Angad's sense of failure in the mission to find Mother Sita weighed heavily on his mind. He was rescued from this state by Jambavanji who guided him to surrender to the Lord.
"Seeing Angad's distress Jambavanji (the old bear chief) gave a highly instructive discourse. 'Imagine not Ram to be a mortal, dear child; know Him to be the same as Brahman (the supreme spirit) without attributes, invincible and unborn. We, His servants, are all highly blessed in that we are ever devoted to the same Brahman endowed with a qualified form. Of His own free will the Lord descends on the earth for the sake of gods, earth, cows and Brahmins. Spurning all the varieties of final beatitude the worshippers of His qualified form (come down and) remain with Him even on earth.'" (Ramcharitmanas 4/25/6-7, 26).
This was a turning point in Angad's life. Jambavanji's words infused new hope and a fresh faith in the Lord. He was freed from his imaginary fears and he felt the burden of responsibility removed from his shoulders the moment he surrendered to the Lord the fruit of all his endeavours, whether it was success or failure. This brought to him the confidence that he lacked before and the secure knowledge that with the grace of the Lord, no achievement is impossible. Up to now, he was plagued with doubts about the divinity of Sri Ram. The fact that Ravan was able to take away Mother Sita from Sri Ram and the fact that the lord sought help from Sugriv and his followers to locate and recover mother Sita made him apprehensive about the Lord. But now, being convinced by Jambavanji that by doing so the Lord was only enabling His devotees to serve Him, he was filled with appreciation for the opportunities of service provided to him by the Lord. All his doubts towards Sri Ram were resolved by the speech of Jambavanji and he fully accepted and dedicated himself to the service of the Lord.
This new found inspiration and resultant surge of self-confidence of Angad finds expression when Sampati (the vulture) threatens to devour the group who had resolved, under Angad's leadership, to fast unto death rather than to return to Kishkindha and face execution. Here it was Angad's speech regarding the sacrifices made by Jatayu for the sake of the Lord which not only gave fortitude to the other members of the group but also inspired Sampati to help them in the quest for Mother Sita just as his brother Jatayu had assisted the Lord at the cost of his life. When Sampati revealed to the group the whereabouts of Mother Sita, Angad alone indicated that he has the capacity to reach her. However, he was unsure of his ability to return thereafter. This task could only be performed by Hanumanji. It was only after Hanumanji returned from Lanka and related his experiences to his companions that Angad's faith in the Lord became complete. Now no further reasoning, persuasion or convincing was necessary. Thus, in the development of Angad's faith the seed planted by his father, Vali, at the time of dedication had grown into a tree and flowered by the inspiration of Jambavanji's words,now bore fruit by the knowledge of the deeds of Hanumanji.
When Sri Ram reached Lanka with his army after constructing a bridge across the ocean, He resolved to make one last effort to negotiate a peaceful settlement with Ravan. To complete this mission, it became necessary to entrust the task to such a messenger who would be capable in every respect. Sri Ram consulted His council of advisers on the choice of such a messenger and the name of Angad was suggested by the far-sighted Jambavanji who was well acquainted with Angad's psychological state. Jambavanji knew that Angad now fully believed in Sri Ram but that Angad was not sure whether the Lord believed in him. Sri Ram's ready acceptance of Jambhavanji's proposal cleared Angad's doubt. The fact that the proposal came from Jambhavanji also cleared Angad's doubt in another matter. When his father Vali had returned from the cave and saw Sugriv on the throne of Kishkindha, he banished not only Sugriv but also those ministers who supported his coronation. Now that Sugriv was the king of Kishkindha, it was natural for him to reappoint those very same ministers as his closest advisors. However, it was natural for Angad to feel unsure of his acceptance by them in such circumstances. But as the proposal came from Jambhavanji and was unanimously agreed on by the rest of them, this doubt was also cleared.
