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 Sampati was shocked to hear that his brother Jatayu was killed by Ravana. But then when he learnt the fact that he gave up his life in trying to save Sita, he had his solace that his younger brother died in the service of Sri Rama. He then told the Vanara warriors how he happened to live on the hillock with both wings seared.
Chant His name
Sampati then requested the Vanaras to chant the name of Sri Rama. He was in fact waiting for them as predicted by the Sun, by whose heat his wings were singed when he fell on the hillock. The prediction was that his wings would grow up once again, when the Vanara warriors chant His name in chorus.
That the vanara army could not believe it is subtly mentioned by the poet with the words ‘
annadhu kaandum yaam’ – let us do so and see what happens. And when they witnessed Sampati’s wings grew up and stood shining like a ‘sword in the sheath’
(vaaL urai petraal ena) they were surprised; taken aback and could not believe what they saw. They were afraid says the poet. This event conveyed to them as to who Sri Rama must be and they praised him. We see Hanuman chanting Rama Nama from this point forward. Hanuman’s role undergoes a major change from this point onwards.
Bird’s eye view
Sampati recollected that he saw Ravana flying in the pushpaka vimana, with Sita. With the sharp sight of the vulture, he in fact saw Sita in Lanka and told the Vanaras: ‘I can see her imprisoned in Lanka. But it is an island, an incursion into which is dreaded even by Yama, the god of death. It is not possible for all of you to go there. One of you may go there and find out her whereabouts, meet her, give her the message and return. I am not sure how it is possible even for that one among you to reach the place.’ So saying, he took leave of them.
Hanuman, the embodiment of modesty
The departure of Sampati was followed by a spirited discussion among them. Each one made a claim about the distance that he could leap across the sea, with Angada topping the list. He could leap across and reach Lanka. But could not return to the main land, once he reached the island!
 Hanuman was sitting motionless. We know the curse that he had. Someone has to tell him of his ability, until which he was supposed to be in oblivion of his powers. This moment may not be the right one to show Hanuman in his modest nature, shy to speak about his own achievements. We will soon have several such moments when he does not do so. A winner does not have the need to speak about himself. There is absence of desire to brag about oneself.
There are eleven verses in praise of Hanuman, by Jambavan. There cannot be a better praise to sing of, when Hanuman is worshipped. The verses that motivated the great motivator; The verses that moved him into action and the verses, if I may say so, that liberated him from his curse and pushed the epic to its natural course.
Now comes the real challenge. How to communicate to a lady who is depressed and frightened at heart, who is a stranger, who cannot be held by her hand to stop her from doing what she was about to do and prevent her from committing suicide?
We will see the events leading to that.
Hari Krishnan
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