Sage
Narada visits the hermitage of Valmiki. Soon Valmiki saw sage Naratha Valmiki
welcomed him offer a seat and requested to tell elaborately about a man
absolutely nice with all noble qualities. Narada is a Brhama Rishi so he
will perceive all past, present and future happenings, hence he
describes a man with all virtues qualities and narrates briefly the story of
Sri Rama’s life. So as Srimat Ramayanam born from Sage Valmiki, contains of
23,000 slokas and 7 Kaṇḍas composed of about 480,002 words, which is an epic of
ancient times.
Valmiki Ramayana speaks elaborately about
Vibeshana. Even other Ramayanas like Tulasi Ramayana, Kamba Ramayanas speak
about Vebishana as well. Vebishana is Ravana’s younger brother. Though he
is from demonic race he was pious and considered himself a Brahmin, by his
father’s tuition with rational thought, and noble hearted. He was an ascetic
and from his early childhood, he spent all his time meditating on Lord.
Vibeshana performed rigorous penance and meditation. In summer he set up fires
in four containers on all four sides, he kept one more burning fire in the
center by him and engaged in the 'penance of the five fires'.(Panchagni
penance) In the rainy season he remained in the half standing posture of
'Veerasana', exposing his whole body to heavy downpour, and carried on his
meditation.(Varuna penance) He stood in bitingly cold water in winter and
continued. He gave up all food; the air he breathed was his only sustenance.
Brahma appeared in front of him and said “O Vibeshana I am pleased with your meditation ask any boon that you wish” Vibeshana said that “Prabo I wish to have always my mind fixed on the lords lotus feet and I wish to have Lord Sri Vishnu’s Dharshan “I should not sway away from the path of virtue in any circumstance. Whether joy or sorrow and follow all righteous paths. I should able to use the Brahmastra without any tutelage, kindly grant me these boons," Lord Brahma said that “O Vibeshana you will achieve Lord Vishnu’s Dharshan as you wish and granted that you will be able to fulfil all other wished desires and he disappeared.
Sri Tulasi das Ramayana Ramcharitmanas is
explaining Vibeshana’s previous birth.
Once, there was a king called
Pratapabhanu who had a minister, Dharmaruchi, and a brother, Arimardan. With
their help he conquered many neighboring kingdoms and ruled the country wisely
and well. One day, when he went on a hunt to the forest, he saw a bear. He
tried to shoot, but it escaped. He chased it deep into the forest but his
effort veined; when he was returning home, he felt thirsty and exhausted, so he
was searching a water source to drink water unexpectedly he saw a hermitage.
That was one of the kings who had been defeated by him taken shelter there, and
was living there costumed as an ascetic. Yet he recognized the Pratapabhnu and
decided to take revenge on him. Ascetic told the king “O majesty I did immense
type of penance so that I could recognize the sins on others so my feeling is
in my mind that you have a sin for that you have to feed all igneous Brahmins
which will make you free from the sin” so for that invite all Brahmins for a
feast and I will take care of all service to your Majesty” Pratapabhanu
accepted and invited lot of Brahmins. The fake Ascetic thought that this is the
time to get him the real punishment so he cooked (Nara Mamisam) the human meat
mixed with the food and he served to the Brahmins, when they about to start to
eat food an Ariel voice said that “O Brahmins do not eat that food all mixed
with human meat” heard that voice all the Brahmins emerged and got up from
their place cursed Pratapabhanu that he and his family be destroyed immediately
and they be reborn as demons. Meanwhile, the fake ascetic disappeared and
informed all the kings who had been defeated by Pratapabhanu of the curse of
the Brahmins. They all gathered together killed Pratapabhanu and his family. As
the curse Pratapabhanu was born as Ravana and his brother Arimardan as
Kumbhakarna and Pratapabhanu's relatives and followers were born as demons.
Dharmaruchi who used to advise Pratapabhanu to follow the path of dharma, was
born as Ravana's younger brother, Vibhishana.
