Lanka Kaanda
169 - Angada's departure for Lanka and dialogue between Angada and Ravana in the latter's court
Chaupais
Description
I am capable of smashing your jaws; but I have no command from the Lord of the Raghus to do so. Otherwise I feel so enraged that I would break all your ten heads and lifting up Lanka drop it into the ocean. Your Lanka is like a fruit of the Udumbara tree; while you are like so many unsuspecting insects that reside in it. A monkey as I am, I would lose no time in eating it; but the gracious Rama has not given me the order." Ravana smiled to hear this witty remark. "Fool, where did you learn to tell such big lies? Vali never boasted like this; it seems association with the hermits has made you such a vaunting liar." "I am a blustering liar indeed, O monster with twenty arms, if I do not tear out your ten tongues." Recalling Sri Rama's might Angada grew indignant and firmly planted his foot in the midst of the whole assembly. "If you can but stir my foot, O fool Sri Rama will return forthwith and I shall forgo Sita as a lost wager." "Listen, champions all:" exclaimed the ten-headed monster, "seize the monkey by the leg and dash him to the ground." Meghanada (the vanquisher of Indra) and many other stout warriors rose with delight from their respective seats and rushed with all their might, employing numerous devices; but Angada's foot refused to stir. The competitors, therefore, resumed their seats with their heads bent low. The enemies of heaven rose again and dashed forward; but the monkey's foot moved no more than a sensually-minded striver, O Garuda (the enemy of serpents), is able to uproot the tree of error implanted in his heart (continues Kakabhusundi).