Brother of Ravana; Rakshasa chief who represented pure mindedness and sided with Rama. (Glossary for the Vahinis)
Ravana’s brother, Vibhishana, was a great sattvika individual. From the time of his early childhood, he was spending all his time in thinking of the name of the Lord. (SSB 1977 p.155)
Vibhishana’s Wife and Daughters:
Sarama, the wife of Vibhishana, and her two daughters, Ajata and Trijata. (SSB 1996, , p.58)
Brahma’s Boon
Vibhishana was an aspirant par excellence. Even while he was a tender boy, he performed penance and propitiated the Lord. Lord Brahma appeared in front of him and said, ‘O Vibhishana! Ask whatever you want.’ Vibhishana said to the Lord, ‘Lord! Bless me so that I lead a life of righteousness, charity, and sacrifice. My heart should overflow with compassion and it should never be hard.’ (SSB 1996, pp.73-74)
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. (SSS Vol. 29 p.147)
Vibhishana said that he only wanted to have his mind fixed at the lotus feet of the Lord. He prayed that he be given the strength by which he will always be at the feet of the Lord. (SSB 1977 pp.155-156)
Brahma blessed him. By constant effort, Vibhishana filled his heart with the quality of compassion. That is why he could understand the Rama Principle. He lived a life of devotion, observing truth and righteousness. The name and form of the Lord correspond to truth and righteousness. Satya and dharma are the very core of the Ramayana. (SSB 1996, p.74)
Extract taken from: (Ramayana: A Divine Drama, Actors in the Divine Play as scripted by Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba Vol.5)
Sattvika Character:
Vibhishana symbolized sattva guna (serene, pure quality). It was only the sattvika Vibhishana who could get the grace of Rama. (SSS Vol. 31, p. 267)
Because Vibhishana had a sattvika mind and a sattvika heart, he could reach Ramachandra. Vibhishana gave up and broke his connections with his brother, his property and his wealth and reached the feet of Ramachandra. He decided that all his wealth and all that belonged to him could be sacrificed for the purpose of getting the grace of Ramachandra. If one has complete faith in God, one can achieve any difficult task. (SSB 1977, p.156)
God’s main address
God is your Protector. Protection by God is the talisman for you. God will do anything for you. Tyagaraja said:
O Lord! Who can adequately praise you?
I am waiting and waiting for your compassion.
Feel compassion for me.
You restored to Your preceptor his son.
You released Vasudeva and Devaki;
You blessed Draupadi with an endless supply of cloth.
You protected the Pandavas.
You quenched the yearning of Kuchela.
You transformed the ugly Kubja into a beauty.
Even Lord Brahma cannot satisfactorily describe Your glory.
I am waiting and pining for Your Grace.
Once, Narada went to Lord Narayana and asked, ‘O Lord! Where do you live? Which is Your main address?’ The Lord replied, ‘Vaikuntha, Kailasa, and Swarga are My temporary branch-residences. My permanent residence is the place where My glory is sung by My devotees.’ The Lord is the resident of our hearts. Let us find Him there. (SSB 1996, pp.74-75)
Vibhishana joins Rama
While Rama was busy talking to them, He saw a person rushing towards Him, calling out His name. This man was followed by four servants. The Vanara warriors stopped them and asked them many questions. Vibhishana, who was the person in question, replied: “I come from Lanka and am called Vibhishana. I am the brother of Ravana, the Emperor of Lanka. Since my brother is indulging in nefarious activities against Rama, the incarnation of Lord Narayana, I do not wish to live with him. I am a devotee of Rama and I have come to seek His Grace.” Hearing these words of Vibhishana, Sugriva advised Rama, “Lord! Vibhishana should not be trusted, since he is the brother of our enemy. He has come to spy on our activities and pass on the information to Ravana.”
Different people advised Rama in different ways. Then Hanuman said, “O Rama! A king has two types of enemies, enemies who rise from his own family and clan and enemies who hail from the neighbouring kingdom. This Vibhishana is not of your clan. He does not belong to a neighbouring kingdom of Ayodhya, either. Hence there is no scope for him to harbour any evil against You, like passing on our secrets to Ravana. Observe his devotion and treat him accordingly.”
