In his efforts to seek a peaceful solution, Rama sent several messengers to Ravana; Angada was one of them. Angada explained to Ravana that Rama had sent him as messenger to seek the release of Sita and that Ravana ought to heed this last appeal so that war could be averted. Angada tried every means to convince Ravana, but the ruler was dogged and firm to face a battle instead of returning Sita to Rama peacefully.
At one stage, Angada planted his foot firmly on the ground and threw a challenge that if anybody in Ravana's court uprooted his foot, Rama would concede defeat and return without Sita. All the rakshasa commanders of Ravana's army and even his son Indrajit tried to lift Angada's leg but none succeeded. Feeling humiliated by this failure, an infuriated Ravana began to hurl abuses at Rama, causing Angada to lose his temper.
Angada hit the ground with both his hands with such tremendous force that it caused mild tremors on the earth. Ravana fell on the ground and his crowns rolled off his head. The courtiers ran away in fright. Ravana tried to pick up his crowns but before he could touch them, Angada picked four of them up and hurled them in the direction of Rama.
When the vanaras saw the flying crowns approaching, they got frightened. But Rama knew that they were the crowns of Ravana. Hanuman caught the flying crowns in the air and placed them in front of Rama.
Ravana ordered his men to kill Angada, but he laughed out aloud and escaped.
In the war that followed, he killed Ravan's son Devantak.
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