Ravan said, “I will tell you the reason. Once long ago, I ravished an apsara called Rambha. She became like a wilted lily and went and complained to her husband, Nalakubera. He was very angry with me and cursed me. “Ravan, if ever you rape another woman, your head will burst into a thousand fragments”! This is the only reason why I do not dare take Sita by force. Ram does not know this, neither does Sita. However 1’11 make short work of Ram. How can a mere human being, helped by a pack of monkeys ever hope to beat the might of the rakshasa king”? With these words he roared uproariously with mirth. The rest of the court except for his brothers joined him and the whole court dissolved into laughter at this ridiculous picture of the great Ravan being defeated by some monkeys and bears. But Ravan had forgotten the boon he had received from Brahma. He had asked for immunity from death from all types of heavenly and demonic beings and it had been granted to him.
In his arrogance he had refused to consider human beings and monkeys as worthy opponents and now they were the very ones who were advancing purposefully towards him.
Once again Vibhishana tried to convince Ravan, “Can’t you see that Sita is like a veritable serpent round your neck. Your warriors are not powerful enough to withstand the might of Ram. Neither you, nor Kumbhakarna will be able to face him in battle”. Turning to the other ministers he said, “It is the duty of a minister to advise a king wisely and save him from the consequences of his own folly, if possible. Why are you all determined to bring about his own downfall and the destruction of our race? You are only hurrying him towards his death”.
Indrajit, Ravan’s eldest son, now spoke with impatience, “Father! I am amazed at these words coming from your brother. These are the words of a coward. Your name will be in dust, if you listen to him. His nature is quite different from yours. Do not listen to him, if you do not want to be the laughing stock of all people. I have made my name as a formidable warrior. I have made Indra’s valorous elephant hit the dust. Why do you think my valour will be diminished at the sight of these two human beings”!
Vibhishana listened to his nephew’s talk without rancour. “My boy, I am afraid you are not able to distinguish between right and wrong. You are not aware of the path of dharma and that is why you speak such words”. Turning to Ravan he said, “My Lord, listen to me. Take with you the rarest gems you have. Take also Sita and go to Ram and give her back to him. Then, once and for all, you can shed this burden from your shoulders. I entreat you to do what I say”.
Spurred by fate, Ravan bitterly reproached his well-meaning brother, “I can realise the truth of the words which people say. One can live amicably with an enemy and even with a serpent but not with one who pretends to be your friend, yet is always on the lockout for a chance to harm you. Fire and weapons I do not fear, the dangerous ones are the near and dear.
Bees fly away after sucking the last drop of honey from a flower, so the unworthy give up a relationship which has ceased to be profitable. If anyone else had spoken to me like this, I would have choked the life out of him, then and there, but because you are my brother, I will spare you but I curse you. You are a shame on our race”.
Vibhishana stood up, together with three of his friends and said, “0 king! I tried to save you from the effects of your own folly. Whatever I said, was meant only for your good. It is always easy to find people who will try to please you with honeyed words, but there are very few who will dare to tell a kin the unalloyed truth to his face. You are older than me, so I ask your forgiveness. But I cannot stay here any longer. You can be rid of the thorn in your side. I wanted to help you but when death is approaching, a man will be deaf to the words of well-wishers”. So saying Vibhishana departed to the other shore, to Ram’s camp, along with his four friends.
It is said that the three brothers Ravan, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana typified the three types of gunas or modes of nature – sattva, rajas and tamas. Vibhishana, was the example of sattva or the quality of harmony and goodness, Ravan, of rajas or the quality of activity and passion and Kumbhakarna, of tamas or the quality of inertia, sloth and stupor, hence his extreme partiality for sleep.
Thus ends the first Canto called “March of the Monkeys” of the Yuddha Kanda in the glorious Ramyana of the Sage Valmiki.
Canto II – Causeway To Lanka
After leaving his brother, Vibhishan went to the opposite shore and approached Kama’s camp. The monkeys who were guarding the entrance saw him and his four companions, poised in the air. He was decked with jewels and held a massive mace in his hand. Sugriv came out and observed him and asked the monkeys to prepare for a fight. Seeing this, Vibhishan spoke loudly from the sky, “I am Vibhishan, the younger brother of Ravan. I tried my best to advise him to return Sita to Ram but he insulted me and sent me out. I have abandoned everything I possess, including my family and have come to take refuge at Ram’s feet for I have heard that he is merciful and friendly to all creatures. Please announce my arrival to him”.
Sugriv ran back and reported the matter to Ram. “These rakshasas are wily creatures. They should never be trusted. He says he is Ravan’s brother but he may be a spy. He may win your confidence and then betray you. Like an owl, which waits for the opportune moment and then destroys the whole clan of crows, he will join us and wait for the right time and annihilate us”.
Ram gave careful attention to what he said and then asked everybody else to give their views. All of them were of the opinion that Vibhishan was not to be trusted.
At last Hanuman spoke, “I saw this man in Lanka when he spoke against Ravan’s wishes to kill me. In fact, it is because of him that Ravan desisted from putting me to death. Neither his mien, nor his behaviour, was suspicious in any way. I think he must have tried to advise Ravan to give up his plan and the latter must have refused. That must be the reason why he decided to quit. The shastras say that it is not correct to stay with one who is steeped in adharma. Moreover, someone who comes as a spy would not announce himself, as he has done”.
Ram, the compassionate one, was pleased with Hanuman’s words, for they were only an echo of his own thoughts. “Whosoever approaches me with a heart filled with love, I will accept with equal loye. I will not abandon one who has taken refuge in me, even though he may be filled with faults. This is my decision”.
