Ramayan for Life Skills : Hitting Head Against Wall

Vibhishan, the pious and devout brother of Ravan went to his brother and saluted him. Ravan was very happy to receive his youngest brother with whom he wanted to share his anxiety. Vibhishan gave his counsel thus:“Hail and long live, O king of the Raksha race. You are my eldest brother and therefore equal to my father. It is better you return Sita to Ram and surrender before him, who will forgive all your mistakes. It is an ideal solution for the sustenance of our race. Don’t give way to illusions that our force will be sufficient to combat with Ram’s. The whole force of ours put together will not be able to stand against Ram. No fair weather friends will be around when one is in crisis. Just think about the heroic deeds displayed by Hanuman, one member of the monkey force. Many battalions of our generals could not equate with him. I have come to know that Ram is none other than Lord Vishnu, who has been incarnated to wipe out the erring Rakshas race, mainly because of your wrong deeds. Have you heard the valorous actions of Ram from his boyhood onwards? I do not have the mettle to see you killed in the battle field by Ram.”
Hearing his brother’s maxims and annotations, the enraged Ravan shouted: “You are wiser than me and have grown above me in wisdom and knowledge. But when I desperately need it, I shall send for you. Now you may go to your Ram and serve him. I do not need you anymore. It is not enemy that is the real enemy but the one who dwells together in the guise of a friend. If you don’t go at once, you will be food to my Chandrahasa.”
Vibhishan thought: No doctor or medicine can help if a patient does not want to keep himself alive. It is better to avoid death at the hands of Ravan and I am therefore seeking refuge unto Ram.
Thus thinking, he left Ravan along with his four ministers. Reaching on the other side of the sea, Vibhishan praised Ram from the sky and sought his refuge. Everyone including Sugreev objected vehemently to accept Vibhishan.
Said Sugreev: “Prabhu, he is Ravan’s brother and can never be trusted. He has come to get our plans to be leaked out and to deceive us. It is ideal to kill him here and now.”Hearing this Hanuman said: “No, You are mistaken. Vibhishan is a noble soul and a devotee of the highest order. It was he who came to my rescue as the whole Rakshasas attempted to kill me. He is very just and righteous.”
Sri Ram said: “What Maruti said is right. And over more, it is against the scriptures to deny refuge to one that has approached us with that intent.” Maruti called Vibhishan who ascended from the sky and fell at the feet of Sri Ram. The whole company of Sri Ram welcomed Vibhishan. As per Sri Ram’s advice, Lakshman conducted the coronation of Vibhishan as the king of Lanka, anticipating the forthcoming events.
Suka’s Bondage:
Ravan called one of his servants Suka and bade him to Sugreev. Suka flew through the sky and reaching above the vanar force addressed Sugreev:“I am Suka, Ravan’s messenger. Ravan has asked you to go back to Kishkindha instead of wasting your time. He said Ravan has said: “Since you are Bali’s brother you are brother to me as well and that is why I have concern for you. Even gods cannot reach out to my fort. What can a worm of a man do to me? You have heard about my strength and valour, I suppose. Yes, I have stolen Janaki. But what is it for you? Go back leaving Ram and live well.”Suka added: “These are Ravan’s words. What shall I tell him as your reply?”“Tell Ravan”, replied Sugreev, “That he would also be killed like Bali along with his wife, sons and relatives and I shall return to Kishkindha handing over Sita to Sri Ram.”As Suka was about to leave,Sri Ram asked the vanars: “Capture Suka and keep him in prison. Release him only when I say.”The vanars did accordingly.
K K Shanmukhan ( To be concluded)