Sampati and Jatayu Brothers

Dadi: "Guddu, have you heard about the vulture who helped find Sita when she was kidnapped?"

Guddu: "Yes! Jatayu! He fought Ravana!"

Dadi: "That's right. But tonight I want to tell you about Jatayu's older brother, Sampati. Their story begins with a flying competition that changed both their lives forever."

Guddu: "A flying competition between vultures?"

Dadi: "Yes! Sampati and Jatayu were not ordinary birds - they were divine vultures, sons of Aruna who drove the chariot of the Sun god. Both were incredibly strong and could fly higher than any creature alive."

Guddu: "What happened in the competition?"

Dadi: "One day, the two brothers challenged each other: who could fly closer to the sun? They soared higher and higher, racing toward the blazing heat."

Guddu: "But the sun is too hot!"

Dadi: "Exactly! As they flew upward, the sun's rays became scorching. Young Jatayu began to falter. His feathers started burning. He couldn't fly anymore!"

Guddu: "Did he fall?"

Dadi: "He was about to! But Sampati, the older brother, saw what was happening. Without hesitation, he spread his own massive wings over Jatayu, shielding him from the sun's flames."

Guddu: "He protected his brother!"

Dadi: "Yes, but at a terrible cost. Sampati's wings were burned completely. He fell from the sky and crashed on the Vindhya Mountain, unable to fly ever again. Jatayu, protected by his brother's sacrifice, descended safely."

Guddu: "That's so sad! Sampati saved his brother and lost everything!"

Dadi: "Isn't that what older siblings do? They protect the younger ones, sometimes at great cost to themselves. Sampati spent years on that mountain, wingless, unable to move far."

Guddu: "What about Jatayu?"

Dadi: "Many years later, when Ravana kidnapped Sita, old Jatayu tried to stop him. He fought bravely but was mortally wounded. Before dying, he told Rama which direction Ravana had gone. Rama honored Jatayu by performing his last rites himself."

Guddu: "So Jatayu died a hero too!"

Dadi: "Yes. But here's where the brothers' story connects beautifully. When the monkey army was searching for Sita, they reached the southern ocean and had no idea where to go. They sat dejected, ready to give up."

Guddu: "What happened then?"

Dadi: "They met Sampati! When Sampati heard them mention Jatayu's name, he was overcome with emotion. He asked, "What do you know of my brother?""

Guddu: "He finally learned what happened to Jatayu!"

Dadi: "Yes, and the news broke his heart. His little brother, whom he had saved from the sun, was dead. But instead of drowning in grief, Sampati chose to help."

Guddu: "How could he help without wings?"

Dadi: "With his eyes, Guddu! Years of sitting on that mountain had given Sampati incredible vision. He could see across vast distances. He told the monkeys, "I saw a young woman being carried away by Ravana. She was crying out for Rama and Lakshmana.""

Guddu: "He had seen Sita!"

Dadi: "Yes! Sampati told them exactly where Lanka was - a hundred yojanas across the ocean. He described the golden city, its walls and palaces, and confirmed that Sita was being held there."

Guddu: "Without that information, they might never have found her!"

Dadi: "Exactly! Sampati had lost his wings but not his purpose. His sacrifice for Jatayu long ago, and his help to Rama's cause now, made him a hero in his own way."

Guddu: "What happened to Sampati after that?"

Dadi: "He asked the monkeys to carry him to the ocean so he could offer prayers for his brother's soul. Then they brought him back to his mountain home. His role was complete - the wingless bird had shown the way."

Guddu: "Dadi, both brothers ended up helping Rama, didn't they?"

Dadi: "Yes! Jatayu fought directly and died a warrior's death. Sampati, unable to fight, provided the knowledge that made victory possible. Both brothers, though separated by tragedy, served the same noble cause."

Guddu: "That's beautiful. Even though one couldn't fly..."

Dadi: "We each have our own way to help, beta. Sampati couldn't fly, but he could see. He couldn't fight, but he could guide. Sometimes our limitations become our unique gifts."

Guddu: "I want to remember that."

Dadi: "Remember both brothers. Jatayu, who fought. Sampati, who sacrificed his wings for love and then used his eyes for service. Both remind us that family devotion and selfless help never go unrewarded - even when the reward is simply knowing you did what was right."