Angada Invites Ravana to Ask Bali About the Welfare of Opposing Rama
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 21
Doha 21 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Ravana orders the monkey child to speak carefully and remember that he stands before the enemy of the gods. Name yourself and your father. On what relation do you claim friendship?
I am Angada, son of Bali. Have you met him? The name unsettles Ravana. He remembers Bali, then mocks the son as fire born to consume his own lineage and asks whether his dead father remains well.
Angada smiles. In ten days, go to Bali yourself. Embrace your old friend and ask him what welfare comes from opposing Rama. The prophecy enters as wit, placing Ravana among the dead before the court can answer. Discord lives in the mind where Shri Raghuvira does not dwell, Angada says. The many headed king has made that divided kingdom visible.
Angada gives Ravana ten days to meet Bali and learn how long enmity with Rama survives.
Read the passage from the Manas
रे कपिपोत बोलु संभारी। मूढ़ न जानेहि मोहि सुरारी।। कहु निज नाम जनक कर भाई। केहि नातें मानिऐ मिताई।। अंगद नाम बालि कर बेटा। तासों कबहुँ भई ही भेटा।। अंगद बचन सुनत सकुचाना। रहा बालि बानर मैं जाना।। अंगद तहीं बालि कर बालक। उपजेहु बंस अनल कुल घालक।। गर्भ न गयहु ब्यर्थ तुम्ह जायहु। निज मुख तापस दूत कहायहु।। अब कहु कुसल बालि कहँ अहई। बिहँसि बचन तब अंगद कहई।। दिन दस गएँ बालि पहिं जाई। बूझेहु कुसल सखा उर लाई।। राम बिरोध कुसल जसि होई। सो सब तोहि सुनाइहि सोई।। सुनु सठ भेद होइ मन ताकें। श्रीरघुबीर हृदय नहिं जाकें।।
'O monkey-child, speak with care! You fool, do you not know me, the enemy of the gods?' 'Tell me your name and your father's, brother. On what ground shall I accept this friendship?' 'My name is Angada, son of Bali. Have you ever met him?' Hearing Angada's words, Ravana grew uneasy. 'I knew Bali the monkey well,' he said. 'So you are Bali's child, Angada! You are born in a line that destroys enemy clans like fire.' 'Your birth was not in vain. With your own lips you call yourself a messenger and an ascetic.' 'Now tell me, where is Bali? Is he well?' Smiling, Angada spoke these words: 'In ten days, go to Bali yourself. Embrace your friend and ask him of his welfare.' 'Whatever welfare comes from opposing Rama, Bali himself will tell you all of that.' 'Hear me, fool. Discord dwells in the heart of one who does not hold Sri Raghuvira within it.'