December 4 - Sarga 17 of Yuddha Kanda.
Vibhishana approaches Sri Rama for refuge. Sri Rama confers with his council what is to be done.
***
Vibhishana arrived in the sky where the vanara chiefs were seated, along with his four fierce, armed, rakshasa lieutenants.
To the vanara chiefs, they all appeared as giants, about to attack the vanaras.
स च मेघाचलप्रख्यो वज्रायुधसमप्रभः ।
वरायुधधरो वीरो दिव्याभरणबूषितः ॥
"Vibhishana looked like a mountain peak or a huge cloud in the sky. He shone like Indra himself. He held a splendid weapon, and looked to be a menacing warrior. He was wearing divine ornaments."
***
Looking at him and his huge guards, Sugriva and his lieutenants imagine the worst. Sugriva says that no doubt a rakshasa has come to kill them. The vanaras offer to equip themselves with huge uprooted trees and boulders for a counter-attack. Hearing their conversation, Vibhishana, still stationed in the sky, descends a bit and speaks:
"There is a terrible rakshasa by the name of Ravana who rules all rakshasas. I am his younger brother Vibhishana. In Janasthana, Sita was abducted by Ravana after killing Jataayu. She is in his custody, guarded fiercely by rakshasis."
तमहं हेतुभिर्वाक्यैर्विविधैश्च न्यदर्शयम् ।
साधु निर्यात्यतां सीता रामायेति पुनः पुनः ॥
"I advised Ravana repeatedly, with well-intended and righteous words, in several ways, that the right course would be to restore Sita to Sri Rama."
"Ravana, under the grip of Fate, not only summarily rejected my righteous advice as bitter medicine but also
सोऽहं परुषितस्तेन दासवच्चावमानितः - "I was badly insulted by him with cruel words as if I am his slave."
"I have left my children and wives and come here for refuge under Sri Rama. राघवं शरणं गतः "
"Please deign to take me at once to the great soul Sri Rama. सर्वलोकशर्ण्याय विभीषणमुपस्थितम् - Take me, Vibhishana, to the presence of one who is the refuge of the whole world."
Sugriva rushed to Sri Rama who was seated with Lakshmana.
"We have been attacked by the enemy! He is breaching our forces like an owl attacks unwary crows. So, oh Raghava! Please at once consider and direct us to take up military formations, to attack the enemy and defend ourselves."
"These rakshasas can assume any form they please and disappear from view. One should never trust rakshasas! This could be a spy sent by Ravana to reconnoitre and create rifts within our forces. They may also be Trojan horses waiting to launch a sudden attack. We can enlist any forest dweller into our forces, but never should we entertain these rakshasas. After all, this one calls himself Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana! Is there any doubt that his intentions are purely evil!? He has arrived with four lieutenants and claims to be seeking refuge under you. The only safe course I see is to destroy him."
***
Sri Rama heard Sugriva calmly. He now said to the council that a loyal wellwisher will always duly consider all aspects of his friend. The vanara chief Sugriva had chosen his words carefully and presented his proposed response to this incursion by Vibhishana. Sri Rama wanted others also to volunteer their views on this critical matter.
The vanaras started speaking. "Oh, Sri Rama, nothing in the three worlds is indeed unknown to you. Out of your affection and regard for us, you are seeking our views. "
त्वं हि सत्यव्रतः शूरो धार्मिको दृढविक्रमः ।
परीक्ष्यकारी स्मृतिमान् निस्पृष्टात्मा सुहृत्सु च ॥
"Oh Sri Rama, you are yourself a strict adherent to truth, most valorous, righteous and of proven military prowess. You never act without due deliberation and have a great memory too. It is only your kindness that you seek our advice as your equals and wellwishers. "
One by one, they spoke. Angada submitted, "Oh, lord! No doubt he is from the enemy camp and therefore cannot be trusted ever. He will break into our forces under a false pretence and attack any time. We should therefore assess what is our upside if we give him refuge, and what is our risk. That should drive our decision."
Sharabha suggested that they should have a counterspy trailing Vibhishana. The spy will tell them the truth of this rakshasa which can help in deciding what to do. The very wise Jambavan now spoke."Vibhishana is confessedly Ravana's brother and has come from his court. Is this the time and place for him to come if indeed he has good intentions? " Mainda said, " We should speak gently with this brother of Ravana and collect valuable information first. That can guide in the right action."
अथ संस्कारसम्पन्नो हनूमान् सचिवोत्तमः ।
उवाच वचनं श्लक्ष्णमर्थवन् मधुरं लघु ॥
"Then Hanuman, endowed with great samskaaras, the chief of vanara ministers, spoke brief, pithy and sweet words:
"Oh sire, Sri Rama, even Brihaspati cannot give you advice that you cannot figure out yourself, What I say now is not meant for debate, dissection or praise. I am speaking purely from a sense of dedication to the task in front of us. "
"There is no way we can quickly and surely find out the pros and cons of giving Vibhishana refuge. In fact, we cannot judge how trustworthy Vibhishana is unless we assign him a specific important task and see how he delivers on it. But even giving him such a task is unwise, I think. Also, how can we send counterspies after someone who is already in our midst? We can directly find out from him right now! I also want to comment on the view that Vibhishana has come to us at the wrong time and place."
दौरात्म्यं रावणे दृष्ट्वा विक्रमं च तथा त्वयि ।
युक्तमागमनं ह्यत्र सदृशं तस्य बुद्धितः ॥
"Forsaking at this juncture the evil-minded Ravana, and seeking refuge in you, Sri Rama, knowing your mighty prowess, speaks of Vibhishana's wise judgement."
"There is no way we can go back and subject him to questioning, by someone he doesn't know, on a matter that he has already disclosed. This may in fact lose us a valuable friend. "
अन्तरेण स्वरैर्भिन्नैर्नैपुण्यं पश्यतां भृशम् - "we should engage with Vibhishana in such a way that we can delve into his inner voice and assess the truth quickly and comprehensively." Hanuman adds that Vibhishana's demeanour and pleasant face leave Hanuman in no doubt as to his genuineness. No one can really hide their true colours and intentions, their body language will reveal them. Indeed, it would be easy to find out Vibhishana's true intentions.
After all, he has discarded the evil Ravana and has sought shelter with Sri Rama knowing fully well how Sri Rama has got rid of Vali and crowned Sugriva. In fact, he may be hoping that Sri Rama will give him the kingdom after Ravana's death. That would show his intelligence. That means Vibhishana should be enlisted for his full support in Sri Rama's mission.
Hanuman concludes that he has said what he thought through on the matter and now the very wise Sri Rama is the best person to take a call on this.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
