Rama Lakshman Janaki in Exile no-watermark
Ravana did not like Vibhisana’s words “I am not a coward. I am not sending Sita back to Rama. Please don’t interfere in our plans.” He scolded his brother. Kumbakarna, another brother of Ravana, was also present at the meeting. He was a Rakshasa who slept for six months at stretch. On waking up, he would eat lots and lots of food and go back to sleep again. Just that day, he had finished one round of sleeping. Though he did not like Ravenna’s behavior, he decided to support him out of brotherly love and loyalty. Vibhishana could not tolerate his brother Ravana being provoked to war. He again advised him “Ravana, king of Lanka! Do you know who Sita is? She is a Goddess who can destroy evil. Her husband Sri Rama is the Lord of the Universe. None can fight against him. Not even Kumbakarna or you. So, act sensibly and send back Sita. Ravana, his son Indrajit and the Rakshasas thought that Vibhishana was behaving like a coward. Vibhisana’s frank talk was not liked by anyone. When he once again suggested that Ravana should avoid war with Rama, Ravana was very angry. Vibhishana, are you really my brother? You talk as if I am your enemy. I have spared you because I still have some affection for you. Otherwise I would have killed you this very moment. Don’t ever step into Lanka again. Get out from here”. Feeling sad that his brother ignored his advice, Vibhishana, with four of his followers, went to Rama and sought refuge under him.
“Sri” Vibhishana introduced himself to Rama, “I am Vibhishana, Ravana’s brother. I have come to seek refuge under you. I tried my level best to make Ravana realize his mistake. I told him to hand over Sita and make peace with you. He ridiculed me and drove me out of Lanka. Rama, please accept me as your humble servant.” Sugriva and the other Vanara leaders did not like this request, so they told Rama “Rama, Vibhishana belongs to the enemy camp. Moreover, he is a Rakshasa and a trickster. So, please think about this before you come to any decision. Hunumanth then remembered how Vibhishana had sided him in Ravenna’s court. So, he told Rama “Rama, Vibhishana has probably approached you as he can become the king of Lanka after Ravenna’s death. He expects you to help him just the way you helped Sugriva against Vali. In my humble opinion, we should accept Vibhisana’s friendship”. Rama agreed with Hanuman and said “It is my duty to protect those who seek refuge in me “. On hearing these words, Vibhishana fell at Rama’s feet and thanked him for this gesture.
Sri Rama embraced Vibhishana and promised him that upon Ravenna’s death he would be the king of Lanka. He then asked his friend about Ravenna’s army and Vibhishana explained everything in detail to him. Under Vibhisana’s guidance, the Vanaras built a bridge across the sea by placing logs of wood and big stones. In a few days the bridge was ready and cheering with excitement, the Vanara army crossed the sea and reached Lanka. As soon as the Vanara army reached the gates of Lanka, Rama divided them into battalions and placed each group at important places. The whole area echoed with the sound of conches being blown and bows being stringed. These sounds created a scare even in the minds of Rakshasas. Each one of the Vanaras fought bravely and injured or killed many Rakshasas.