Rama appreciated the advice of Hanuman. He called Vibhishana to one side and asked him to relate his story. Vibhishana said to Rama, “There is no limit to the atrocities committed by Ravana, though I advised him to mend his actions. I denounced the nefarious activities of Ravana and advised him not to enter into war with you. Ravana and his son Indrajit became furious and commanded me to leave the kingdom. They have branded me a traitor. I prayed for the welfare of Lanka and left the kingdom. I seek none else but God. I wish to sanctify my life at the feet of God. I have been chanting the name of Rama for a long time. It is the name of Rama that brought Hanuman and me close to each other in Lanka. I don’t need anything in my life except Your Feet. I do not want kith and kin. All I desire is Your proximity.” Rama then said, “Vibhishana, do not be frightened. Your brother will be punished for all his misdeeds. You will soon see this with your own eyes.” He then summoned Sugriva and Lakshmana, and commanded them to anoint Vibhishana as the future King of Lanka. Vibhishana prayed, “Lord, I have not come here with an eye on the Kingdom of Lanka. All that I seek is the Kingdom of God. Make me a citizen in that Kingdom or even a servant there.” But Rama crowned him as the Emperor of the Kingdom of Lanka, even though the war against Ravana had not yet commenced. Despite this, the Vanaras kept a watchful eye on Vibhishana, lest he betray their secrets to Ravana. But Rama trusted Vibhishana to the core since Vibhishana’s heart was immaculately pure. Rama accepted Vibhishana and declared, “You are Mine.” (SSB 1996, p.82-83)
Complete Surrender
Vibhishana was capable of that complete surrender (to the Divine Grace and the Power above) and so he was accepted by Rama and assured quickly. (SSS Vol. 6, p. 56)
Surrender in God gives Protection:
When Vibhishana came to the feet of Rama and asked to be permitted to surrender, Rama called the attention of those who were with Him, namely Sugriva, Angada and Jambavan. Vibhishana was coming from a distance, loudly proclaiming that he was coming with a view to surrender to Ramachandra. Rama told others that no matter who Vibhishana was and what his motives were, since he was coming to surrender, it was His duty to protect him. Once you decide and say that you belong to the Lord, then what does it matter who you are or where you come from? It follows that the Lord is yours. (SSB 1977, p. 166)
Man can accomplish anything if he surrenders to God. When he submits himself to the will of the Divine, there is no task he cannot accomplish. Kuchela, a boyhood friend of Krishna, approached Krishna for help on the basis of his old friendship. How did Krishna help him? The Bhagavatam bears testimony to what Krishna did for Kuchela. The Ramayana tells the story of what Rama did for Sugriva after the latter became a friend of Rama and sought His help. Sugriva was able to regain his kingdom. What did Vibhishana get after his constant remembrance of Rama and the ordeals he experienced in Lanka? Relieving him of his troubles, Rama crowned Vibhishana the ruler of Lanka. (SSS Vol. 31, p.60)
But Vibhishana saw that He was the Lord in human form and he ran straight to him for protection and surrendered unconditionally at his feet. So he was accepted without the faintest demur by the Lord, even though those around Him expressed apprehensions. (SSS Vol.6, p.62)
Vibhishana is another example of full surrender. Ravana had a gang of courtiers and ministers who catered to his whims and flattered his vanity; and while each of them advised him to challenge Rama in open war and keep Sita for himself, Vibhishana, his own brother, chastised him for his wilfulness and lust and urged him to save himself, his kingdom and his kith and kin by restoring Sita unharmed to her Lord. When Vibhishana went over to Rama, Rama knew that he had a pure heart that could not survive in the poisonous atmosphere of Lanka. So He took him and saved him. The Lord likes to be called Aartha-thrana Parayana (protection of, and devoted to, the distressed and oppressed) more than any other name, for He is most happy when He rescues those in agony. (SSS Vol.6, pp.128-129)
The real coronation is that of Vibhishana, performed under the auspices of Rama, a status won through surrender and sacrifice. (SSS Vol.5 p.300)
Vibhishana waited and waited for the hour of God. At last, that hour arrived, and he was crowned by God Himself. (SSB 1996, p.85)
Rama told others that no matter who Vibhishana was and what his motives were, since he was coming to surrender, it was His duty to protect him. Once you decide and say that you belong to the Lord, then, it follows that Lord is yours? The Sugriva asked. If Ravana himself came and asked for pardon would Rama do the same thing? Rama said that if Ravana did get such a good idea in him, He will surely protect him and make him the king of Ayodhya itself.
