Lanka Kaanda
169 - Angada's departure for Lanka and dialogue between Angada and Ravana in the latter's court
Chaupais
Description
Everyone who saw the monkey's strength was discomfited at heart. Challenged by the monkey Ravana himself now rose. Even as Ravana proceeded to grasp his foot, Vali's son (Angada) broke out, "You cannot be saved by clinging to my feet. Fool, why do you not go and clasp Sri Rama's feet ?" He turned back much abashed at heart to hear this. All his splendour was gone and he was robbed of his glory even as the moon fades away at midday. With drooping heads he resumed his seat on the throne as if despoiled of all his riches. Sri Rama is the soul of the universe and the lord of life : how can he who is hostile to Him find any rest ? The universe, Uma (Parvati), springs into existence and is again dissolved with a mere play of Sri Rama's eyebrows. When He is capable of transforming a blade of grass into a thunderbolt and a thunderbolt into a blade of grass, how, then, can a vow of His ambassador prove false ? Angada admonished him in various ways; but as his end had drawn near, he would not listen. Having squashed the enemy's pride, the son of King Vali glorified his lord to his very face and departed, saying : "If I do not slay you after I have sported with you on the battlefield for some time, it will be no use my indulging in self-praise just now." Angada had killed Ravana's son even before he arrived in the latter's presence and Ravana felt very sad at the news. The demons too grew particularly nervous with fear when they witnessed the effectiveness of Angada's challenge.