Jambhavanji's choice of Angad as messenger was a wise one from other points of view as well. Generally, it is believed that the proposal for peace is advanced by the weaker side. Jambhavanji was concerned that Ravan should not consider the proposal for peace to be a weakness on the part of Sri Ram. Angad was appropriate as a symbol of power as he was the son of that warrior who had defeated Ravan and thereafter extended a hand of friendship to him. The choice of Angad as messenger would send a message to Ravan that like Vali, Sri Ram too was negotiating from a position of strength. Whilst Angad may be perceived as a trusted envoy of Sri Ram on one hand, he must also be seen as a well wisher of Ravan being the son of his friend Vali. Furthermore, the choice of Angad as envoy was a political challenge for Ravan. Whilst as a political leader, Ravan did not even trust his obedient and well-intentioned brother Visbhishana, Sri Ram demonstrated his superior statesmanship by entrusting the son of a person he had killed with a vital mission. This was the greatest proof of the failure of Ravan's political philosophy. Thus, Jambhavanji's choice of Angad as envoy was appropriate in every way.
Angad's heart leapt for joy at the group's unanimous decision in choosing him as envoy. Sri Ram lovingly called Angad to His side and said to him, "'O son of Vali, repository of wisdom, strength and goodness! Go to Lanka, dear son, for My cause. I need not give you any elaborate instructions. I know you are supremely clever. You should talk with the enemy in such words as may advance My cause and serve his interest at the same time.'" (Ramcharitmanas 6/16/3-4)
This kindly instruction of the Lord was received by Angada with a heart full of faith and dedication. There was not a trace of doubt or ego left in him. It was no longer a consideration to him as to whether he was capable or not to fulfill the task ahead of him for he now fully believed that the grace of the Lord would accomplish all that was necessary. The dedication of Angada by his father Vali to the feet of the Lord was now truly complete.
Angad left for Ravan's court like a true devotee of the Lord, thinking all the while of the Lord's lotus feet and His greatness. His complete dedication to the Lord rendered him fearless and his outward confidence struck terror in the hearts of the demons as he entered the city. He met and killed Ravan's powerful son, Prahastha, soon after entering the city and this further terrified the demons. As he entered Ravan's court, all of the demon king's ministers stood up in respect. This infuriated Ravan who immediately asked him to identify himself. Angad introduced himself, first as an envoy from the Lord and then as the son of a friend. He further informed Ravan that he had come for Ravan's own welfare. He spoke highly of Ravan's lineage and his great achievements. He then pointed out Ravan's great error in abducting Mother Sita and implored him to rectify the mistake by returning Mother Sita to Sri Ram and seeking His forgiveness. He assured Ravan of Sri Ram's compassionate nature. Quite clearly, Angad was carrying out the Lord's command wherein he was asked to advance the Lord's cause as well as serve Ravan's interest at the same time.
