|| Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram ||

 

Chapter – 4 – Lanka Kandam

 Angadha's encounter with Prahastha/ Angadha's meeting with Ravana

Lankesha who is extremely haughty and fearless arrived in the assembly of ministers, even if Lord Bhrama like the preceptor imparts the knowledge to a dull-minded person Lankesha, it is impossible to attain wisdom. Raghava finished the early morning rites and called for the meeting of the chief of Vanaras and bears, and ministers, he enquired them about the next course of action. The elderly Jambavan prostrated at the feet of Prabhu and began to speak with folded hands, “Oh! Sarvajja, who resides as a soul in living beings, all-pervasive, Oh! Lord of virtues, intellect, prowess, brilliance, and righteousness, I shall suggest a thought according to my intellect, kindly listen to me, we can send Angadha the son of Bali as an emissary to Ravana.” Everyone supported the very idea of Jambavan, the supreme Lord who is the ocean of mercy spoke to Angadha “Oh! Baliputhra, you are the abode of virtues, prowess, courage, and intellect. Oh! Thatha, go to Lanka, I need not teach you what to speak or whatnot. You are highly intelligent and skillful; you have to inform him about the purpose of my visit and his welfare in detail.”

 

Angadha rose from the seat and prostrated before Prabhu, “Oh! Prabho, you are compassionate, your grace is enough to perform all the deeds successful. Oh! Prabho, you are the storehouse of virtues, and you are well capable to perform the tasks, even the impossible.” Angadha felt proud of himself, even though the Prabhu is capable to accomplish all his tasks by himself, he had showered his grace upon him and assigned to perform the task of emissary, it elevated him to a state of bliss. He repeatedly prostrated before Prabhu, and meditated upon his glorious deeds, and prostrated before the army of Vanaras and bears, and set out to Lanka. The son of Bali is extremely valorous in battlefields, fearless natured, and has great prowess.

 

The moment Angadha arrived in the city of Lanka, he saw Prahastha, son of Ravana engaged in amusements with the demons. Angadha started a conversation with him, eventually, it ended in a ferocious fight, and both of them were equally powerful. He prepared to hard kick Angadha, was lifted with hands, and shoved away. The demons who were watching the vicious fight between Angadha and Prahastha ran off to various directions, while they were watching, Prahastha was crushed to his feet and killed instantly. The demons kept silent, assumed that the Vanara who set fire to Lanka is back again. The people of Lanka horrified at the sight of Angadha.

 

Angadha arrived before the doors of the palace of Lanka, contemplating upon the lotus feet of Sri Ramachandra, there were huge sized, mighty demons have the appearance of the lion were stood before the doors. Angadha informed the gatekeepers to inform their King about his arrival as the emissary of Rama. Dhashanan laughed boisterously and informed the guards to bring him inside the palace. Thus a group of demons took Angadha inside the palace. Angadha saw the mighty Ravana seated on the majestic throne, like the mount Anjanadhri. His twenty powerful hands resembled huge trees; head appears as the mountain peaks, bodily hairs resembled creepers. His mouth, nostrils, eyes, and ears resembled the caves in the mountains. The extremely powerful Baliputhra entered the huge assembly fearlessly. The entire ministers rose from their seats immediately, it roused anger in Ravana. Once again he remembered the splendor of Lord Ramachandra and took a seat in the assembly like a lion among the herds of untamed elephants.

 

 

Ravana enquired “Oh! Vanara who are you?” Angadha replied “Oh! Ravana, I am the emissary of Sri Ramachandra, you and my father had a great relationship. Therefore, I have come here to advise you. You have born in the illustrious clan of Sage Pulasthya, and you are his grandson, you have worshiped Lord Bhrama and Lord shiva, and attained various boons, and you have achieved all that desired in this life. You have won over Lokapalaka and Kings on the Earth. You have abducted Lokamatha Devi Janaki due to your haughtiness or illusion, reconsider your foolishness, there is time to correct your mistakes, you have to listen to my advice, and Prabhu will forgive you for all those sins. You have to return Devi Sita with all respect and request his forgiveness and seek shelter at the lotus feet of Raghuvamshamani who is Pranatharththihari as well. The compassionate Lord will remove all your fears and afflictions.”