Vibhishana, the chiranjeevi.

6/28/08

One of the meanings given for the name Vibhishana is "one who is devoid of any dreadfulness". ("Bheeshana" means dreadful and "vi" is used to negate the meaning). Unlike his siblings, Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Shurpanakha, he was born with a soft and saintly mind. May be that was the reason he was named Vibhishana by his parents.

 

He was always very different from the rest of the raakshasaas like Prahlaada and Mahabali were different  from other Asuraas. All the three brothers, Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana did severe Tapaas to please Brahma. Brahma appeared and Ravana asked for the boon of never getting killed by any of the Gods, Godesses, devaas, asuraas, gandarvaas, yakshaas etc.. The only group he did not mention was humans. We all know that he was finally killed by Rama who took avataar as a human.

 

Kumbhakarna wanted to ask for "Nirdevathvam" (state of absence of devaas or Gods), but as per Deva''s request Saraswathi Devi went and twisted Kumbhakarna's tongue and he said "Nidraatvam" or "nidra-tatvam" ( state of sleep or knowledge of sleep). So his fate was to sleep all the time. Then he asked for shaapamoksham and it was changed to 6 months sleep and he will wake up for one day and again another 6 months sleep.

 

What did Vibhishana ask? He asked Brahma: 

"Lord, give me the boon to never commit an adhaarmic or sinful action, even in the most unfriendly circumstances. Bless me to have my mind fixed at the lotus feet of the Lord. Please give me the strength by which I will always be at the feet of the Lord".

 Brahma said: 

"Though you were born as Raakshasa, you are virtuous. I bless you with all the boons you have asked. Besides that, you will attain divinity and become a chiranjeevi "(on who lives for a long time).

 

It is interesting to note what Hanumanji told Vibhishana when he expressed his doubt of whether he would be accepted by Rama as a friend because of his demonic birth and ill fate to become Ravana's brother. Hanumanji held Vibhishana's hands and asked :

"Oh! You  do not know him,Sir. Do you think Lord Rama cares for one's social status, family background or scholarship? If so, how could He accept me, a mere monkey as his servant?" 

Vibhishana's fears and doubts were completely melted into paramabhakthi. Bhakthi has no place for fear or doubt. It only knows love and assurance.