Angad

Also known as: Prince Angad · Family: Vánars · Role: prince · First appears: Book IV, Canto 15 · Tárá

In Book IV, Báli’s son Angad mourned his father, helping Sugríva place Báli’s body on the bier and pyre and joining the rites for his departed shade. Before his death, Báli had asked Sugríva to guard Angad as his own. After the funeral, Sugríva appointed Angad partner in his rule, and Ráma promised, “Thy princely Angad still will share My tender love, Sugríva’s care.” Angad served as messenger to Sugríva when Lakshmaṇ arrived at Kishkindhá, and later led a southern search for Sítá. When the search party despaired by the ocean, Angad resolved to fast and die; Hanumán spoke to guide him, and the chieftains swore to remain with him.

In Book VI, Angad led Vánars in the march south and was assigned a place in the battle formation and the assault on Lanká’s southern gate. Sent by Ráma to warn Rávaṇ to return Sítá, he delivered the demand, escaped the guards sent to seize him, and broke a turret from the palace roof. In battle he brought down Indrajít’s chariot and drove him from the fight, killed Vajradanshṭra and Narántak, and rallied Vánars who had fled from Kumbhakarṇa; Kumbhakarṇa later hurled Angad down and left him senseless. After further fighting beside Sugríva against the giants, Angad received jeweled armlets from Ráma at the consecration.