Ravan responded to Angad's simple and sincere words with sarcasm and ridicule. He demanded to know who Angad's father was and how he came to be his friend. Angad decided to speak to Ravan in a similar strain, saying that he was Angad, the son of Vali, adding that he may have perhaps met him whilst he knew all along that Ravan was once defeated by Vali. Ravan then tried to use intrigue to turn Angad against Sri Ram by asking him where his father now was whilst he knew full well that his father had been killed by Sri Ram. Ravan thus tried to awaken bitterness and remorse in Angad by reminding him that he was acting as envoy for the one who had killed his father. He felt that if he could turn Angad against Sri Ram, then his intrigue or plot could succeed. His word's were a challenge to Angad's sense of pride and self-respect and truly it was a situation which anyone would find difficult to overcome, let alone such a brave and strong warrior prince such as Angad. But Angad's reply pulled the rug from under Ravan's feet when he said, "'Ten days hence you shall go to Vali and embracing your friend personally enquire after his welfare. He would tell you all about the welfare that follows from hostility to Sri Ram.'"(Ramcharitmanas 6/20/4-5)
The sarcasm of Angad was an attempt to put Ravan to shame, but it may be asked here that in doing so , was Angad not also at the same time undermining the prestige of his father? Would any self -respecting son who held his father's memory in high esteem and honour speak such words? A superficial glance would indeed make it appear so, but his following statement to Ravan shows the depth of Angad's own view on the matter when he said, "'Listen, O fool: the seeds of dissension can be sown in the mind of him alone whose heart is closed to the hero of Raghu's line.'" (Ramcharitmanas 6/20/-5)
Angad had now reached the realisation that Sri Ram was indeed the Cosmic Being or Universal Self. His father's death at the hands of Sri Ram was not inspired by hatred or enmity, but was rather like a surgical necessity for the preservation of the general universal welfare. Angad had arisen above petty loyalties and clannishness. He was disappointed that Ravan could not learn from Vali's fate and that all his sincere attempts to redeem Ravan were rejected by him in their entirety. Ravan continued to boast of his own might and achievements and tried his best to belittle and blaspheme the Lord. This infuriated Angad who then, "gave a loud yell and furiously struck both his mighty arms against the ground." (Ramcharitmanas(6/31/2). The earth shook and Ravan's ministers were thrown off their seats and in great fear they tried to retreat. Ravan too was about to topple down but recovered himself and stood up. But all of his ten beautiful crowns from his ten heads fell to the ground. He quickly picked up six of the crowns and set them on his heads. But before he could recover the remaining four, Angad sent them flying to the Lord. Angad's action of striking the ground with his fists and toppling Ravan and his ministers had far reaching significance. Earlier, when Hanumanji advised Ravan to return Mother Sita to Sri Ram and thereby establish himself as the unshakeable ruler of Lanka, Ravan laughed in scorn as he already considered his rule over Lanka as being unshakeable. Angad now proved to Ravan the truth of Hanumanji's words and his own foolhardy opinion. He demonstrated to Ravan and his entire court that when his administration was not able to bear a single blow from the fist of a monkey, then what would happen to that kingdom when struck by the Lord was beyond imagination. Ravan ignored this implication and thought that he had the upper hand in the situation by recovering six of his ten crowns. On the other hand, Angad, having seized the remaining four crowns did not even think for a moment of retaining them as momentos of his own power and success, but immediately surrendered them to the feet of the Lord.
Ravan then furiously called on his ministers to seize the monkey and slay him and thereafter to devour every bear and monkey they could find and finally to capture Sri Ram and Lakshman alive. This instruction from Ravan appears ludicrous if we consider the prevailing scene in his court. It was however, a desperate effort on his part to maintain the stranglehold of authority he had over his kingdom. He realised that the terror he had invoked all around him to maintain that authority was grossly undermined by Angad's words and deeds. It was with desperation that he uttered these words to try and regain control of the situation. Angad, on the other hand, fearlessly and stoutly nullified Ravan's effort to boost his follower's morale by confidently stating that there was nothing that Ravan or any of his followers could do to harm him. He boldly exclaimed that through the grace of the Lord, he alone was capable of destroying Ravan and his entire kingdom.
Although Angad had initially gone to Ravan's court to sincerely seek a solution to the problem in such a way as to fulfill the Lord's cause and also benefit Ravan, he was now convinced that no amount of words could make Ravan see reason. He therefore endeavoured, and to a large extent succeeded, in undermining the stranglehold of terror through which Ravan maintained his authority.
