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The Untold Tale of King Ramchandra’s Allies: Vibhishana’s Dilemma
- Chehak Sethi
- Oct 13, 2024
- 4 min read
Dussehra, the grand festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil, is synonymous with Lord Ram's victory over the demon king Ravana. As effigies of Ravana burn across the country, we are reminded of the power of righteousness and the inevitable fall of arrogance. While Ram, Lakshman, and Hanuman’s heroic feats are celebrated widely, there is one figure whose pivotal role in this saga is often overlooked—Vibhishana, Ravana’s own brother.
In this blog, we’ll explore the untold story of Vibhishana, the silent hero who chose the path of dharma even when it meant standing against his family. His journey is one of moral courage, sacrifice, and the difficult choices that define the true essence of righteousness.
As the sun set behind the distant mountains of Lanka, casting an orange glow over the kingdom, Vibhishana stood at the palace window, his heart heavy with conflict. He was the brother of the great King Ravana, the ruler of Lanka, a city of splendor and power. But Vibhishana's heart wasn’t filled with the same ambition or thirst for conquest that consumed Ravana. His loyalty, while rooted in family, was torn by his deep sense of dharma—what was righteous.
In his mind, Vibhishana replayed the events that led to this internal turmoil. His brother, Ravana, had abducted Sita, the wife of Lord Ram, and kept her imprisoned in the lush, enchanted gardens of Ashok Vatika. Ravana’s obsession with Sita had blinded him, making him oblivious to the potential destruction his actions could bring upon Lanka.
“Why don’t you see the truth, brother?” Vibhishana had pleaded in the grand throne room of the palace. His voice echoed off the towering walls, lined with golden pillars and ancient tapestries. “Return Sita to Lord Ram. This war will bring ruin to Lanka.”
But Ravana, sitting on his mighty throne with eyes burning with pride, laughed off Vibhishana’s warnings. “You think I, the ruler of the three worlds, should bow before a mere mortal prince? I have defeated the gods themselves!”
That was the moment Vibhishana realized that Ravana’s arrogance had clouded his judgment beyond redemption. Despite being his brother, Vibhishana couldn’t stand by and watch Lanka fall into ruin. His allegiance was not to Ravana’s pride but to the principles of dharma. He knew what he had to do, but it would cost him everything—his family, his kingdom, his very identity.
On a moonless night, Vibhishana made the most difficult decision of his life. He left the golden city of Lanka, the palace that had been his home, and the family he had grown up with. With a heavy heart and a handful of loyal followers, he crossed the ocean and reached the camp of Lord Ram.
The camp was abuzz with the preparations for war. Hanuman and Sugriva, leaders of the Vanara army, had their forces ready. Yet, when Vibhishana approached, there was a moment of stillness. A brother of Ravana, the enemy, had come seeking an audience with Ram. There was doubt in everyone’s eyes—could they trust him?
Ram, however, looked beyond the politics and the suspicion. He saw Vibhishana’s heart. He saw the pain of a man torn between his loyalty to his brother and his duty towards righteousness. With a calm smile, Ram welcomed him. “Dharma always stands on the side of truth,” Ram said. “If your intentions are pure, you are welcome among us.”
This act of kindness, of accepting someone the world would label as an enemy, showed the greatness of Ram’s character. Vibhishana vowed to help Ram defeat Ravana, not out of vengeance, but because it was the right thing to do.
During the great war that followed, Vibhishana’s knowledge of Lanka became invaluable. He revealed the secrets of the fortifications, the hidden weaknesses of Ravana’s army, and even the mystical powers that protected Ravana himself. But more than his strategic insights, Vibhishana’s courage to stand up for dharma became an inspiration for all.
When the final battle came, and Ram’s arrow pierced Ravana’s heart, it was not just the fall of a mighty king, but the victory of truth over arrogance, of righteousness over pride. In that moment, Vibhishana’s choice to abandon his brother’s dark path was vindicated.
After Ravana’s fall, Lord Ram crowned Vibhishana the new king of Lanka. Though his heart still ached for the family he had lost, Vibhishana ruled with fairness and justice, embodying the principles of dharma that had guided him through his darkest hours.
In the grand epic of the Ramayana, Vibhishana’s story often gets overshadowed by the grand battles and the heroic deeds of Ram, Hanuman, and Lakshman. But his tale is one of quiet courage—a reminder that sometimes, standing up for what’s right means standing apart from those we love.
This Dussehra, as we celebrate the victory of good over evil, let us also remember Vibhishana’s untold story. His journey teaches us that doing what is right may not always be easy, but it is always worth it. It reminds us that real courage is not in the battle itself, but in the choices we make, even when they come at a great personal cost.
As the effigies of Ravana burn, we should also celebrate the light of dharma that guided Vibhishana, for it is that light which continues to inspire righteousness, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
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