We can look at how the story evolves in Lanka and the southern tip to reach a point for the war to begin in the first few chapters of the Kanda. This Kanda details the famed war episode beautifully and equally intriguing is every chapter leading to the war. In the last post, we had seen the discussions within the demon assembly and everyone backing their King Ravana despite his wicked act of keeping Sita captive. As much as 99% are behind their evil King or representing the people led by a King on the wrong path. The assembly comes to life and discusses their actions after the havoc wreaked by Hanuman. Blinded by invincibility, unmatched strength and near immortal boon, the King perpetrates and carries out all evil deeds which the people blindly overlook and stand by his side. In addition, the same acts of evil are carried out by numerous other demons raising the very evil nature in the world to frightening proportions. When the world is ruled by evil and wicked without any opposition, the very nature heralded by their manifestation rules the roost. This forces the beginning of raising of a Rama and his own life converging with that of Ravana to establish rivalry and uproot the evil from its origin.
Not everyone in the Ravana Kingdom is bad as the remaining 1%, which includes Vibhishana, his brother, oppose him for Ravana’s own good. Vibhishana tries to reason with Ravana citing his gory act of keeping Sita captive, his evil lust for her, immense power of Rama’s arrow which comes to rescue her and decimate the entire kingdom. The sane and sage advice is heeded by none and Ravana insults Vibhishana on talking for his enemy and rejoicing at the misfortune of his own men. Vibhishana disregards thousands who meekly submit before Ravana with flattening words but will deceive him eventually. The bitter truth goes well with few and very few acts on it. The king, who don’t want to hear the truth, berates Vibhishana and enforces his departure. This will more or less concludes the conversation within the assembly in Lanka, where most approve not to return Sita and make empty slogans to kill ‘mere boys’. We can look at the proceedings in Rama’s ensemble in the following chapters as Vibhishana reaches to his side along with his men and the backdrop before constructing a bridge to reach Lanka.
In chapter 17, Vibhishana together with four of his companions reach Rama's place. Halting in the sky itself, Vibhishana asks Rama to give a refuge to him. Sugriva tells Rama that he cannot trust Vibhishana the demon. Then Rama asks for opinion of the leaders in his group. Angada, Sharabha, Jambavan and Mainda expressed their apprehensions to accept Vibhishana. But Hanuman says that Vibhishana need not be doubted because he thinks that Vibhishana understands the merits in Rama and demerits in Ravana.
Vibhishana reached the region where Rama was within moments of leaving for Ravana. Even as he stood wondering how he would be received by Rama's men, Sugriva saw him and voiced his concern about his intent. The vanaras immediately armed themselves with mammoth trees, massive mountain peaks and sought Rama's permission to bring down the enemy. Meanwhile, Vibhishana still high above the ocean shore saw the panic below and to allay their fears said, "there is an evil king who is the lord of the rakshasas and Ravana is his name. I am his brother Vibhishana. Slaying Jatayu and stealing Sita, Ravana holds her prisoner in Lanka. Because of my relationship with him, I too am part of that shame. Not only did Ravana refuse to return Sita to Rama but humiliated me and banished me from Lanka. I have come here to seek Rama's asylum."
Sugriva grew alarmed and hurried to Rama. He said, "Rama, Vibhishana is not only your enemy, but also Ravana's brother. How can you trust him?" When Rama asked the vanaras around him for their opinion in dealing with the situation, Angada, Sarabha and Jambavan said that Vibhishana should be tested before being accepted. When it was Hanuman's turn, he said, "I feel that Vibhishana has come to the right place at the right time. He saw Ravana's wickedness; he saw your greatness and made the right choice by coming here. I disagree that he should be questioned. No wise man will betray his true intent to a stranger. I see the serenity in Vibhishana's face and hear the sincerity in his voice. He does not come as a crafty spy. He would not be standing here so fearlessly otherwise. The face can never hide the feelings of the heart. Aware of you killing Vali and crowning Sugriva, Vibhishana has come to you for the throne of Lanka.
In chapter 18, Hearing Hanuman's words, Rama says that he cannot desert Vibhishana who is seeking refuge in him. Initially Sugreeva disagrees with Rama's opinion. But when Rama explains the different circumstances under which Vibhishana is acceptable, Sugreeva also agrees with that view. Finally Vibhishana joins as an associate in Rama's side.
Rama heard them all and said, "I shall never forsake him who seeks my protection nor turn him away who comes to me as a friend, whether he is good or evil. It is a universal dharma which men of honor worship." Sugriva protested that if Vibhishana could abandon his brother in his direst moment of danger, whom else would he not hesitate to betray? Rama appreciated Sugriva's concern but said, "When I can annihilate pisachas, rakshasas and yakshas with the tip of my finger, how can Vibhishana harm me? One should never slay him who stands with beseeching hands and offer him the shelter he seeks. The learned should grant it even at the cost of his life. If instead it is denied, not only is it an unpardonable taint, but cause for infamy and loss of merit of even past good karmas. I shall never turn away the helpless that come to me and who say I am yours and I need you. They shall be granted unconditional refuge from whatever and whomever they fear. Have you not heard of the eternal fame of the dove rising above his fear and hate not only welcomed the slayer of his mate but also fed him with the flesh of his own body? It is the greatest of dharmas to grant sanctuary to those who seek it. Do not even suspect or try to verify if it is really Vibhishana or someone else in his guise. Even if it is the greatest enemy Ravana himself, my asylum has been promised. Bring him immediately."