For us, to think that this aspect of surrender is appropriate only to older people, and that young students do not have to concern themselves with it is totally wrong. This is the appropriate age when you should surrender to God. When you grow older, you will then be able to achieve great things with God’s grace. (SSB 1977, p.166)
When Vibhishana sought Rama’s refuge, Sugriva, Jambavantha opposed saying, ‘Swami, You should never believe these Rakshasas. There must be some ulterior motive behind this act of Vibhishana. So ask him to return to Lanka.’ Then Rama replied, ‘Once someone says. ‘I am Yours’, whoever he may be; I will take care of him. So I will not reject Vibhishana,’ This is the testimony of God’s Love. Once you say ‘I am yours’, then live up to it with strong faith. Thereafter God will take care of you at all places, and under all circumstances. I expect and bless you so that you develop strong faith, give up vices, join good company entertain sacred feelings and attain Divinity. (SSS Vol.31, p.364)
The Company we keep:
Vibhishana was a sattvika person. When Vibhishana went to surrender to Rama and seek his protection, people like Sugriva, Angada and others, who were with Rama, asked whether Vibhishana, who was the brother of Ravana, would also not have the same bad qualities which were characteristic of his brother. The reason for this suspicion and for getting a bad name was the company in which Vibhishana lived. (SSB 1977, p.157)
Good company takes one near to God
In the Ramayana, we see that by his association with Hanuman, Vibhishana, the brother of Ravana, was transformed into a devotee of the Lord. On the other hand, Kaikeyi, because of the influences of the evil-minded Manthara, brought infamy and widowhood upon herself and estranged herself from her noble son Bharata. (SSS Vol.18, p .191)
Since, we are in the world of pravritti, even a sattvika person can change into a Rajasika person. Since Vibhishana (sattvika) was in the company of Ravana (Rajasika) and Kumbhakarna (tamasika), he had to lament a lot. Vibhishana waited and waited for the hour of God. At last, that hour arrived, and he was crowned by God Himself. (SSB 1996, p.85)
Only by dedicating himself to the service of Rama, together with chanting His name, can he (Vibhishana) experience Sayujya oneness) with Rama (SSS Vol.16 p.337)
The bad qualities that were in Ravana were spreading and giving their evil results to the entire Lanka and they spread even to Vibhishana who was a sattvika person. When Vibhishana went to surrender to Rama and seek protection, people like Sugriva, Angada and others who were with Rama asked whether Vibhishana, who was the brother of Ravana, would also not have the same bad qualities which are characteristic of his brother. The reason for this suspicion and for getting a bad name was the company in which Vibhishana lived. In this context, we should take care in choosing our company. We should take care to see that we will absorb the good qualities from the society in which we live in. If we join bad people and Keep Company with the bad people, in a few days we will also get into bad habits. When we join the good people and keep good company with them, we will also absorb good qualities from them. (SSB 1977, p.157)
By his association with Hanuman, Vibhishana, brother Ravana was transformed into a devotee of the Lord. (SSS Vol.18, p.191)
The Supreme Devotion of Vibhishana
When divine feelings do not surge in the heart,
Man becomes infected with two flaws.
He conceals his countless blunders, and
He criticises even minor mistakes of others.
The portraits of two personalities are very striking in the Ramayana. They are those of Sugriva and Vibhishana. Vibhishana went in quest of Rama, while Rama Himself went in search of Sugriva. Sugriva realised Rama’s greatness and goodness only after meeting Him, while Vibhishana knew of Rama’s excellence even before he met Him. (SSB 1996, p.69)
God above all is the destiny of human life
Nothing should come in the way of your seeking God. You must be prepared for any sacrifice or face any opposition for the sake of God. Prahlada faced the wrath and hatred of his father Hiranyakasipu in adhering to his faith in Narayana. Vibhishana renounced his brother Ravana when the latter stood in the way of his devotion to Rama. If a mother stands in the way of your devotion to God, you must be prepared to give her up, as Bharata did when Kaikeyi sought to separate him from Rama. Meera was prepared to renounce her husband rather than give up her devotion to Krishna. Emperor Bali rejected the advice of his Guru, Sukracharya, when the latter advised him to retract his gift to Vamana (Vishnu). These are the examples of the devotees who did not flinch in vindicating their devotion to God. The realisation of God is the goal and destiny of human life. (SSS Vol.20, p.82)
The righteous Vibhishana
Next day, both the armies prepared themselves for the battle. At the break of dawn, Ravana’s forces sounded battle drums, and Rama’s forces too sounded their battle drums, fiercely. This time, the second son of Ravana entered the battle. He cast magic spells which caused much confusion in the vanara flanks. Vibhishana, who knew all the tricks of the demons, countered the magic spells employed by the demons, and saved the forces of Rama. Rama said, ‘Oh Lakshmana, all of you did not want to accept Vibhishana as a friend in the beginning. But today, he is of the greatest use to us. He is great. He is unique.’ Rama correctly assessed the greatness of Vibhishana.
