Ramayana

by Vālmīki

"I do not agree with Hanumaan," said Angada. "Sugreeva has no love or pity for me. He is sure to kill me. He is of a cruel nature. Remember how he killed my father. He does not want me to live. He will find some excuse or other for killing me. He regards me as an obstacle in his way and that of his progeny, who but for me would inherit Kishkindha. To break a promise is nothing to him. Did he not forget his solemn pledge to Raama that he would search for and recover Seeta? Was it not only for fear of Lakshmana and his bow that he sent us on this search? My poor bereaved mother has succumbed to fear and accepted Sugreeva's protection. She clings to life for my sake, Hearing that I am dead, she will end her life. Alas! I am miserable and know not what to do." "My death is certain", he said again, "if I return to Kishkindha. It is far better to fast to death here." He spread on the ground the kusa grass in the manner prescribed for the vow of death, bowed to the gods and the dead and sat facing east, determined to die. When Angada the Yuvaraaja took this vow and sat in the posture of a fast unto death, the other Vaanaras cried in grief and, resolving also to fast with him and die, sat facing east. From a neighbouring hill, Sampaati, the vulture King, saw this crowd of Vaanaras, resigning themselves to fate. Having lost his wings and being unable to move, Sampaati had been famishing for a long time. He now rejoiced, saying to himself, "So many monkeys are going to die here toge...

Story of Sampatti