Ravan resorted to his final strategy to boost the morale of his followers by smiling at Angada and declaring him to be a liar with only big words and no deeds to match. Angad grew indignant and firmly planted his foot in the midst of the whole assembly saying, "'If you can but stir my foot, O fool, Sri Ram will return forthwith and I shall forego Sita as a lost wager.'" (Ramcharitmanas 6/33/5). This pledge of Angad reveals such extraordinary faith and ethical skill that it is unparalleled in the Ramcharitmanas. The greatness and importance of faith has been glorified throughout the Ramcharitmanas. A glimpse of this can be found in the words and actions of numerous devoted characters. It was on the strength of this faith that Lakshman challenged king Janak in his assembly by declaring, "'What, then is this wretched old bow? Realising this, my Lord, let me have Your Command and see what wonders I work; I will string the bow as though it were a lotus-stalk and run with it not less than 800 miles. By the might of Your glory, O Lord, I will snap it like the stalk of a mushroom. Or, if I fail, I swear by Your feet never to handle a bow or quiver again.'" (Ramcharitmanas 1/252/3-4, 253). It was also on the strength of this faith that Hanumanji was able to leap across the ocean and wreak havoc in Lanka setting fire to the entire city. But even these two great demonstrations of faith cannot compare to the pledge of Angad. This was such a pledge, which when read even today, the hearts of countless devotees begin to tremble. They dread to think what could have been the outcome should Angad's foot be moved. Many people consider this pledge to be an unqualified gamble to which there is no parallel in history. Even in the Mahabharata, the terrible risk taken by the Pandava's in staking Draupadi was not as ominous as this because in that instance the Pandava's staked their own wife whereas here Angad staked the wife of another. Was he entitled to do so and could this audacity of his be justified? Superficially seen,this criticism of Angad may appear to be fully justified, but when examined in the light of devotion and faith, then such criticism becomes meaningless. In actual fact, Angad was not a gambler and neither was he taking any risks. The possibilities of gain and loss, birth and death, victory and defeat etc. only exist in the absence of complete faith in the Lord. The faith of Angad had ripened to the extent that there was no place left for any doubt. To view Angad as a gambler in that situation would be an act of disrespect to his indomitable faith in the Lord. The foot of Angad had in reality come to symbolise his unshakable faith in the Lord.
In as far as Ravan was concerned, this was decidedly a gamble - a gamble in which he himself had nothing to lose but everything to gain. The hidden fear of defeat which lay deep in his heart compelled him to take up the challenge as this appeared to him to be the easiest way in which to emerge the winner. He did not have the courage to declare to Angad that Sita was already in his captivity and if his Lord had the power, then let Him defeat him in battle and take her from him. He did not even consider Angad's authority in making such a pledge and whether Sri Ram would consider it as binding on Him. It seems that in his greed and lust, the intelligence of Ravan came to nought and the truth of the matter is that Angad had succeeded in stripping him, not only of his crowns, but also his entire garb of self-confidence and hypocrisy and he stood revealed for what he was.
When all the demons failed to shake Angad's foot, Ravan himself was forced to rise from his throne and bow towards Angad's foot in order to grasp it. Angad then surprised everyone by withdrawing his foot and chiding Ravan with the words, "'You cannot be saved by clinging to my feet. Fool, why do you not go and clasp Sri Ram's feet?'" (Ramcharitmanas 6/34/2). Ravan turned back in shame when he heard this. All his splendour was gone and he was robbed of his glory even as the moon fades away at mid-day. Angad withdrawing his foot when Ravan went to move it demonstrates great devotion, humility and renunciation on the part of Angad. Here was an opportunity to gain unimaginable fame and glory. Had Ravan, who had once picked up Mount Kailash with Shiv and Parvati seated on it, now failed to move Angad's foot, it would mean establishing Angad's fame and glory in golden letters on the pages of history. Angad resisted the temptation of this golden opportunity and used it to make one final attempt to inspire Ravan to the path of devotion. This sacrifice of Angad served only to enhance the greatness of the Lord. Such a devotee was he