Vibhishana was a staunch supporter of dharma. When he found that his brother Ravana was indulging in unrighteousness, he denounced his ways and tried to correct him. He did not want to be a party to sin and unrighteousness. (SSB 1996, p.68)
One night, Vibhishana, brother of Ravana, went to Ravana to tell him that what Ravana did was wrong. Vibhishana held his brother’s hands in great endearment and said that the sin which Ravana had committed had brought distress to all the citizens of Lanka. He said that because of Ravana’s sin, there were snakes and cobras moving freely in every house where there should have been only recitation of the Vedas. In the temples where Shiva should have been worshipped, there were all kinds of insects and bad omens were seen because of the sin committed by Ravana. That there were insects in the food offered to God and that in places where Shiva was worshipped, there were snakes were all consequences of the fact that Ravana, though well versed in all the Vedas and knowing what was righteous conduct, still committed sin. It is only when an attempt is made to refrain from committing a sin that we do justice to human life. Even if a single individual commits the wrong, its consequence spreads to his entire household and to his family. If the King of a land commits a sin, then the entire land becomes a sinful land. This is why we say ‘Yatha Raja Tatha Praja’. The happiness and joy of the people depend on the happiness and prosperity of the king. The country’s welfare and prosperity depends on the rulers of the country. If our country, which is known for its immortal spirit and which is the embodiment of the spirit of Brahman and of all that is good, has today fallen to a desperate and frustrated level, there is no doubt that our rulers are responsible for this. If you young people are desirous of rectifying this deplorable situation into which our country has fallen, you must be able to cultivate good thoughts, do good deeds and have a strong determination to remove the evil in our country. Recognising the importance of truth, righteousness and morality and still not being able to put those values into practice is the greatest sin. (SSB 1974, pp. 71-72)
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 Indrajit 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 Indrajit 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?’ (SSS Vol.29, p. 143)
Vibhishana was a noble person
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 Indrajit derided such a high-minded noble person. (SSS Vol.19, p.146)
Kshama develops courage
Vibhishana provides the classic example. It was through Kshama that he acquired the courage to defy Ravana and cross over to the side of Rama. He arrived in Rama’s camp chanting ‘Rama, Rama, Rama’. Seeing Vibhishana in the distance, Rama immediately raised His hand as a gesture of grace and protection. However, the people around Rama said, ‘Lord, that person is a Rakshasa, a demon. He is the brother of your enemy. You must therefore not grant him protection.’ Meanwhile, Vibhishana kept on telling Rama, ‘I am Yours, I am Yours.’ Rama then said, ‘The moment a person tells Me ‘I am Yours,’ that person shall receive My protection, come what may.’ Such was Rama’s determination; you too must have similar determination in every spiritual endeavour of yours.
One day during the Lanka War, there appeared a young man on the battlefield. Vibhishana drew the attention of Rama to this warrior saying, ‘Rama, this person is mighty, powerful, and valorous. He is stronger than most, and You must slay him without fail.’ In response, Rama despatched an arrow felling the Rakshasa warrior; the young man was dead. Vibhishana then went near the dead body and began weeping profusely. Rama gently lifted Vibhishana and said, ‘What is all this? Why are you crying over this man?’ Vibhishana replied, ‘This is Neeludu my only son.
