Vibhishana Reaches Rama's Shore, Where Suspicion Meets an Unbreakable Vow
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 43
Doha 43 · Movement 1 of 2
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Absorbed in loving reflection, Vibhishana reaches the near shore of the ocean. Monkeys see figures descending from Lanka's sky and assume that a special enemy envoy has arrived. They hold him under guard and hurry to report to Sugriva.
Ravana's brother has come seeking a meeting, Sugriva tells Rama. The Lord asks his friend for judgment. Demon disguises and purposes are impossible to know, the monkey king replies. This may be a spy sent to discover their secrets. His counsel is to bind him.
Rama honors the caution as wise, then reveals the law by which he will act. His vow is to take away the fear of anyone who comes for refuge. Hanuman hears and rejoices. He knows the stranger's heart, but his greater joy is hearing Bhagavan disclose before the whole army the tenderness that no suspicion can close.
At the guarded edge of Rama's camp, strategy yields to the vow that no surrender will be refused.
Read the passage from the Manas
एहि बिधि करत सप्रेम बिचारा। आयउ सपदि सिंधु एहिं पारा।। कपिन्ह बिभीषनु आवत देखा। जाना कोउ रिपु दूत बिसेषा।। ताहि राखि कपीस पहिं आए। समाचार सब ताहि सुनाए।। कह सुग्रीव सुनहु रघुराई। आवा मिलन दसानन भाई।। कह प्रभु सखा बूझिऐ काहा। कहइ कपीस सुनहु नरनाहा।। जानि न जाइ निसाचर माया। कामरूप केहि कारन आया।। भेद हमार लेन सठ आवा। राखिअ बाँधि मोहि अस भावा।। सखा नीति तुम्ह नीकि बिचारी। मम पन सरनागत भयहारी।। सुनि प्रभु बचन हरष हनुमाना। सरनागत बच्छल भगवाना।।
Making such loving reflections, Vibhishana quickly arrived at this shore of the ocean. The monkeys saw him approaching and took him for some special spy of the enemy. Keeping him under guard, they came to their king and reported all the news. Sugriva said, "Listen, O Lord Rama! The brother of the ten-headed Ravana has come to meet us." The Lord said, "Friend, what do you make of it?" The monkey king replied, "Hear me, O King of men!" "The cunning of demons is unknowable. Who can say in what guise or for what purpose he has come?" "This cunning one has come to learn our secrets. I say we should keep him bound." "Friend, you have considered the matter wisely, but my vow is to remove the fear of all who seek refuge." Hearing the Lord's words, Hanuman rejoiced, knowing that the Lord is ever tender toward those who surrender.