Angada Reaches Ravana's Court With the Bearing of a Lion
Lanka Kanda, Doha 18ख
Doha 18ख · Movement 2 of 2
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The doors of Ravana's royal court rise before the solitary envoy. Behind them wait ranks of demons, counselors, commanders, and the king whose many heads have refused every voice of peace.
Angada remembers Rama's lotus feet before crossing the threshold. The inward bow steadies every outward step. He carries no army into the hall, but the glory of the one who sent him is present within his heart.
With a lion's bearing he enters and looks calmly in every direction. His gaze neither darts in fear nor fixes itself in bravado. The prince stands as concentrated strength among those who expected a trembling messenger. Lanka's court becomes a herd of maddened elephants watching one lion choose his place.
Angada enters alone, but Rama's remembered feet give the single envoy a lion's stride.
Read the passage from the Manas
गयउ सभा दरबार तब सुमिरि राम पद कंज। सिंह ठवनि इत उत चितव धीर बीर बल पुंज।।18।।
Remembering the lotus feet of Shri Rama, Angada reached the entrance of the royal court. With a lion's bearing, the brave and mighty prince looked calmly in every direction.