I urged You then to kill him since he was with the enemies but now, my emotion as a father is overwhelming me. I am unable to bear the sight of the death of my dear son right before my eyes. So, please grant me the power of patience and forbearance so that I can rise above such tragedies.’ Notice how unique is Vibhishana’s prayer. He said to Rama, ‘Kshama is my Satya and dharma; it is also Rama for me! Kshama is my God and I cannot ever afford to forget it.’ This episode reveals how even great men suffer pain if they lose their grip over kshama. On the other hand, with kshama, there are no limits to what can be achieved. (SSB 2000, pp.235-236)
Cultivate Spirit of Patriotism
You should give up Dehabhimanam (attachment to the body) and cultivate deshabhimanam (spirit of patriotism). After Ravana was annihilated, Lakshmana prayed to Rama to rule over Lanka. He said, ‘Brother, it is not proper on our part to disturb Bharata, who is ruling over Ayodhya. Moreover, the kingdom of Lanka is more affluent and beautiful than Ayodhya. So, it is my humble prayer that you should become the king of Lanka.’ Vibhishana too fell at the feet of Rama, saying, ‘Swami, I surrender myself, my wealth and the kingdom at your Lotus Feet.’ But Rama was not carried away by the affluence of Lanka. He said, ‘Janani Janma bhumischa Swargadapi Gariyasi (the mother and the motherland are greater than even heaven). I cannot leave my mother-land even if it is not that affluent as Lanka.’ This shows the love and respect Rama had for his motherland. (SSS Vol.33, pp. 57-58)
The value of gratitude
Rama thanked Vibhishana, who had helped Rama in wading through the webs of illusions created by the demons and who had done great service to Rama. (SSB 1996, p.102)
Failure to resist evil is an offence
Ravana s brother, Vibhishana, could not put up with the wrong deeds being done by Ravana. Opposing these actions, he tried to correct Ravana in all possible ways. But when his efforts failed and he had no alternative, he sought refuge at the feet of the embodiment of Dharma, Sri Rama. The prime offender was Ravana alone. But in the war with Rama, all the Rakshasas who supported him or sided him, perished with him. They paid the penalty for their abetment of his crime.
Whoever may commit an offence, whether a son, a relation or a close associate, one will be free from the taint of being accessory to the crime only if he opposes the wrong action and tries to correct the offender? If on the contrary, he allows it or encourages it to be done; he will be guilty of abetment. (SSS Vol.19, pp.187-188)
He was of demonic lineage and lived and moved among Rakshasas. He was aware that what his elder brother (Ravana) had done (by kidnapping Sita) was wrong. Knowing this, he warned Ravana in various ways. He repeatedly told Ravana: ‘This is wrong. You should not do this. It is not good for you.’ Vibhishana felt that it was his duty to warn Ravana (against his evil ways). Ultimately, failing to convince Ravana, he chose to give up his brother and seek asylum with Rama.
Always Speak Sweet Words
Vibhishana was always calm and composed and was free from hatred, jealousy and anger unlike his elder brother Ravana. The third brother Kumbhakarna was eating and sleeping all the time. The very name Ravana signified anger, jealousy and hatred whereas the name Vibhishana indicated peace and quietude. A man’s name influences his nature. (SSS Vol. 42, p.74-75)
What is beneficial may not be pleasing
The Message that will confer strength, peace, hope and fulfilment, surely is hitha (beneficial), though it may not be priya (pleasing). A patient has to take drugs and put himself through regimen that is beneficial; he cannot ask for only sweet medicines and comfortable regimen which please him. The Doctor knows best. He has to be obeyed, for the sake of recovery. The ministers of Ravana spoke only what was pleasing to him; they were afraid and so, they proved dangerous counsellors. Vibhishana, the brother, alone gave him the beneficial drug, the drug which would have cured him; but, since it was not priya, Ravana rejected it and fell into perdition. . (SSS Vol. 6, p.45)
Man suffers from fever of the senses
There are two things that draw man s mind, hitha and priya the beneficial and the pleasant). Prefer the beneficial to the pleasant, for the pleasant might lead you down the sliding path into the bottomless pit. Vibhishana spoke hitha to Ravana, but he lent his ear to the priya that his sycophantic ministers spoke. He exiled his brother and honoured his courtiers; he sealed his fate by this preference of priya over hitha. The true doctor is interested in curing you of all illness and so, he advises hitha to restore your health; the Guru is such a doctor. Obey him, even when his prescription is unpalatable, for, you can be cured only by him. (SSS Vol.6, pp. 52-53)
Develop a pure unsullied mind to get peace
Vibhishana was capable of that surrender and so he was accepted and assured quickly. It took Sugriva much longer to reach that stage, for he had some personal aims to realise, through Rama and his faith in him was clogged by doubts. Has he the skill he professes to possess? Can he kill such a formidable adversary as Vali? He surrendered to Rama only when his doubts were cleared. (SSS Vol.6, p.56)
Sadhakas have to be careful about food consumed
Ravana and Vibhishana, two brothers born of the same parents, had diametrically opposite natures because of the food they grew upon. Ravana relished Rajasika food while Vibhishana stuck to Sattvika. What exactly is Sattvika food? Food that confers Ananda to the body, mind and heart is Sattvika, that which sustains holy living; that which keeps one light, even at the end of the meal. The Sattvika are satisfied with one meal a day. Rajasika nature demands continuous feeding on hot stuff tasting sour, salty or pungent. Tamasika appreciate cold, stale, acrid tastes. The grosser parts of the food consumed are eliminated. The less gross parts build up muscles and bones. The subtle parts make up the nerves and the mind. Therefore, Sadhakas have to be extra careful about the quality of food they consume.
