Sri Rama giving refuge to Vibhisana

(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 6 to 19)

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Rama giving refuge to Vibhisana while camping in the Southern Sea.

• Ravana consulting the ministers: Ravana consulted the council of ministers about their suggestions. He said that Sri Rama is coming with the Vanara armies and he will cross the ocean by any means. The ministers eulogized Ravana mentioning many of his battle exploits and said that Indrajit alone is sufficient to defeat Rama. Many demons like Prahasta, Durmukha, Vajradamstra, Nikumbha, Vajrahanu, Suryaketu, Agniketu, Indrajit etc. displayed their anger and said that they alone with kill Rama, Lakshmana and Sugreeva along with their armies.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 6 to 9)

• Vibhisana proposing Devi Sita to be given away: Vibhisana proposed not to take up enmity with Sri Rama who is on the righteous path and exceedingly strong, and instead give away Devi Sita. Vibhisana warned that the lives of the demons will otherwise be in danger. Ravana left the hall and entered his palace. In the dawn Vibhisana entered the palace of Ravana and again spoke words of counsel. He said that bad omens are being seen. The sacrificial fire was not burning well inspite of mantras. Serpents are seen near sacrificial posts. Ants are seen in the oblations to be offered. The milk of cows are getting curdled. Horses, elephants, donkeys, camels and mules are feeling misery. Cocks are making cruel sounds. Vultures are flying in the sky. Jackals are crying inauspiciously. Hence Devi Sita is to be restored. Ravana became enraged and sent away Vibhisana.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 9 to 10)

• Ravana summoning an assembly: Ravana went to the assembly hall and summoned the demons. Ravana asked Prahasta to guard Lanka well. Then he said that he is infatuated with Devi Sita. Ravana asked for suggestions so that Devi Sita need not be handed back and Rama and Lakshmana can be killed. Kumbhakarna said that Ravana should have consulted them before abducting Devi Sita. However, he will neutralize the dishonourable act of Ravana by killing the enemies. Mahaparshva suggested that Ravana enjoy Devi Sita forcibly and that they will defend Lanka from enemies. Ravana told of a curse on him by Lord Brahma due to his enjoying a celestial nymph called Punjikasthala. Lord Brahma cursed him that his head will break into hundred pieces if he enjoyed any woman forcibly. Ravana then boasted of his own strength saying that Rama did not know about his prowess. Vibhisana compared Devi Sita with a serpent who is engulfing Ravana and said that there is no one who can withstand the arrows of Sri Rama. Therefore he asked the ministers to free the king from the serpent (in the form of Devi Sita) for the good of the demons. Indrajit called Vibhisana a coward and said that he who has earlier conquered Indra in battle; how can he not face two men in battle? Vibhisana called Indrajit as one with immature mind and reinforced that no one can withstand the arrows of Sri Rama. Ravana abused Vibhisana saying that he is more afraid of a kinsman like Vibhisana who speaks for the enemy than the enemy itself. If anyone else had said so, his life would have ended there itself. Vibhisana became angry and departed Lanka with four demons.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 11 to 16)

• Vibhisana leaving Ravana and coming to Rama: Hearing the words of Ravana, Vibhisana became angry and departed Lanka with four demons as companions. He came to the place where Sri Rama was camping and halted in the sky itself. Sugreeva saw him with suspicion. He told Sugreeva about the evil intentions of Ravana and asked him to inform Sri Rama that he has come to take refuge of him. Sugreeva informed Sri Rama about Vibhisana and also expressed his apprehension that he has come for spying. Sri Rama asked other Vanaras about their opinions. The other Vanaras also expressed their apprehensions and said that Vibhisana should be allowed only after due investigation. Only Hanuman suggested that there is no ill-intention of Vibhisana because he is fearless and his face is expressing his honesty. Hanuman said that Vibhisana has come seeing the demerits of Ravana and merits of Sri Rama. He also wanted to be the king hearing how Sri Rama made Sugreeva the king by killing Vali.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 17)

• Sri Rama giving refuge to Vibhisana: Sri Rama finally said that he must give protection to the one who comes to him. Also, there is no fear from him from demons since he can destroy them at will. Sugreeva finally accepted the view of Sri Rama. Obtaining refuge of Sri Rama, Vibhisana descended from the sky and came to Sri Rama. Vibhisana along with his companion demons prostrated before Sri Rama and said that they have left their friends and families and have come to seek protection of Sri Rama. Sri Rama welcomed them and asked about the strengths and weaknesses of the enemies. Vibhisana told about the strengths of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Prahasta, Indrajit, Mahodara, Mahaparsva and Akampana. Hearing the words of Vibhisana, Sri Rama said that he has heard of those, and they are all true.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 18 to 19)

• Sri Rama consecrating Vibhishana as king: Sri Rama took the oath that only after killing Ravana along with his sons will he enter Ayodhya, and that thereafter he will make Vibhishana the king. Vibhishana on his part said that he will extend all possible help. Sri Rama asked Lakshmana to consecrate Vibhishana as the king with the water of the ocean.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 19)

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