With renewed resolve blazing in his heart, like a brilliant flame dispelling the darkness, Sampāti felt his sorrow melt away. He was now fully awakened to the might and cruelty of wicked Rāvaṇa. He pondered how his own son, though threatened with harsh words, could not have failed to protect Maithilī—Sītā herself. The memory of her lament, and the pain of her separation from those two, weighed heavily on him. Sampāti reflected that, despite being the son of Daśaratha and the affection that came with it, he himself had found no joy. As he spoke these thoughts among the gathered monkeys, something wondrous occurred: his wings, once lost, sprang forth before all the forest-dwellers. His own body was transformed—wings emerging, tinged with a radiant red. Overcome with incomparable delight, Sampāti spoke to the monkeys, his voice filled with gratitude: “By the grace of the moon-king, the royal sage of immeasurable energy, my wings, once burned by the sun’s rays, have now returned. The prowess I possessed in my youth has come back to me. Today, I recognize that very strength and manliness. Therefore, make every effort—you will surely find Sītā. The recovery of my wings is a sign of your assured success.” Having thus spoken to the assembly, Sampāti, the noblest of birds, leapt up from the mountain peak, eager to test his restored flight. The monkeys, hearing his words, were filled with joy and their minds stirred toward heroic deeds. With courage rekindled, the foremost among them—mighty as the wind—set out toward the direction of the zenith, eager to search for Janaka’s daughter. Now begins the sixty-fourth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Kiṣkindhā section. Inspired by the king of vultures, the monkeys leapt up together, united and exultant, roaring like lions. The words of Sampāti about Rāvaṇa’s destruction filled them with eagerness to see Sītā, and joyfully they reached the edge of the ocean. There, on the shore, those of terrible valor beheld the entire reflection of the vast world mirrored in the waters. Having reached the northern shore of the southern ocean, the mighty monkey heroes set up their encampment. The place was strange and wondrous: in some spots, it seemed as if the ocean slept; elsewhere, as if it played; in certain places, it was covered by masses of water as high as mountains. The monkeys saw, too, the ocean teeming with lords of demons dwelling in the underworld depths—a sight so fearsome that their hair stood on end, and fear crept into their hearts. Beholding the ocean, as impassable as the sky itself, all the monkeys together despaired. “How can this task be accomplished?” they lamented. Seeing their army disheartened before the vast ocean, the foremost among them stepped forward to encourage the terrified warriors. “Do not let your minds fall into despair,” he urged. “Despair is most harmful—it destroys a person as an angry serpent destroys a child. He who succumbs to despair when action is required will never achieve his purpose, for he is deprived of energy.” When night had passed, Angada, together with the elder monkeys, gathered again to deliberate on their course of action. The army of monkeys surrounded Angada, shining like the host of winds standing about Indra. None but Vali’s son or Hanuman could restrain such a mighty gathering. Then Angada, illustrious and a subduer of foes, after consulting with the elders and the army, spoke meaningful words: “Who among you, possessed of great energy, will leap across the ocean? Who will fulfill the promise to Sugriva, the subduer of enemies? Which hero among the monkeys can leap a hundred yojanas? Who will rescue all these chiefs from this great danger? By whose favor will we, having accomplished our purpose, return and see our wives, sons, and homes, happy and fulfilled? By whose favor will we, rejoicing, approach Rama, mighty Lakshmana, and Sugriva, lord of the forest-dwellers? If any of you is capable of crossing the ocean, let him quickly grant us the blessed gift of safety.” Hearing Angada’s words, none spoke; the entire monkey army was stunned into motionless silence. Once more, Angada addressed them: “All of you are the best among the strong, firm in valor, born in noble lineages, and honored repeatedly. There will never be any hindrance to your journey. Each of you, O foremost of the monkeys, speak according to your own ability in leaping.” Now begins the sixty-fifth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Kiṣkindhā section. Having heard Angada’s words, all the foremost monkeys, each in turn, declared their own enthusiasm for the journey. Gaja, Gavākṣa, Gavaya, Śarabha, Gandhamādana, Mainda, Dvivida, Suṣeṇa, and also Jāmbavān were among them. Gaja said, “I can leap ten yojanas.” Gavākṣa declared, “I will go twenty yojanas.” Then Śarabha said to the assembly, “O leaping ones, I will go thirty yojanas.” Ṛṣabha proclaimed, “I will go forty yojanas, without doubt.” Gandhamādana, of great energy, then said, “I will go fifty yojanas, without doubt.” Thus, each hero spoke of his strength and resolve, their spirits rising as they prepared for the daunting task ahead.