that he left no opportunity for anyone to say in the future that Sri Ram's victory over Ravan has no real value since he (Ravan) had even failed to move the foot of a monkey. Angad's dealings in the court of Ravan; his thoughts, words and actions reveal an extraordinary synthesis of statesmanship, ethics, devotion and self-surrender. He succeeded in defeating Ravan in every respect. His attainments in this respect were far greater than that of his father Vali. Whereas Vali defeated Ravan only in the physical sense, Angad defeated him physically, intellectually, politically, morally and spiritually. Furthermore, Vali's victory served to enhance his own prestige, but Angad used his victory to enhance the prestige and glory of the Lord. Angad's victory of eloquence was matched by his victories on the battlefield where he demonstrated his great valour, fortitude and military prowess. If anyone in the Ramcharitmanas can come come close to match the glorious and unparalleled deeds of Hanumanji, then that character must be Angad. Throughout the descriptions of the battle in the Lankakand, we find Hanumanji and Angad in the thick of the fighting. Wherever the battle appeared vulnerable on the part of the Vanar army, these two inevitably made their way there to turn the tide of the battle. "Rampaging in Lanka, the two monkeys looked like a pair of Mandaras churning the ocean. Having crushed and battered the enemies ranks by the might of their arm and perceiving that it was now the close of day, the two champions jumped down without any exertion and came where the Lord was." (Ramcharitmanas 6/44/4,45)
Whenever it was seen that Hanumanji was in need of help, Angad unhesitatingly and determinedly made his way there. "When Angad heard that the son of the wind god had gone to the fort single-handed, the son of Vali, who was so valiant in battle, reached the fort in a single bound as a monkey would do out of sheer fun." (Ramcharitmanas 6/43).
Angad's feelings and attitude towards Hanumanji have unusual but deep significance. In a practical sense, it may not be considered unusual for Angad to harbour feelings of doubt and suspicion towards Hanumanji. It was Hanumanji who united Ram and Sugriv which resulted in Vali's death. But Hanumanji's virtues and deeds were so transparent that Angad was never misled by them. He was always convinced of Hanumanji's good intentions and complete lack of selfishness, attachment and delusion. He was satisfied that if Hanumanji ever acted against Vali, it was out of a sense of justice and goodness and that Hanumanji was not capable of bearing malice against any individual. In fact, Angad always held Hanumanji in great esteem and reverence. The development of Angad's personality is due to a large extent to the inspiration and guidance provided by Hanumanji. In this sense, Hanumanji may be considered Angad's Guru.
However, the misunderstanding between Angad and Sugriv prevailed upto the end of the Ramcharitmanas. Angad cannot be entirely blamed for this condition as Sugriv's own weaknesses and sensuous nature contributed largely to Angad's suspicion of him. Perhaps the greatest factor that affected their relationship was Sugriv's attraction towards his mother. Angad saw in this not only Sugriv's sensuous inclination but also an act of revenge in retaliation for Vali's abduction of Sugriv's wife. Angad found this action of Sugriv very painful and unforgivable. It was because of these hidden feelings that he was reluctant to return to Kishkindha with the rest of his countrymen after the coronation of Sri Ram, when the Lord instructed them to leave. They had all been away from their homes and families for a long period. Even though none of them had yet expressed any feelings of homesickness and everyone appeared to be quite happy and contented, the all-wise Lord knew that it was inevitable and only a matter of time before such desires would arise in their minds. A similar situation had presented itself fourteen years earlier when the citizens of Ayodhya were so eager to accompany Bharat to Chitrakoot in order to meet and be in the company of the Lord that they felt no attachment to their property, possessions and relatives and were willing to discard them all. "Perish that property, house, happiness, friend, father, mother or brother, who does not gladly help one turn one's face towards Sri Ram's feet." (Ramcharitmanas 2/185). When they reached the presence of the Lord, they experienced uncommon bliss, but after some days, they began to recall and yearn for their attachments at home. "Now they conceived a liking for the woods and the very next moment they loved to be at their home." (Ramcharitmanas 2/301/3).
