Ravana Kicks Away His Brother, and Vibhishana Still Answers With Good
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 41
Doha 41 · Movement 1 of 2
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Vibhishana has spoken policy approved by the wise, the Puranas, and the Vedas. Ravana rises in fury. Death has come near you, he says. You live by my favor yet take the enemy's side. Who exists in all the worlds whom the strength of my arms has not conquered?
He mocks his brother's love for ascetics and orders him to go preach among them. Then Ravana strikes Vibhishana with his foot. The younger brother does not answer violence with violence. He catches Ravana's feet again and again. Shiva tells Uma that this is the greatness of saints: they do good to the one who does them harm.
You have struck me as a father might, Vibhishana says, but your welfare still lies in worshiping Rama. He gathers his ministers and rises into the sky, carrying neither revenge nor curse from the golden hall. He leaves while proclaiming the same saving truth loudly enough for all Lanka to hear.
Kicked from the court, Vibhishana carries only his brother's welfare into the open sky.
Read the passage from the Manas
बुध पुरान श्रुति संमत बानी। कही बिभीषन नीति बखानी।। सुनत दसानन उठा रिसाई। खल तोहि निकट मुत्यु अब आई।। जिअसि सदा सठ मोर जिआवा। रिपु कर पच्छ मूढ़ तोहि भावा।। कहसि न खल अस को जग माहीं। भुज बल जाहि जिता मैं नाही।। मम पुर बसि तपसिन्ह पर प्रीती। सठ मिलु जाइ तिन्हहि कहु नीती।। अस कहि कीन्हेसि चरन प्रहारा। अनुज गहे पद बारहिं बारा।। उमा संत कइ इहइ बड़ाई। मंद करत जो करइ भलाई।। तुम्ह पितु सरिस भलेहिं मोहि मारा। रामु भजें हित नाथ तुम्हारा।। सचिव संग लै नभ पथ गयऊ। सबहि सुनाइ कहत अस भयऊ।।
Vibhishana spoke words approved by the wise, the Puranas, and the Vedas, explaining righteous conduct. Hearing this, Ravana rose in fury: "Wretch, death has come close to you now!" "You have always survived by my mercy, fool. Yet you favor the enemy's cause, you dullard." "Tell me, villain, who in this world have I not conquered by the strength of my arms?" "Living in my city, you show love for ascetics. Go, fool, and preach your morality to them." Saying this, he struck Vibhishana with his foot. Yet his younger brother clasped his feet again and again. O Uma, this is the greatness of saints: they do good even to those who harm them. "You have chastised me like a father. But, my lord, your true welfare lies in worshipping Rama." Taking his ministers with him, Vibhishana departed through the sky, proclaiming this truth for all to hear.