Nala
Family: Vánars · Role: builder · First appears: Book I, Canto 1 · Nárad
Nala was born as the child of Viśvakarmá, and in Book I, Canto 16, he is named among the Vánars. In Book VI, Canto 22, Ocean identifies him as Viśvakarmá’s son, able to build a bridge across the sea through his father’s skill. Nala says Viśvakarmá had promised his mother, Mandarí, that her child would be “In skill and glory next to me.”
At Ráma’s command, Nala offers to build a bridge across the sea, and in Book VI, Canto 22, the work is completed “on the fifth, when sank the sun.” In Book VI, Canto 26, Sáraṇ also identifies him as Viśvakarmá’s son. During the fighting in Book VI, Canto 59, Rávaṇ wounds Nala and other Vánars, driving them to Ráma; in Canto 66, Nala joins the Vánars who rally under Angad and form up to face Kumbhakarṇa.
Relationship record
Life events
- Nala was born as Viśvakarmá’s child.(Book I, Canto 16 · The Vánars)
- With: Viśvakarmá
- “Nala the mighty, dear to fame, Of skilful Viśvakarmá came.”
- Ocean identifies Nala as Viśvakarmá’s son and says he can build a bridge across the sea.(Book VI, Canto 22 · Ocean Threatened)
- With: Viśvakarmá
- “By Nala, Viśvakarmá’s son, Who, born of one of Vánar race, Inherits by his father’s grace A share of his celestial art.”
- Nala says Viśvakarmá granted Mandarí a boon about their child’s skill and glory.(Book VI, Canto 22 · Ocean Threatened)
- With: Mandarí Viśvakarmá
- “My mother, ere she bore her son, This boon from Viśvakarmá won: ‘O Mandarí, thy child shall be In skill and glory next to me.’”
- Nala offers to build a bridge across the sea at Ráma’s command.(Book VI, Canto 22 · Ocean Threatened)
- With: Ráma
- “O’er the deep sea where monsters play A bridge, O Ráma, will I lay;”
- Nala's bridge across the sea is completed.(Book VI, Canto 22 · Ocean Threatened)
- With: Ráma
- “And on the fifth, when sank the sun, The whole stupendous work was done.”
- Sáraṇ identifies Nala as Viśvakarmá’s son.(Book VI, Canto 26 · The Vánar Chiefs)
- With: Viśvakarmá
- “Nala the mighty Vánar stands, The son of Viśvakarmá, he”
- Rávaṇ wounds Susheṇ, Nala, Gaváksha, and Gavaya with arrows, driving them to Ráma.(Book VI, Canto 59 · Rávan’s Sally)
- Angad rallied the fleeing Vánars, who stopped their flight and stood for battle.(Book VI, Canto 66 · Kumbhakarna’s Sally)
- After fleeing again, the Vánars obeyed Angad and formed up to face the giant.(Book VI, Canto 66 · Kumbhakarna’s Sally)
Book I, Canto 1 · Nárad
- lord: Ráma “A bridge was thrown by Nala o’er The narrow sea from shore to shore.”
Book I, Canto 16 · The Vánars
- parent: Viśvakarmá “Nala the mighty, dear to fame, Of skilful Viśvakarmá came.”
Book IV, Canto 13 · The Return To Kishkindhá
- enemies with Báli “Their foeman, Indra’s son.”
Book VI, Canto 3 · Lanká
- with Hanumán (Hanumán names Nala as one of the Vánars who will undertake the enterprise.) “Brave Angad, Dwivid good at need, Fierce Mainda, Panas famed in fight, And Níla’s skill and Nala’s might, And Jámbaván the strong and wise, Will dare the easy enterprise.”
Book VI, Canto 22 · Ocean Threatened
- parent: Viśvakarmá “By Nala, Viśvakarmá’s son,”
- parent: Mandarí “My mother, ere she bore her son, This boon from Viśvakarmá won:”
Book VI, Canto 26 · The Vánar Chiefs
- parent: Viśvakarmá “The son of Viśvakarmá, he Who built the bridge athwart the sea.”
Book VI, Canto 59 · Rávan’s Sally
- enemies with Rávaṇ “Susheṇ and Nala saw him fall, Gaváksha, Gavaya heard their call, And, poising hills, in act to fling They charged amain the giant king.”
Book VI, Canto 66 · Kumbhakarna’s Sally
- with Angad (Angad urges Nala to stay.) “O Nala, Níla, stay nor let Your souls your generous worth forget,”
- enemies with Kumbhakarṇa “They heard his voice: the flight was stayed; Again for war they stood arrayed, And hurled upon the foe a shower Of mountain peaks and trees in flower.”
- lord: Angad “They turned and formed and waited still Obedient to the prince’s will.”
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Extracted from the original text of The Rámáyan of Válmíki. Made with Rho MD.