The Lord therefore wished to save the citizens of Kishkindha from a similar dilemma by giving them leave to rejoin their loved ones before the yearning arose and manifested itself. The gracious Lord was also considering the families of the warriors who were with Him, anxiously waiting for them in Kishkindha. Even though they were reluctant to leave Ayodhya at that time, they all accepted the Lord's order with the exception of Angad. Angad was in age comparatively younger than the others. He was also the successor to the throne of Kishkindha. In such circumstances, it is unusual that Angad should want to remain in Ayodhya as a servant rather than return to Kishkindha and be united with his loved ones. "Now Angad arose and bowed his head; and with joined palms and eyes full of tears he addressed the Lord in words which were not only most polite but steeped as it were in the nectar of life: 'Listen, all-wise, all-merciful and all-blissful Lord, full of compassion to the meek and the befriender of the afflicted: it was in Your charge, my Lord, that Vali (my father) left me while departing from this world. Therefore, recalling Your vow of affording protection to the forlorn, forsake me not, O benefactor of the devotees. You are my master, preceptor, father and mother, all in one; where can I go, leaving your lotus feet? Ponder Yourself and tell me, O ruler of men; severed from You, of what use is my home to me? Extend Your protection to this humble servant, a mere child, without knowledge, reason or strength. I will do all menial service in Your household and shall cross the ocean of mundane existence by the mere sight of Your lotus feet.' So saying he fell at His feet, adding, 'Save me, my Lord, and tell me no more, my master, to return home.'" (Ramcharitmanas 7/17, 7/17/1-4)
It cannot be denied that Angad had developed great love and devotion towards Sri Ram. But if this was the only reason for his wanting to remain in Ayodhya, then it would not have been possible for Sri Ram to deny his request. Sri Ram understood the real reason and it was to free him from this psychological complex that Sri Ram insisted that Angad return to Kishkindha.
Stirring as Angad's appeal was, Sri Ram in his infinite wisdom knew that Angad had to be somehow freed from this final obstacle to his psychological well-being. Therefore, he insisted that Angad return to Kishkindha and he persuaded him to do so. The gracious Lord placed His own necklace around the neck of Angad and sent him away after much consolation. "Hearing Angad's humble entreaty Lord Sri Ram, the perfection of tenderness, raised him and clasped him to His bosom, his lotus eyes streaming with tears. Investing Vali's son (Angad) with a garland that hang on His own bosom as well as with His own robes and jewels, the Lord sent him away with many words of consolation." (Ramcharitmanas 7/18a-b). The Lord placed the garland around Angad's neck in order to reassure him that if there was any feeling of hostility in the mind of Sugriv, the garland would set them at rest. The importance of this garland is perhaps best known to Sugriv. The Lord had placed a garland around Sugriv's neck to assure him of His protection and as a warning to Vali. Vali had ignored this warning at the cost of his life.
Angad then set out with a heavy heart on the road to Kishkindha. When they had gone a short distance from Ayodhya, Hanumanji pleaded with Sugriv for permission to return to Ayodhya and serve the Lord for a short while. Sugriv appreciated the faithful and invaluable service rendered to him by Hanumanji in his darkest hour of need and the fact that he remained loyal to him even if it meant sacrificing his greatest joy of serving Sri Ram. This loyalty was pledged as a Dakshina (fee) by Hanumanji to his Guru Surya Bhagvan (the sun god). Sugriv was so gratified with Hanumanji's service that he decided to free him from his pledge and he granted leave to Hanumanji to go and serve Sri Ram for as long as he pleased. Seeing Hanumanji about to return to Ayodhya, Angad beseeched him with joined palms to convey his prostrations to the Lord and to remind the Lord of him from time to time. When Hanumanji related Angad's love to Sri Ram, the Lord's heart was filled with ecstatic delight.
Amongst the greatest devotees characterised the Sri Ramcharitmanas, Angad is perhaps the most gentle and emotional of them all. Even his great valour and unparalleled skill in combat could not diminish his love and humility.
THE END
