Vedic Kathas

Angada’s Challenge in Ravana’s Court

Before the war, Rama sent the young vanara prince Angada, son of Vali, as his envoy to offer Ravana a last chance for peace.

Before the great battle for Lanka, Rama did what dharma required of a righteous king: he offered his enemy one last chance for peace.

The last offer of peace

Rama sent Angada to Lanka to tell Ravana plainly: return Sita with honour, and live; refuse, and face the destruction of yourself, your sons and your city.

Scorn and threat

Ravana, enraged that a mere monkey should counsel him, mocked Angada and ordered his guards to seize and kill him.

The planted foot

Angada pressed one foot firmly to the floor of the hall and made a challenge before the assembled warriors of Lanka: if any one of them could so much as lift or move his foot from the ground, Rama would accept…

The words to Ravana

At last Ravana himself, humiliated, rose from his throne to move the foot with his own hands. But Angada stopped him with words sharper than any weapon: "Do not hold my foot," he said.

The meaning of the story

Angada's embassy carries several of the Ramayana's deepest lessons. It shows that the righteous always seek peace before war, and give even their enemy a final chance.

What it means

The story teaches that the righteous seek peace before war and give even an enemy a final chance; it praises the fearless courage of the lone devotee;