Nala is the vanara son of Vishwakarma who builds the bridge across the ocean to Lanka, the Rama Setu, in five days.
RoleVanara of Kishkindha
ParentsVishwakarma
Appears inRamayana
GroupVanaras and bears
KingdomKishkindha
First appearsBala Kanda, Sarga 17
Who was Nala?
When the Ocean rises before Rama, it tells him that Nala has inherited his father's skill and can build a bridge it will hold up. Nala steps forward and directs the vanaras, who carry rocks, trees and mountain peaks to the shore.
In five days the bridge reaches Lanka. The popular image of stones floating because they bear Rama's name comes from later folk tradition; in Valmiki the Ocean simply promises to bear what Nala builds.
In the Valmiki Ramayana
Nala appears in 3 sargas across 2 Kandas.
First appearsBala Kanda · Sarga 17: The Vanaras Are Born
