08Rangarajyam
Posted Date : 06:00 (17/07/2018) July 17, 2018
Sakthi Vikatan Revised Nov 12, 2018
Author
Indira Soundarrajan. Images: M.S
Vibhīṣaṇa (Vibhishana) was a brother of Ravana.
Their personality and behavior patterns were antithetical, Vibhishana a
friend of Rama and Ravana the enemy. Vibhishana’s past birth was that of
the son of Brahma, Pulathiyar. Kaikesi asked her three boys, Ravana,
Vibhishana and Kumbhakarna to perform Tapas.
Kumbakarṇa the younger brother of Ravana tried to attain Realization of
Invincibility Boon (வரஸித்தி =Boon Success). The world of Devas was
tremulous. They could not take Ravana. And now his brother. No way. They
went to Brahma and appealed to him.
Brahma told them he conferred boons to those who performed severe
austerities. Sarasvati coming to know of their predicament, addressed
them, “Deities, don’t be perturbed. Courage is the essential quality of
Devas.”
The Devas: “True. How could it be correct, when the Asuras becoming
strong helped by Devas try to crush us?” Finally, Sarasvati told the
Devas she would take care of the Kumbakarṇa business, all by herself.
She did not show them the nitty-gritty of her proposed action. Brahma
impressed by and rejoicing at the severe penance by Kumbakarṇa, appeared
before him, Sarasvati, the controller of tongue and speech of all humans
and gods was ready to exercise control over Kumbarkarṇa’s tongue
(statement).
Kumbakarṇa wanted to ask for eternity (நித்யத்வம் = nittiyattuvam)
enjoyed by his brother but Sarasvati made him say Nitraitvam
(நித்ரைத்வம் -Nitraitvam = eternal sleep) by mispronunciation with his
tongue. Brahma with joy conferred on him the boon, as requested and
disappeared. That is how Kumbakarṇa became a ‘Sleep-Face.’
The Devas did not fear Vibhīṣaṇaṉ there was no need to seek help from
the goddess of speech. Vibhīṣaṇaṉ, the other brother of Ravana, asked
with a Dharmic poise for a mind and soul unforgetful of the Supreme God.
Brahma conferred on him the boon he requested. That is the reason
Vibhīṣaṇa stood alone in the court of Ravana. Hanuman was searching for
Sita in Lanka. He entered the palace of Ravana in the dark of night and
saw Vibhīṣaṇa sleeping on a decorated cot.
The poet says, living as a white man among the black demons is an
unusual sight, seated on a cot under a wish-tree canopy on the marble
platform in the coral hall. That was the description of Vibhishana, as a
Dharma Deva concealing and canceling the blackness of the Rākṣasas.
When Hanuman was tortured in the court of Ravana, fearless and brave
Vibhīṣaṇa told Ravana, “It is very wrong to persecute an emissary.”
Because he continued to point out Ravana’s evil ways, Vibhīṣaṇa was
chased out of the palace. He took refuge with Rama. No one except Rama
and Lakshmana were prepared to trust him. Other compatriots of Rama
looked at him as Ravana’s spy.
Hanuman pointedly spoke of the support he received in Ravana’s court
from Vibhīṣaṇa and was responsible for Rama’s decision to offer
Vibhīṣaṇa refuge.
In the war that happened later, Indrajit’s (Ravana’s son) Brahmāstra
felled a multitude of fighting men and monkeys. Hanuman on the
suggestion of Vibhīṣaṇa through Jāmbhavān brought Sañjīvī mountain whose
herb restored the breath of Lakshmana and resurrected the whole
contingent of dead monkeys. Indrajit performed Nikumpalai Yāgam. With
his illusory power, he created an illusory Sita, stood her before Rama
and the monkeys, and killed her by the sword, though he let Sita remain
in Asokavaṉam. Vibhīṣaṇa told Rama and Lakshmana that it was a magical
play and ploy, which they should not believe.
When the Ravana Vatham (death of Ravana) happened, Vibhīṣaṇa was
installed king of Lanka by Srīrāma.
However, for the timely help by Vibhīṣaṇa and his divine qualities, what
Rama wanted to give was not gold or wealth, but Praṇavākāra Perumal!
