SURRENDER OF VIBHISHANA

SURRENDER OF VIBHISHANA

Some ethical questions arise when the surrender of Vibhishana to Rama takes place before the commencement of war. Vibhishana’s advice to Ravana falls on deaf ears. Vibhishana leaves the assembly of Ravana and comes to Rama. The ethical question here is – Is Vibhishana a traitor? Vibhishana goes to Rama as one seeking refuge as he is aware of the prowess of Rama. Vibhishana gives up the path of confrontation with Ravana. Indrajit calls him a traitor in the battle field. The ethical property of Vibhishana’s surrender lies in his realization that even at the time of impending destruction of Lanka Ravana is unwilling to hand over Sita to Rama. It is his moral right to advise Ravana but Ravana does not budge. He takes shelter in Rama so the guilty may be punished and unnecessary bloodshed can be avoided. He leaves his wife and children in Lanka and hurries to meet Rama. The question here is whether or not to accept Vibhishana as a refugee and make alliance with him. He has neither been in exile nor is he a destitute. Sugriva, therefore, doubts his credibility when Rama takes the opinion of his associates in the camp about forming an alliance with Vibhishana. Rama makes a keen psychological analysis of Vibhishana’s mind. He makes a pragmatic assessment of his arrival and says that he has come as a friend even if he had come with an evil intention, this cannot be a matter of censure. Sugriva counters Rama’s view that Vibhishana may have been sent by Ravana himself.