The Greatness of Vibhishana

The lives of two noble, meritorious and righteous personalities stand out in the Ramayana. One is Sugriva. The other is Vibhishana. The lives of these two are very sacred. Rama sought the association with Sugriva. Vibhishana came seeking Rama only. After securing the friendship of Rama, Sugriva realized the greatness of Rama. But Vibhishana realized the compassionate nature of Rama even before coming to him. Rama was supremely pleased that he had been able to secure such noble friends.

The Mahabharata war lasted 18 days, but the war in Lanka between Rama and Ravana lasted 75 days. These battles have become memorable. But even today in the heart of every individual the Kurukshetra battle is being fought between the forces of evil (as represented by the Kauravas) and the forces of God (as represented by Pandavas). Equally, the battle between Rama and Ravana is going on symbolically in everyone. This means that the war between truth and falsehood, between good and evil, is a perennial one. In the battle in Lanka many died on both sides. I do not relish dilating on wars. What we should seek to understand is the nature of the forces ranged against each other, what forces stood for truth.

Even in Lanka (ruled by Ravana) there was no lack of good people. While the battle was going on, one Rakshasa woman was running along, carrying a child in her arms. Hit by an arrow released by Lakshmana the child fell from her arms. Abandoning the child to its fate the woman continued to run. Seeing this Lakshmana remarked to Rama: "Brother! look at the callousness of these Rakshasas. Without caring for the fate of her infant child, the Rakshasa woman is running away to save herself." The all-knowing divine Rama told Lakshmana: "Lakshmana! you are making a mistake. That woman is not selfish. She is full of devotion." Immediately Lakshmana sent a monkey to fetch the woman. He asked her: "How is it you went on running, caring only for your own safety, without bothering about the fate of the child that fell from your arms?" The woman replied: "I was not running for the sake of saving myself. It is not as if I had no love for my child. I am clinging to my life with the sole desire to serve Rama if he takes us to Ayodhya after the destruction of Ravana. I pray for the advent of Ramarajya. I want to serve Rama." Then Rama remarked: "Do you see, Lakshmana, how mistaken you were? Even among Rakshasas there are good people. Vibhishana is the supreme example. Such persons do not need any protector. They are protected by their own Righteousness."

The next day, the battle started in the morning. Both sides blew their trumpets. That day Ravana's son Indrajith used all his magical powers to inflict injuries on the monkey hordes. Vibhishana knew well the wizardry of the Rakshasas. He shattered all the special missiles used by Indrajith and infused courage among the monkeys. Noticing this, Rama observed: "When Vibhishana came to me seeking asylum, all kinds of objections were raised against our accepting him as one of us. Do you see how helpful he is to us now?"

Indrajith and Vibhishana

Indrajith began performing a Yajna to destroy Rama and Lakshmana. Earlier, in the battle between Indrajith and Lakshmana, the latter had fallen unconscious after being hit by Indrajith's missile (Astra). Lakshmana regained consciousness after the application of a herb from the Sanjivini mountain brought by Hanuman from the Himalayas. Lakshmana resumed the battle with Indrajith, carrying himself on the shoulders of Hanuman. Vibhishana took both of them to the place where Indrajith was performing his Yajna. Indrajith was offering many human beings as sacrifice at the Yajna that was being performed at the foot of a blackberry tree. So long as Indrajith remained under that tree he could wield extraordinary powers. Vibhishana told Hanuman and Lakshmana to see that Indrajith was kept away from that tree as much as possible. Hearing this, Indrajith got very angry. He burst out: "Oh Vibhishana! Are you betraying my secrets and the secrets of Lanka to the enemy? You are a traitor to your race. He went on berating Vibhishana in this manner.