Vibeshana is a character in the epic Ramayana. Though a half-demon himself, Vibhishana was of a noble character and advised Ravana, ” O dear brother, only succeed against those who are indifferent, who have been already attacked by an enemy or who stand struck down by fate. How do you wish to attack that famous Rama, who is always attentive, who has a will to conquer, who is established in strength, who has subdued his anger and who is difficult to be conquered Who can conceive or even imagine in this world, that Hanuman's speed in crossing the vast ocean, which is not the small watercourses and rivers?" "O, demons king the strength and the abilities of the enemies are difficult to be measured. They cannot be treated with contempt hurriedly by any means. Think what offence was done earlier to the king of demons by the famous Rama, whose wife that he sent away from Janasthana?" Remember how Rama destroyed Khara dooshanas without taking help from his brother Lakshmana? Being a courageous prince, he was able to stand alone and killed them. People in general are certainly to be protected, according to their own strength.so Rama is having mighty strength and power thus abducting Sita his wife will cause great destruction of the country men and us. It is not appropriate to make enmity for no reason with Rama, who is brave and follows righteousness. Send Sita to him before annihilate the Lanka with its elephants, horses and many riches by Rama’s devastated arrows, let Sita go to him; there is not much time as the huge army of monkeys which are unbeatable attack on our Lanka. Let Sita be given away, she is Rana’s beloved wife. Even after listening to my precautionary warnings, if you do not send her to her husband, it will be a blunder of your own accord. The city of Lanka will indeed expire. All our valiant demons too will die, "Abandon soon your anger, which destroys happiness and earn virtue. Option is the righteousness, which expands joy and fame. Be calm so that we may live with our sons and relatives. Let Sita go to her husband Rama." After hearing Vibhishana's words, Ravana left all of them and entered his own palace. Ravana, who had evil notion, all righteous path he did not like and he thought all words will not apply to him hence he got enraged and uttered this reply. He called Vibeshana and said “O Vibeshana you are all consuming my wealth and devoting others, you are wasteful brother you are not need any more to me, go to him and I am exceling you from the kingdom, go away from my sight” Hearing this word from him and went to see his mother Kaikesi and told her what happened in the palace so his mother was very sad and said “O my son you are a very good and favorable to your father Sage Vishrava, who was the son of Sage Pulatsya, one of the Heavenly Guardians, so you go and serve Sri Rama. Vibeshana left the kingdom, wife and children and went to Rama and surrendered himself and Sri Rama also accepted him very happily. His penance boon answered and fulfilled. Because of his vast penance he could develop freedom from all worldly desires and was able to give up all his wealth and family, and bring together with Rama, who was Avatar (God Vishnu incarnation). Rama ended up being victorious in the great battle and he accepted Vibhishana's service and anointed him the King of Lanka.
ஆயவன் வளர்ந்த தன் தாதை யாக்கையைமாயவன் பிளந்திட மகிழ்ந்த மைந்தனும், ஏயும் நம் பகைஞனுக்கு இனிய நண்பு செய் நீயுமே நிகர்; பிறர் நிகர்க்க நேர்வரோ? (Kamba Ramayanam)
Message: -
The difference between Ravana and Vibeshana, Ravana was a
womanizer. Even he was a son of a great sage and learnt all sastras and highly
knowledgeable though he was having all demonic nature and also he was being
arrogant in all his life. The Greatness of Vibheshana was exists of a noble,
meritorious and righteous personality, so all sages are praising him in the
epic Ramayana. Another prime example is surrender of Sugriva. But Sugriva did not
surrender totally; he expected something from Rama so he made deal with Rama
and untrusted Rama in the beginning. But Vibheshana gave up all his belongings
and he did total surrender to Rama. He did not expect anything.
Vibheshana realized the compassionate nature of Rama even before coming to him
so Rama was supremely pleased that he had been able to secure such noble
friends. Paramatma will know about the jeevatma. Vibeshana is the best example.
Such persons do not need any protector. They are protected by their own
Righteousness." In this place I wish to write a prime comparison of
Bheshmar in epic Mahabharatha and Vibeshana in epic Ramayana. I have an
interesting observation and would like to share at this point. Bheeshmar
and Vibeshana the both are in the same and alike situations. It is
very clear vision that Vibeshana is greater than Bheeshmar the reason is
Bheeshmar was very well aware of the Kauravas and Drutrashtra’s nature and
committing a serious mistake, but Bheeshmar remained quiet without condemning
them. He accepted the role of Commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army in the
Kurukshethra battle. But Vibeshana acted vigorously and severely condemned the
wrong action of his brother. He advised Ravana to return Sita to Rama.
Ultimately vibeshana renounced everything and pursued surrender completely at
the lotus Feet of Rama.
