Vibhishana, the noble and wise brother of Ravana, found himself in a profound moral dilemma. Despite his loyalty to his brother, he could not condone Ravana's unrighteous actions, especially his abduction of Sita. Vibhishana's persistent counsel to return Sita and make peace with Rama was met with scorn and insults from Ravana. Recognizing that his advice would never be heeded, Vibhishana resolved to abandon Lanka.
Seeking Counsel from Kubera
Vibhishana initially intended to go directly to Rama but
hesitated, uncertain of his reception. His mind was fraught with doubts about
whether Rama would accept him or view him as a defector seeking personal gain.
To find clarity, Vibhishana decided to seek the advice of his eldest brother,
Kubera, the god of wealth, who resided on Mount Kailash.
The Intercession of Shiva
As Vibhishana approached Mount Kailash, Shiva, the
all-seeing deity, took a keen interest in his predicament. Understanding the
critical role Vibhishana would play in Rama's victory over Ravana, Shiva chose
to join the meeting between the brothers.
Kubera, guided by Shiva's wisdom, welcomed Vibhishana and
listened to his concerns. Shiva, eager to ensure Vibhishana's alignment with
the forces of righteousness, imparted his divine counsel.
Vibhishana's Quandary
Vibhishana expressed his fears to Shiva and Kubera:
Fear of Public Perception: "If I go to Rama now, people
will say I have left Ravana because his bad days have come. They will believe I
abandoned my brother in his time of need."
Fear of Misjudgment: "If Rama later makes me the king
of Lanka, people will say I sought power and betrayed my brother for personal
gain."
Shiva's Divine Guidance
Shiva, in his infinite wisdom, addressed Vibhishana's
concerns with compassion and clarity:
"Go to Rama as we tell you. Rama is none other than
Narayana. Rama is born on earth to take care of his devotees. Go to Rama and
serve him. There will be some people who will always talk. Those things should
not be listened to. Once devotion arises in the heart, one needs to go to his
God. People will remember you as one who served Rama.
If you were going to get the kingdom of Lanka, things would
have been different. Prahlada was the cause of the death of his father and was
later made the king by Narasimha. Does anyone say anything bad about him?
Ravana has become evil and he needs to be destroyed. Go to Rama without any
doubt in your mind."
Embracing Dharma
Shiva's words illuminated Vibhishana's path. The reassurance
that Rama was the incarnation of Narayana, the protector of devotees, dispelled
his doubts. Shiva's reference to Prahlada, who was revered despite opposing his
tyrannical father, further strengthened Vibhishana's resolve. He understood
that his actions, motivated by dharma and devotion to the divine, would
ultimately be seen in the light of righteousness.
With his moral quandary resolved, Vibhishana bowed to Shiva
and Kubera, thanking them for their guidance. Empowered by their support, he
set forth to join Rama, playing a pivotal role in the eventual downfall of
Ravana and the restoration of dharma.
Thus, Vibhishana's journey from a loyal brother to a devotee of Rama stands as a testament to the triumph of righteousness over familial ties when guided by divine wisdom and moral integrity.
This episode is found in the Bengali Krittibasi Ramayana.