ मम || ४-६०-२०
” ‘You are the elder, isn’t it! And Jataayu is your younger brother. You used to touch my feet taking up human forms… [4-60-20]
20. sampaate = oh, Sampaati; tvam tu = you, on your part; jyeSThaH = are the elder; avita = really – isn’t it; tava anujaH jaTaayuH = your, younger brother is, Jataayu; maanuSam ruupam aasthaaya = human, forms, taking up; mama caraNau gR^ihNiitaam = my, feet, you took – you touched my feet.
