The story of Sampati and his regained wings is a poignant episode in the Bengali Krittibasi Ramayana, highlighting themes of sacrifice, fate, and redemption.
Sampati and his younger brother Jatayu were the sons of
Aruna, who was the charioteer of the Sun god, Surya, and they were grandsons of
the great bird Garuda. The two brothers shared a deep bond and often embarked
on adventurous flights together. One day, in a spirit of playful rivalry,
Sampati and Jatayu decided to test their limits by competing to see who could
fly higher.
As they soared higher and higher, they came dangerously
close to the scorching rays of the sun. Jatayu, being younger and less
experienced, was at greater risk of being burned. Sampati, with his immense
love for his brother, spread his wings wide to shield Jatayu from the sun's
intense heat. In doing so, Sampati's wings were severely burnt, causing him to
plummet down to earth. Jatayu, thus saved, continued to fly back to safety.
Sampati landed on the Vindhya mountains near the southern
coast of the Indian subcontinent, in great pain and with his wings charred and
useless. He found himself stranded and unable to fly. Over time, he grew
despondent, feeling that his life had lost its purpose without the ability to
soar the skies.
As Sampati lay in his plight, a sage named Nishakara noticed
his suffering. The sage was moved by Sampati's tale of sacrifice for his
brother. He blessed Sampati and foretold that in the distant future, his
destiny would bring him the chance to serve a greater purpose. Nishakara told
Sampati that one day, a group of Vanaras (monkey warriors) would come seeking
help in their quest to find Sita, the abducted wife of Rama. When that time
came, Sampati would guide them and as a result, would regain his wings.
Years passed, and true to the sage's prophecy, a troop of
Vanaras led by Hanuman came to the Vindhya mountains during their search for
Sita. Desperate and dejected, the Vanaras had little hope of finding her. When
they encountered Sampati, he overheard their conversations and, remembering the
sage’s prophecy, approached them.
Sampati informed the Vanaras that he had seen Sita being
taken to Lanka by Ravana. Using his keen eyesight, he described the direction
and the location of Lanka across the ocean. His detailed guidance was
invaluable to the Vanaras, renewing their hope and determination. This critical
information set the stage for Hanuman’s leap across the ocean to Lanka, marking
a pivotal moment in their quest.
In fulfilling the prophecy and aiding the Vanaras, Sampati’s
wings were miraculously restored. This not only symbolized his physical
restoration but also his redemption and the fulfillment of his destiny. His
selfless act of sacrifice for his brother was finally rewarded, reaffirming the
themes of dharma (righteous duty) and karma (action and its consequences) that
run deeply through the Ramayana.
Thus, Sampati’s story, while a minor episode in the grand narrative of the Ramayana, underscores the profound moral and spiritual lessons intrinsic to this ancient epic.