Vibhishana retorted indignantly: "Indrajith! It is natural for Rakshasas to be abusive as they like. But, remember that Rama is the very embodiment of peace. He is pure of heart, utterly free from selfishness. It is not possible for Rakshasas to understand the truth about such a Divine Being. Rama has entered Lanka for rescuing Sita and not for seizing the country. How can one who gave up Ayodhya itself voluntarily covet Lanka? Rama has no desire for anything. For a long time I had been warning Ravana that it is a grievous sin to kidnap another man's wife and appealed to him to restore Sita to Rama. However, Ravana paid a deaf ear to my words. He is destroying by his own hands his kingdom and his clan. Who is to be blamed for this? Is it me or your father?

Indrajith asked: "If my father did not listen to your words, you should have remained silent and not allied yourself with our enemies. Is this kind of treachery justified?"

Vibhishana gave a fitting reply: "Indrajith! You are an ignorant fool who knows nothing about truth and untruth, right and wrong. I am one who is well aware of the rules of right conduct. It is unworthy for a person to remain silent in the face of wickedness. Such inaction can destroy an entire society.

Bhishma and Vibhishana

In this context, it is interesting to study the conduct of Bhishma and Vibhishana in similar situation. It is clear Vibhishana is a greater person than Bhishma. Why? Knowing that the Kauravas were committing a grievous wrong, Bhishma remained silent without condemning them. Moreover, he accepted the role of Commander-in-chief of the Kaurava armies in the Kurukshetra battle. Vibhishana acted differently: He roundly condemned the wrong action of his brother. He advised Ravana to return Sita to Rama. Ultimately he renounced everything and sought surrender at the Feet of Rama.

Lanka had many such high-minded persons besides Vibhishana. But cowed down by the wickedness of the Rakshasas, they were unable to protest against the bad persons.

When Hanuman entered Lanka he noticed Vibhishana. Vibhishana told Hanuman: "Hanuman! I am living in the midst of the wicked Rakshasas like the tongue surrounded by sharp teeth. How long am I to live like this? How will I secure the grace of Rama? When will I be blessed with the bliss of being in His Divine presence! I have long been waiting for that great moment." Vibhishana lamented in this manner

Hanuman's advice to Vibhishana

Hanuman gave to Vibhishana then a significant message. "Vibhishana! Do not think that you are alone in being subject to these ordeals. There are many great souls who experience similar troubles. The Rakshasas constantly harass the Sages, the Avatars and all good men. However, take note of one fact. The tongue came first and the teeth emerged later. The teeth which emerged in the middle drop away in due course! Likewise these Rakshasas also will fall away soon. Do not have any doubt on this score."

Hanuman then went on: "Vibhishana! You have been attracted to the Lotus Feet of Rama. Cling to them firmly. Either He should bless you because of your perseverance, or you should merge in Him in course of time. There is no other way. It is wrong to give up the Lord in the middle. This is not the mark of a true devotee. What is devotion? It is not mere repetition of Rama's name endlessly. While contemplating on Rama, you must take part in service to Rama."

Vibhishana desired only to promote the prosperity of Lanka and the welfare of the Rakshasas. He was not interested in getting the crown. Ravana and Indrajith derided such a high-minded noble person.

Once Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana performed a severe penance to invoke the presence of Brahma. Brahma appeared before them and asked them what they wanted. He said he would grant them whatever boon they wanted. Kumbhakarna wanted to ask that he should be never at anyone's mercy ("nirdaya"). But by a slip of the tongue he asked for "nidra" (sleep). Brahma declared: "So be it." Ravana asked freedom from death at the hands of all deities, but did not ask for freedom from death by humans because he considered them trivial beings. Vishnu then decided to come in human form to put an end to Ravana. What did Vibhishana pray for? "Oh Lord! Fill my heart with compassion and make me lead righteous life."

Because of this boon, Vibhishana remained totally unaffected in spite of all the raillery and abuse by Ravana and his sons. Vibhishana always remained compassionate, never yielding to hatred or anger. Because his heart was full of compassion, he secured God's grace and proximity to the Divine. One without compassion is a demon and not a human being.

[Bhagavan sang a song in praise of compassion, which is the quality that redeems all, whether they are Gods or demons or human beings. All spiritual exercises or study of scriptures have no value without a heart filled with compassion].