Whatever my Lord undertakes to do accomplishes itself; you have honoured me, Lord, by sending me on this mission.’ At this though the Crown Prince rejoiced at heart and the hair of his body bristled with delight.

Adoring the Lord’s feet and imprinting his majesty upon his heart, Angad bowed his head to the assembly and went forth. The gallant son of Bali, who was an adept in warfare, was dauntless by nature, cherishing as he did the might of the Lord.

As soon as he entered the city, he came on one of Ravana’s sons (Prahasta), who was playing there Words led to a fight, for both were unrivalled in strength and in the prime of their youth.

He raised his foot to kick Angad, who at once seized his foot and, swinging him round, dashed him to the ground. Finding him a formidable warrior, the demon hosts dispersed hither and thither, too much frightened to give the alarm.

They did not even whisper to one another what had happened; they remained silent when they saw the demon prince was dead. But a rumour was noised through the city that the same monkey who had set Lanka on fire had come again.

Fear gripped the demons, who began to wonder what Providence was going to do next. Unasked they showed him the way; if he but looked at anyone, that demon turned deadly pale.

Then, with his thoughts fixed on Rama’s lotus feet, he reached the door of Ravana’s council-chamber. And there he stood with the mien of a lion glancing on this side and on that, a stout-hearted warrior, a living mass of might.