Fellow-feeling is difficult when the same quality of food is not preferred. When both live on Rajasika food, though they may have the same nature, friendship cannot last. Envy and hatred will soon break the bond. The Sattvika nature will free man from these evils and purify his mind, preparing him for the journey to God. For, God is Sattva (pure). (SSS Vol.16, pp.106-107)
Love For The Divine Transcends All Kin
How the love of the Divine manifests itself in a devotee is illustrated by the example of Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana. Vibhishana submitted himself to many indignities at the hands of Ravana out of the love he had for Rama. In the battle against the Rakshasas in Lanka, Rama and Lakshmana destroyed many of the great Rakshasa warriors on the first two days. On the third day a formidable warrior stood before them. Vibhishana told Rama: ‘If you conquer this warrior, the whole of Lanka will be yours. He is a greater warrior than even Ravana.’ Rama fought with this mighty Rakshasa the whole day, but could not vanquish him. Rama was on the point of giving up the battle for the day. At this stage-, Vibhishana, who was behind Rama, said: ‘This is not the time to give up the fight? You must rally all your strength and destroy the enemy. You should not miss this chance. I am telling this out of my love for you.’ Egged on by Vibhishana, Rama continued the fight and destroyed his opponent.
The formidable warrior fell on the battlefield. The moment he learned that the warrior was dead, Vibhishana also collapsed on the ground. Recovering himself after chanting the name of Rama, Vibhishana got up and confessed to Rama: ‘Swami! This is a mark of weakness on my part. I should not have succumbed to such weakness. Having filled myself with your love, how could I succumb to such weakness?’ Rama observed: ‘That s all right. But why did you collapse so suddenly?’ Vibhishana replied: ‘Swami! This happened because of bodily attachment. It was due to parental affection. That mighty warrior was my son.’ He was Vibhishana s son! See what Vibhishana did. To ensure the victory of the Lord, Vibhishana did not hesitate to get even his son killed in battle.
God is greater than son
Rama asked Vibhishana: ‘Why did you do this? Is it not wrong on your part? Why did you not tell me at the beginning itself that he was your son?’ Vibhishana replied: ‘When you are facing an enemy, you should not worry about any kind of relationship on the battlefield. In this war there is no room for considerations of relationship. When anyone takes up arms against you, he ceases to be a relation. Whether it is mother, father, son or anybody else, when he figures as an enemy especially against God, there can be no question of relationship. I have completely surrendered to you. I am your servant. I must be primarily be concerned about your victory and not about any temporary kinship. The only truth for me is your will.’ It is this abounding love of Vibhishana for Rama, which contributed to Rama s victory. Love for the Divine should be inextricable bond. All other worldly attachments are impermanent. Tamasika bonds are like iron chains. Rajasika bonds are copper chains. Sattvika bonds are like chains of gold. But, whether the chains are of iron, copper or gold, they are chains all the same. The nature of the metals may vary, but the chains are shackles nevertheless. Vibhishana declared: ‘I have no use for any of these bonds. I am content with the pure love of Rama.’ It is to demonstrate to the world the supreme quality of total love for the Divine that Vibhishana acted in this manner. Vibhishana is a sattvika (Supremely sacred) friend of Rama. Despite his long intimacy with Rama, Lakshmana was not in the same category. He was a sattvika brother, not a sattvika friend. Sugriva was a Rajasika friend. Jambavan was a tamasika friend. Vibhishana, though he belonged to the Rakshasa brood, stands out as a sattvika friend (pure and selfless). It is in this unalloyed purity that love shines. It is utterly invaluable. (SSS Vol.29, pp.217-219)