Why?
That day, it was a celebration everywhere. In the sky, there was a cloud
cover like a pandal with small clear spaces through which the sun’s rays
were shining like shafts of light. All the people of Ayodhya wore new
clothes. They clothed the backs of the horses and the cows with bells
tied to the four corners of the drape. The shining bells at the four
ends of the drape created sounds.
The festoons of spring vines and mango leaves decorated the front of the
houses and danced in the wind. All are for a reason. That was the day of
the coronation of Rama after completing forest exile.
Until that day, an impossible peace prevailed. Yes, there was no
deficiency in the reign of Bharata. However, the absence of Rama and
Sita was by itself a deficiency to the full extent. When that deficiency
was lifted that day, it was a new splendor in Ayodhya. A new enthusiasm
prevailed in the minds of the people.
To show off their enthusiasm, the uninhibited singers and dancers walked
the streets giving their performance.
The street wrestlers walked showing off their talent. The people perched
on the porches watched the parade of revelers go by. People felt that
the heavens descended on Ayodhya.
House after house, it was like a wedding party. They did not eat. They
fed their relatives, friends, and acquaintances, who in turn fed and
entertained them.
Every now and then, people raised an enthusiastic chorus of ‘Jaysrīrām.’
The audience in return echoed ‘Jaysrīrām.’ Inside the palace, the
enthusiastic festivities were many.
The monkey contingent accompanying Sugrīva and Srīrāma were strolling on
the streets and inside the palace. The people of Ayodhya welcomed the
Vāṉaras walking on their Ayodhya mud. Some hugged the Vāṉaras.
People of Ayodhya: We are indebted to you for the help you gave to our
Lord. Sugriva, Aṅgathaṉ, Nīlaṉ and their ilk rode chariots around the
city. Hanuman kept his eye on coronation details. He arranged the seats
under the supervision of Lakshmana. Bharata and Śatrughna came to
Hanuman and told him not to do any more service but to accept their
hospitality. They further told Hanuman to take rest. He gave a retort
shutting their mouths, “Service to Srīrāma is the most appropriate rest
for me.”
Vibhīṣaṇa was in the sanctum of Praṇavākāra perumāḷ. With his eyes fixed
on Perumāḷ, he took in the holy appearance of Emperuman’s Śayaṇa Kōlam
(Yoga Nidra pose = Yogic sleep pose = Conscious Yogic Sleep pose).
Vibhīṣaṇa: What divinity! What affability! This Mūrtham (form, figure,
shape or body) that came from heavens to the earth made Vibhīṣaṇa think
of many thoughts.
Because of this Mūrtham, this country is prosperous. Perennial rivers,
verdant groves, level roads, roadside mansions, congeniality, the
healthy mental attitude of regarding the loyalty to king above that to
parents. Everything is excellent about Ayodhya and its people.”
That moment, his thoughts wandered to Lankapuri. Lanka is heaven
designed and built by Mayan. However, the owner is Kubera. Ravana
cheated Kubera and seized it from him. He ruled a people who feared to
lose their heads if they did not lower their heads in homage and
respect.
Vibhīṣaṇa weighed, compared and contrasted Ayodhya and Lanka. Srīrāma’s
completion of forest exile gave a new life to Ayodhya. Because of the
war, Lanka is wholly destroyed. The people lost their relatives and
sustained physical disabilities. Besides, the infamy from Sita’s
abduction. Lanka has become the land of Sita’s curse. Vibhishana’s deep
sigh of breath burned his chest.
Vibhīṣaṇa: ‘How are we to change its character? So much beauty! Asuric
guṇa has pervaded the country. How could divinity and related qualities
spread there? If this Perumal takes residence in Lanka, could it be
possible the earth in Lanka could change into one of the holy places?
These questions dawned and took roots in his mind. In the fast rise of
these questions, they seemed to unravel.
When Vibhīṣaṇa was in a reverie with these questions and answers, his
sight fixed on Praṇavākāra Perumal, the invitation to attend the
coronation in Darbar Mandapam came, and he was getting ready to leave.
Will be Continued.
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