Ramayana : The Untold Story of Jatayu's Brother Sampati

 The Untold Story of Jatayu's Brother Sampati

Everyone knows about Jatayu, who sacrificed his life trying to save Sita from Ravana. But did you know that it was his brother Sampati who saved Jatayu’s life, which is why Jatayu survived? However, in the process of saving his brother, Sampati lost his wings and became powerless forever. This story dates back to before the abduction of Sita. Jatayu and Sampati were two brothers, both of whom were incredibly powerful and valiant with their wings. There was no place they couldn't reach by flying. The brothers were very happy in their lives. Sampati loved his brother immensely, so much so that he could even give up his life for him. 

One day, in a conversation, the two brothers made a wager to reach the sun, and then they flew towards it. They took a long flight and started nearing the sun. After covering a great distance in the infinite sky, Sampati and Jatayu got close to the sun, but then suddenly, due to the intense heat and fire of the sun, Sampati’s body began to scorch. At that moment, Jatayu covered his brother with his own wings to save him. However, Sampati’s wings got severely burnt as a result. Both brothers fell rapidly to the earth in different places. Jatayu fell in the Dandakaranya forest, while Sampati fell on the Vindhya mountain. Jatayu kept searching for his brother but could not find him. On the other hand, the wingless Sampati couldn’t go to his brother because he had become completely powerless. Without wings, Sampati had no way left but to give up his life. Sampati was about to do so when Sage Nishakar stopped him and assured him that his wings would return once he assisted in Lord Rama's mission. Sampati then stayed on the Vindhya mountain, waiting for that moment.

Much later, when Sita was abducted by Ravana, Sugriva sent his monkey warriors, including Angad, Jambavan, and Hanuman, to search for her. The three told Sampati about Jatayu’s sacrifice. After that, Sampati performed his brother’s funeral rites, and as soon as he became active in Lord Rama’s mission, Sampati’s wings were restored.