In chapter 19, Descending from the sky, Vibhishana seeks refuge at the feet of Rama. On Rama's enquiry, he explains about the strength of Ravana. Rama promises to kill Ravana and anoint Vibhishana. Rama sits on the sea -shore, seeking the help of the ocean god to yield a passage for his army to pass through and reach Lanka.
Relieved at being accepted, Vibhishana fell at Rama's feet and charmed by his gentle manner, Rama welcomed him with great affection. Speaking of the might of the rakshasas and their king, Vibhishana said, "Ravana protected by a boon granted to him by Brahma is invincible to gods, gandharvas and all other creatures. Kumbhakarna, whose might equals that of Indra is our brother. He is younger than Ravana and older than me. Prahastha is chief of armies. Indrajit, son of Ravana, is an indefatigable warrior empowered by magical skills. Rendering himself invisible he slays his enemies. Apart from Mahodara, Mahaparsva and Akampana, ten thousand million more flesh eating demons serve Ravana with whose help he has conquered every ruler of the earth."
Rama promised to kill Ravana and crown Vibhishana king of Lanka. He consecrated him right there with water from the ocean brought by Lakshmana. Vibhishana asked Rama to seek the ocean's help to cross its waters.
In chapter 20, As per the advice of Sardula, Ravana sends Shuka to Sugriva as an ambassador. The monkeys harass him, who came to their place as a spy. But because of Rama's gracefulness, Shuka comes out of danger. Sugriva gives a fitting reply to Ravana's message sent through Shuka. When monkeys again try to bind him and harass him, Rama prevents them from killing him.
Even as Rama sat to propitiate the ocean and the vanaras stood watching, the rakshasa Sardula, a spy of Ravana, saw them. He turned around and sped back to report to his king who decided to send Suka to mediate with Sugriva. "Placate him," said Ravana, "tell him that he and I are related through his father Riksharajasa and that Vali was my good friend. Tell him not to seek my enmity. What does he who is so mighty have to do with a weakling like Rama? I may have carried away his consort Sita, but it is no concern of his. When even devas and gandharvas cannot enter Lanka, how can men and monkeys?
Transforming into a bird hovering above the ocean, Suka conveyed Ravana's message to Sugriva. The infuriated vanaras who heard it flew up to batter the hapless rakshasa who cried out for Rama's mercy. It was granted and Sugriva sent a message to Ravana which said, "Ravana, you are an enemy of Rama and a friend of Vali, so you too are my enemy and you too deserve death. Just because you killed Jatayu, do you deem yourself a hero? You do not know him who is about to kill you?" Saved by Rama from the angry vanaras, Suka quickly and painfully flew back to Ravana.
In chapter 21, The careless ocean does not appear in his personal form to Rama, even when it was requested to do so. Rama becomes angry at the ocean and releases fierce arrows, which cause a terror among the creatures inhabiting the sea.
Rama waited three days and three nights for Samudra and when the lord of the ocean refused to appear, he lost his patience. Blazing with anger, he said to Lakshmana, "Samudra's arrogance makes him impervious to my request. The world seems to deem virtues like compassion, forbearance, guilelessness and grace, the attributes of the noble, as signs of weakness. Men honor only the boastful, the merciless, the cunning and the censorious that cannot discriminate between good and evil. Nothing seems possible with goodness, fame by honor, power by valor or victory in war. Victory demands might, not charm. Is it not my patience that makes Samudra think I am incompetent? My arrows shall now fly and tormented by me, the sea after breaking all bounds will flow all over the world. With its waters all gone, the vanaras can walk into Lanka."
Down through the startled blue waves sped Rama's flaming arrows striking terror among the denizens of the deep. Lakshama trying to stop the havoc held Rama's bow and said, "The virtuous like you do not succumb to anger. Stay Rama, Stay."
This concludes chapters 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 of Yuddha Kanda where we had seen Vibhishana reaching the side of Rama and seeking his refuge. It is after some time that the vanaras along with Rama accepts him. Relieved by the gesture, Vibhishana falls at his feet and explains the strengths of Ravana. He further asks Rama to request ocean god and allow his passage to Lanka. A messenger, Suka comes to Sugriva from Ravana to leave Rama and not seek the enmity of Ravana, for they are related. The surrounding monkeys batter the hapless Suka after listening to this and send him back with a stern message. Around the same time, Rama waits patiently for three days and nights for the Lord of ocean to appear before and grant the passage to Lanka. Infuriated at ignoring him, Rama tries to teach a lesson and release arrows to empty the oceans. This terrorizes the creatures inhabiting the seas and the lord of the ocean himself who appears before him and suggest a way to reach Lanka. This can be seen in subsequent chapters where the famed bridge or the ‘Ram Setu’ is constructed over the ocean waters with the help of Nala and the vanaras.
