Angad Was The One Who Destroyed Ravana Ego

Angad was the son of Bali, the elder brother of Sugreeva. His mother was Tara. When Rama killed Bali, before he breathed his last, he had put his son Angad in Rama’s care. When Sugreeva was appointed the king of Kishkindha, Angad was made the Yuvaraj (prince designate). Angad was a great favorite of Lord Rama. In the battle between Rama and Ravana, Angad was made the commander and head of the army.

When Sugreeva sent Hanuman and Jambavat to the southern directions in search of Sita, then Angad was made in charge of the main search party. When a month passed by in the search for Sita, Angad was very sad at their failure to find Sita. It was Jambavat who assured him. When at last Hanuman returned with the news of Sita, Angad breathed a sign of relief.

On crossing the bridge made over the ocean, Shri Rama, Lakshman and Sugreeva reached Suvela Mountain in Lanka. Then on consultation with Jambavat, Shri Rama sent Angad as an envoy to the court of Ravana. When Angad was on his way to the court, Ravana’s son saw him and blocked his path, hurling many insults on him.

Ravana’s son thought Angad was the same vanar (monkey) who had set Lanka on fire, mistaking him for Hanuman. He challenged Angad to fight him. But with one might blow from Angad he was killed at once. There was a great uproar in Lanka when the news of his death spread.

In Ravana’s court, Angad advised Ravana to return Sita to Rama’s care and seek refuge in Rama’s feet. Else, he warned, all of Lanka and his Rakshasa (demonic) army would be destroyed. While giving his introduction, Angad said, “I am the son of Bali, in whose armpit you have stayed for six months.” Ravana was embarrassed to be reminded of the incident.

While displaying his prowess, Angad put one foot forward and said if anyone can move my foot then we will give up Sita and Rama will go back from Lanka. Many brave warriors from Ravana’s court tried to lift Angad’s foot but in vain. Then a group of rakshas tried to collectively lift Angad’s foot but they could not do so.

Filled with rage, the proud king Ravana came forward. As soon as he bent down to lift Angad’s foot, Angad said, “O Ravana, would it not be better to touch the feet of Shri Rama than to fall at my feet?” Ravana was embarrassed and crestfallen. As he bent down, his crown fell down. Angad threw his crown, which is symbol of prestige, which fell at the feet of Shri Rama. Filled with rage, Ravana cried, “Catch hold of this vanar (monkey)! Kill him!” But no one had the courage to go near Angad, much less capture him. Angad returned to Shri Rama.

On the next day during the battle along with Hanuman, Angad waged a furious attack and killed many demons and warriors. He cut their heads asunder and threw them into Ravana’s court where they burst like clay pots. Angad also joined Hanuman in obstructing with the Yagna (fire sacrifice) that Meghnad was conducting. In the battle, Angad killed Ravana’s mighty commander, Akampan and hundreds of soldiers of Ravana’s army.

When they saw Angad from afar, the soldiers of Ravana’s army would flee with fear. He played a very important role in the battle at Lanka. He was a true devotee of Shri Rama. After the battle when Rama returned to Ayodhya on the Pushpak Viman (a contraption that could fly in the air), he took Hanuman, Sugreeva, Jambavat and Angad with him to Ayodhya. In the coronation ceremony of Shri Rama, Angad had a place of pride and in the list of Rama’s devotees. Angad is a valued vanar (monkey) bhakt.