Nila

A Vanara commander, son of the fire god Agni, who took part in building the bridge to Lanka.

Accounts of this vary across texts and traditions. This entry primarily follows Valmiki Ramayana, with other tellings (Ramcharitmanas (Tulsidas), Regional and folk traditions) noted where relevant.

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Introduction

Nila is a Vanara chief in the army of Sugriva. According to Valmiki, he is a son of Agni, the fire god.

In the war

Nila worked on the bridge across the sea and fought in the war. He killed Prahasta, the commander-in-chief of Lanka's army.

Sources

Valmiki Ramayana, Balakanda (primary text) — https://www.valmikiramayan.net/
Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddhakanda (primary text) — https://www.valmikiramayan.net/
The Ramayana of Valmiki: An Epic of Ancient India (scholarly) — https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691206868/the-ramayana-of-valmiki

This entry is independently written for myVamsam using the sources listed above. Where traditions differ, this entry identifies the relevant tradition rather than presenting one account as universally established fact.