6.019. lanka has a king-designate

Hari Om.

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

The unimaginable had happened! In fact, twice over!! Unable to bear the departure of his elder brother rAvaNa from the path of dharma, vibhIshaNa took a stand not to side with him in his defence of lanka against rAma’s looming attack. That would probably what most virtuous people have done. But vibhIshaNa was dhArmic. He had the good of lanka in mind and believed rAvaNa’s fickleness was going to bring doom for it and its citizens. So he took a stance and decided that he was going to not only leave rAvaNa but approach rAma for refuge. The first decision to leave was personal and four of his close aides followed him. But was there a guarantee that rAma would accept him? Perhaps, vibhIshaNa was sure. As he approached rAma for refuge, the vAnaras in high alert immediately readied to attack them but he stated his intention and requested sugrIva to carry the prayer of refuge to rAma. Here, mahaRshi vAlmIki shows the constrasting assembly. While rAvaNa’s assembly seemed to deliberate on the issue, there was very little diversity of opinion and whatever little was there, no sane voice seemed to support it. Here in rAma’s assembly the key warriors spoke their mind, they were ready to take vibhIshaNa in but wanted to test him more. This was impractical given that they could employ no spies on vibhIshaNa or even keep him on probation on a critical mission! The leader sugrIva was completely against this. As per his suspicious nature, he was sure that this demon would turn out to be a spy of rAvaNa and bring doom to them. It was the genius of hanumAn who grasped that vibhIshaNa could nursing the deire for the lanka kingdom knowing fully well the valour of rAma. This was a win-win for him as he would avoid adharma by opposing rAvaNa and also win lanka kingdom when rAma vanquishes rAvaNa! This intention has not been stated by mahaRshi anywhere before but seemed very practical given the power plays of the royalty. It was rAma who finally decided the matter from the point of dharma. He invoked the scriptures that clearly laid down that someone who seeks refuge had to be offered that as per the capabilities of the one from whom it is sought. Therefore there was no other thought but to accord refuge. Secondly, in the event that vibhIshaNa turned out to be a spy, rAma was supremely confident that he can negate the impact of that through his own ability. He declared that he possesses on finger tips, the ability to vanquish any demon or devil or anyone else pretty much in the three worlds. This finally brought sugrIva online and rAma hurried to welcome vibhIshaNa to his team. Onwards…

With rAma having offered refuge, very wise vibhIshaNa who was still in the skies with his followers descended on to the ground. Along with his associates, seeking refuge he fell at the feet of rAma and spoke appropriate words laden with dharma happily and said –

“I am the younger brother of rAvaNa and have been also insulted by him. I have therefore given up my kin and wealth and sought refuge in you who is the refuge of all beings. My kingdom, my comforts and my very life are in your control now”.

rAMa gave him a compassionate glance, pacified him with his words and showering his love on him asked him to tell him the strengths and weaknesses of the demons. Asked thus by rAma who is known to accomplish toughest of tasks with ease, vibhIshaNa began to narrate all about the strength of rAvaNa –

“O prince (rAma), by virtue of the boon that lord brahma conferred, the ten-headed demon cannot be defeated by any one including gods, gandharvas and the demons. Next to him is my another elder brother, the great kumbhakarNa who can stand up to even lord indra in the battle. O rAma, I am not sure if he you have heard about his commander in chief, prahasta who defeated maNibhadra in the famed battle at kailAsa. O rAghava, then there is indrajith who comes to the battle after offering sacrifices in the sacrificial fire. He comes in full battle gear with an invincible armour disappears and attacks the enemy with his arrows. Then there are mahOdara, mahApArSwa and akampana. He has an army of ten thousand crore demons who can assume any form at will. rAvaNa has fought with and won over the guardian deities with these warriors and the army and overwhelmed them”.

rAma with this solid valour then addressed vibhIshaNa and said –

“O vibhIshaNa what you have spoken about rAvaNa and his exploits are known to me. I will vanquish the ten headed along with his kin and prahasta and make you the king of lanka, I swear by truth.

अहंहत्वादशग्रीवंसप्रहस्तंसबान्धवम् ।

राजानंत्वांकरिष्यामिसत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमिते ।।6.19.19।।

Whether rAvaNa runs away to the hell or the nether world or to lord brahma, I will not spare him alive. I swear by my three brothers that, without eradicating him along with his kin I will not enter ayOdhyA”.

Responding to rAma’s assurance, the dhArmic vibhIshaNa bowed his head and assured that he will join the ranks of the army and help in the vanquishing of the demons and the siege of lanka. rAma was delighted to hear this and with full of affection asked lakshmaNa to fetch waters from the ocean and coronate vibhIshaNa right away. Thus ordered, lakshmaNa immediately brought water from the ocean and in full view of the vAnara army consecrated vibhIshaNa by the order of rAma. The vAnaras were delighted to witness this and hailed this”.

Then hanumAn asked vibhIshaNa –

“How shall we cross this unassailable ocean along with our army and the resplendent warriors? We don’t see any means by which we can accomplish this rapidly”. Asked thus, vibhIshaNa, the knower of dharma said –

“King rAma has to seek the help of the ocean. This immense ocean has been dug and facilitated by the ikshvAku king sagara. Knowing that well, the ocean ought to help rAma cross it”.

The advise given by the learned rAkshasa vibhIshaNa was liked by rAma who was dhArmic by his very nature. In the meantime, sugrIva came there. rAma addressed lakshmaNa and sugrIva and indicated his approval of vibhIshaNa’s counsel and asked both of them if they approve it too. Asked thus, the duo (lakshmaNa and sugrIva) immediately said –

“Why won’t we like this idea, O best among men. What has been spoken by vibhIshaNa is appropriate. Without making a bridge on the ocean, even the gods led by indra and other demons cannot get to lanka. Please follow the advise of this warrior vibhIshaNa. Enough of time lapse. Please engage with the lord of the ocean in the matter of how we will go across to lanka with our army”.

Thus told by his associates, rAma went to the shore, laid out the kuSa grass and sat on that. He verily resembled the flaming god hutASana (fire) on a vEdI (altar).