In the Ramayana, Nila is described as the son of Agni, the god of fire, and as the "Kapishreshtha (foremost among the vanaras) in effulgence, reputation, and prowess".

[1] An important part of the epic describes the role played by the vanara army in the rescue of Sita, the wife of Rama who is kidnapped by Ravana, the rakshasa king of Lanka.

[6] In the narrative, Hanuman, Rama's devotee and vanara general, is chosen to fly to Lanka and search for Sita, which he succeeds in accomplishing.

Another tale narrates how as assured by Varuna, the stones dropped by Nala and Nila would forever float, but with the condition that they would drift in the sea without forming a contiguous structure.

The version has Hanuman suggest that the name of Rama be written across the stones so that they stick together, and describes the strategy as overcoming the proviso.

Later, when Prahasta dashes towards Nila with a mallet, the vanara fights back with rocks and finally hurls a huge boulder at him, thus slaying him.

[14] The Krittivasi Ramayan narrates how the vanaras are sent to disturb the yajna (fire sacrifice) that Ravana is performing in order to make himself invincible.