Angada Enters Lanka and Throws Ravana's Son to the Ground
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 18
Doha 18ख · Movement 1 of 2
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Angada bows at Rama's feet, holds the Lord's majesty within his heart, and salutes the whole camp before departing. Bali's son enters Lanka with the natural fearlessness of a warrior whose strength rests inside another's glory.
Near the city he encounters a son of Ravana at play. Words sharpen into quarrel between two young champions of immeasurable power. The demon prince lifts a foot to kick, but Angada seizes the leg, whirls him, and hurls him lifeless upon the ground.
Demon warriors see the stranger and scatter without a cry. None dares tell another what he understands. Uproar runs ahead through the streets: the monkey who burned Lanka has returned. Citizens show Angada the way without being asked, shrinking inwardly beneath his gaze while wondering what fate will do next.
Before Angada reaches the court, fear mistakes him for the fire that once consumed the city.
Read the passage from the Manas
बंदि चरन उर धरि प्रभुताई। अंगद चलेउ सबहि सिरु नाई।। प्रभु प्रताप उर सहज असंका। रन बाँकुरा बालिसुत बंका।। पुर पैठत रावन कर बेटा। खेलत रहा सो होइ गै भैंटा।। बातहिं बात करष बढ़ि आई। जुगल अतुल बल पुनि तरुनाई।। तेहि अंगद कहुँ लात उठाई। गहि पद पटकेउ भूमि भवाँई।। निसिचर निकर देखि भट भारी। जहँ तहँ चले न सकहिं पुकारी।। एक एक सन मरमु न कहहीं। समुझि तासु बध चुप करि रहहीं।। भयउ कोलाहल नगर मझारी। आवा कपि लंका जेहीं जारी।। अब धौं कहा करिहि करतारा। अति सभीत सब करहिं बिचारा।। बिनु पूछें मगु देहिं दिखाई। जेहि बिलोक सोइ जाइ सुखाई।।
Bowing at the Lord's feet and placing his divine authority within his heart, Angada departed, saluting everyone. With the Lord's power in his heart and natural fearlessness, the son of Bali was a bold warrior, ready for battle. As he entered the city, he happened upon Ravana's son, who had been playing there. From one word to the next, a quarrel arose and grew, for both possessed matchless strength and the fire of youth. That demon prince raised his foot to kick Angada, but Angada seized his leg and hurled him to the ground. Seeing that mighty warrior, the demon hosts scattered in every direction, unable even to cry out. They dare not speak the truth to one another. Understanding his power, they remain silent. An uproar filled the city: 'The very monkey who burned Lanka has come!' 'What will Vidhata do now?' All are stricken with fear and lost in anxious thought. Without being asked, they show him the way, and whoever beholds him withers inwardly.