Sampāti and Jaṭāyu - brothers bound by blood and separated by fire. The literal fire of the sun that burns them, and the fire of penance that purifies them and provides deliverance - Jatāyu dies in the hands of Rāma and finds deliverance in death while Sampāti in his rebirth.
The Ramayana is not simply a chronicle of Shri Rama's life and times on Earth, but also an epic saga that holds within itself much for both the devout and the rational.
Each of the characters is fascinating, but there are some that shine like gems in their limited roles without making too much noise. One such character is that of Sumitra, one of the three chief queens of king Dasharatha of Ayodhya, the other two being Kausalya, and Kaikeyi. This article aims to understand Sumitra's character in deeper detail through textual references from both the Valmiki Ramayana as well as Tulsidas's Ramacharitamanasa.
Is Shri Ramacharitamanasa only a chronicle of Shri Rama's life and times on Earth, or does it hold deeper hidden meanings revealed to the devout upon contemplation?