The Search and Wise Sampati

1. When the rains ended, Lakshmana reminded Sugriva of his promise. Sugriva admitted his delay and immediately called the vanara hosts.
2. Search parties received instructions to explore north, south, east and west. Sugriva described distant lands from his many travels.
3. Rama placed His ring in Hanuman's hand as a sign for Sita. He trusted Hanuman with His hope.
4. Hanuman, Angada, Jambavan, Nala and Nila travelled south across mountains and forests. They searched every cave and riverbank.
5. Days passed and their food ran low, but they found no trace. The vanaras worried that they had failed Rama.
6. Following birds with wet wings, the party entered a shining underground garden. A gentle ascetic named Svayamprabha welcomed them.
7. She gave the tired vanaras food and used spiritual power to bring them safely outside. They found themselves near the southern ocean.
8. The search deadline was over, and the ocean seemed impossible to cross. Angada and the others sat down in despair.
9. As they spoke about brave Jatayu, a huge old vulture heard his brother's name. He was Sampati, who had long lived without wings.
10. Sampati told how he once shielded young Jatayu from the sun and burned his own wings. His sacrifice had saved his brother.
11. From the coast Sampati used his powerful vision and saw Sita in a grove across the sea. Lanka stood one hundred yojanas away.
12. The vanaras leaped up with joy and thanked Sampati. Speaking about Rama restored Sampati's strength and purpose.
13. Each hero honestly said how far he could jump. Angada could reach Lanka but could not promise to return: knowing the limits of our strength is as important as being brave.
14. Wise Jambavan turned to quiet Hanuman and described the powers he had forgotten. The time had come for the sages' blessing to end.
15. Hanuman remembered his strength and grew like a golden mountain. With Rama in his heart, he prepared to leap, for remembering the Lord makes the heart brave.

Authoritative sources

• Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 9.10
• Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 9.11