6.018. rAma, tavAsmi – I am yours

Hari Om.

Let us begin the eighteenth sarga of the yuddha kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.

The exit of vibhIshaNa from the assembly of rAvaNa was a moral blow ro to the demon king even if he didn’t realize it immediately. It could prove very costly for him. Suspicious of vibhIshaNa’s intentions to show him down and advising him to return sItA, the demon king insulted him and looked prepared to do without him as well. He made no effort to stop indrajit when he called his elder, vibhIshaNa names. He made no effort to stop him when the younger brother decided to walk away after the showdown. On his part, vibhIshaNa steeped in dharma (Sundara kAnDam – 5.52) without a second thought headed to rAma along with his four ministers and sought his refuge! This SOS from the unexpected quarters of the enemy camp threw the vAnaras into a tizzy. They were ready to strike at the stranger who was a demon. But vibhIshaNa conveyed his prayer to rAma that he be granted refuge. The king sugrIva was anxious at this turn of events and advised exterminating the applicant without a second thought as he would turn out to be a spy and can cause untold damage. rAma listened to him and then turned to the vAnara warriors each of whom were capable of articulating their view point clearly. They advocated spying on vibhIshaNa, engaging him in a dialogue and deciphering his intentions, putting him on probation and out right rejection. The contrast that rAma’s assembly bore to rAvaNa’s yes men came to the fore. After everyone spoke, hanumAn spoke and found flaws in the suggestions of others. He said it was impossible to divine the intentions of another, especially an intelligent and wise person through any of the means advocated under the circumstances. He emphasized on the body language of vibhIshaNa and suggested that he was possibly seeking the lanka kingdom from rAma! After his due submissions, he left it to rAma’s judgment to decide appropriately. Onwards…

rAma was pleased to hear the point of view of hanumAn. The unconquerable rAma, established in his self and supreme self confidence said –

मित्रभावेनसम्प्राप्तंनत्यजेयंकथञ्चन ।

दोषोयद्यपितस्यस्यात्सतामेतदगर्हितम् ।।6.18.3।।

“I also desire to say something about vibhIshaNa which I would like to say in the presence of all you well-wishers. One who extends a hand of friendship is not to be discarded ever even if there is something defective in the person who approaches you. The great despise this”.

Hearing to this profound talk of rAma, sugrIva spoke words that excelled it in profundity and said –

“Whether he is good intentioned or bad is of no consequence. One who discards his own brother under such circumstances who is that someone whom he will not discard”?

सुदुष्टोवाप्यदुष्टोवाकिमेषरजनीचरः ।

ईदृशंव्यसनंप्राप्तंभ्रातरंयःपरित्यजेत् ।।6.18.5।।

कोनामसभवेत्तस्ययमेषनपरित्यजेत् ।

Responding to the question raised by the lord of the vAnaras, rAma thought through, looked at all the vAnaras present there and with a gentle smile on his lips, he said to the virtuous lakshmaNa –

“Without studying the scriptures and serving the elderly and wise, the words that the vANara king spoke cannot be spoken. However there is something subtle here that I discern. All kings employ this approach which is apparent and acceptable to the world. Enemies, those of the same clan and those foreign to them strike at an opportune time and that is vibhIshaNa has come here. The innocent ones of the same clan wish well for the king and advise him but it is normal for kings to suspect anyone. Listen sugrIva, you advised against giving refuge to someone from the enemy camp. I will tell you what the scriptures say about it. We do not belong to his clan or hanker for their kingdom. Further such people can turn out to be wise and hence vibhIshaNa should be taken. Kin always fear each other and are unhappy and enter into conflict. It is clear from the loud and clear appeal of vibhIshaNa that he is terrified. Hence he should be taken.

O dear, sugrIva, not all brothers are like Bharata, not all sons are like me and not all friends are like you”!

नसर्वेभ्रातरस्तातभवन्तिभरतोपमाः ।

मद्विथावापितुःपुत्रास्सुहृदोनाभवद्विथाः ।।6.18.15।।

sugrIva got up hearing these words, bowed to rAma and lakshmaNa and said –

“O great forgiver and highly capable rAma, realize that vibhIshaNa has been deployed by the crooked rAvaNa and hence I feel he should not be taken. Once we accept him, he will lay waiting for his chance and will strike at you or me or lakshmaNa if we trust him”. With this brief and meaningful recommendation, sugrIva paused his speech”. Hearing him out fully, rAma spoke even more meaningfully –

सुदुष्टोवाप्यदुष्टोवाकिमेषरजनीचरः ।

सूक्ष्ममप्यहितंकर्तुंममाशक्तःकथञ्चन ।।6.18.21।।

पिशाचानदानवान् यक्षनपृथिव्यांचैवराक्षसान् ।

अङ्गुल्यग्रेणतान् हन्यामिच्छन् हरिगणेश्वर ।।6.18.22।।

“O sugrIva, what if this demon turns out to be a good or a bad one? How would he be able to cause me the slightest harm? O king of the vAnaras, if only I wish, I can vanquish the devils, demons, yakshas and all just with my fingertips.

[rAma invokes a story from the lore] Have you not heard that the dove welcomed the foe, the killer of its wife when he came to its refuge and even offered its own flesh? If a dove can do so, what can a man like me do?

Also, listen to what the great sage kaNDu, the son of kaNva said in the ancient gItA that espoused the principles of dharma and satya. If some one in misery approaches with folded hands and seeks refuge, he should not be killed even if he is an enemy. When one seeks refuge, it must be given even at the cost of one’s life by a worthy person even if the seeker is desperate or proud or even if he is an enemy. If someone doesn’t offer protection to a seeker of refuge as per his own capability whether out of fear or illusion or intentionally, that act is condemned by the whole world. With refuge rejected by a capable person, if the seeker perishes, they carry away all their merit (puNya). Thus there is a great danger in not protecting the seeker of the refuge. It denies heaven, confers infame and destroys one’s might and valour. Thus I will abide by the benevolent and dhArmic words of sage kaNDu which will lead to fame and the heavens upon fruition.

सकृदेवप्रपन्नायतवास्मीतिचयाचते ।

अभयंसर्वभूतेभ्योददाम्येतद्व्रतंमम ।।6.18.32।।

अनयैनंहरिश्रेष्ठ: दत्तमस्याभयंमया ।

विभीषणोवासुग्रीव: यदिवारावणस्स्वयम् ।।6.18.33।।

If an afflicted one, only once says I am yours and seeks refuge, it is my vow that I will protect all such beings. Bring him sugrIva, I give him my protection, even if he is vibhIshaNa or verily rAvaNa himself”!

Listening to the proclamation of rAma, the vAnara king sugrIva was moved by his affection and said –

“O lord of the world – what is surprising about this at all? You are dhArmic and stick to the principles laid down by the noble sages. Even my sense is that vibhIshaNa is pure and trustworthy. I have examined his body language and conduct and arrived at this conclusion. Therefore, O rAghava, let the wise vibhIshaNa become our friend and be treated on par with us”.