Vánars — Minor Figures

21 figures from The Rámáyan of Válmíki who appear only briefly. Each keeps their own page; this one gathers them so they can be read together.

Gaja

warrior · first appears Book VI, Canto 4 · The March

• Book VI, Canto 4 · The March · lord: Ráma “There be the hill-huge Gaja’s place,”
• Book VI, Canto 43 · The Single Combats · enemies with Tapan “The mighty Gaja Tapan sought,”

Gavaya

warrior · first appears Book VI, Canto 4 · The March

• Book VI, Canto 4 · The March · lord: Ráma “And Gavaya’s, strongest of his race,”
• 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.”

Vegadarśí

warrior · first appears Book VI, Canto 4 · The March

• Book VI, Canto 4 · The March · lord: Ráma “The bold Susheṇ’s impetuous might, And Vegadarśí’s piercing sight, And Jámbaván whom bears revere, Illustrious three, shall guard the rear.”

Chaṇḍa

chief · first appears Book VI, Canto 26 · The Vánar Chiefs

• Book VI, Canto 26 · The Vánar Chiefs · enemies with Rávaṇ “And boasts that his unaided powers Shall cast to earth thy walls and towers.”

Krathan

chieftain · first appears Book VI, Canto 26 · The Vánar Chiefs

• Book VI, Canto 26 · The Vánar Chiefs · enemies with Rávaṇ “That chieftain bending down to drink On lovely Veṇá’s verdant brink, Is Krathan; now he lifts his eyes And thee to mortal fray defies.”

Rambha

king · first appears Book VI, Canto 26 · The Vánar Chiefs

• Book VI, Canto 26 · The Vánar Chiefs · enemies with Rávaṇ “Mark, mark that chief of lion gait, Who views thee with a glance of hate As though his very eyes would burn The city walls to which they turn:”

Dadhimukh

keeper of the grove · first appears Book V, Canto 58 · The Feast Of Honey

• Book V, Canto 58 · The Feast Of Honey · younger kin: Sugríva “A noble Vánar, brave and bold, Sugríva’s uncle lofty-souled.”
• Book V, Canto 58 · The Feast Of Honey · lord: Sugríva “Dadhimukh escapes from the infuriated monkeys and hastens to Sugríva to report their misconduct. Sugríva infers that Hanumán and his band have been successful in their search, and that the exuberance of spirits and the mischief complained of, are but the natural expression of their joy. Dadhimukh obtains little sympathy from Sugríva, and is told to return and send the monkeys on with all possible speed.”

Prabháva

first appears Book IV, Canto 31 · The Envoy

• Book IV, Canto 31 · The Envoy · lord: Sugríva “Two Vánar lords of rank and fame; One Yaksha, one Prabháva hight,— Wise counsellors of gain and right.”

Vinata

Vánar chieftain · first appears Book IV, Canto 45 · The Departure

• Book IV, Canto 45 · The Departure · lord: Sugríva “Each Vánar chieftain sought with speed The quarter by his king decreed,”