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Sage counsel

CHENNAI : It is most unfortunate that good advice goes unheeded. This is because the recipient is either headstrong and hence is unable to view the advice dispassionately and would rather be misguided. Invariably such advice comes from those genuinely interested in the beneficiary's welfare.

It was precisely this situation that Vibhishana faced when he advised Ravana with words of prudence that contain the essence of truth and the code of ethics relevant for all times, said Kalyanapuram Sri Aravamudachariar in a discourse.

In the assembly that met to discuss military strategies after Hanuman had caused havoc in Lanka, Vibhishana's lone plea for truce failed to have any effect. He did not mince words to drive home his unbiased stance, since he could easily foresee that Lanka was heading to be doomed. Though a demon he was endowed with righteous nature and intuitively understood that Lord Rama was none other than the Almighty. There arose a deadlock in the arguments since both sides were dogmatic in their views. While Vibhishana cautioned Ravana's ministers not to underestimate the enemy's strength, Ravana's son Indrajit and others criticised Vibhishana's lack of confidence in Ravana's strength.

Vibhishana could see that Indrajit's rash nature and immaturity of mind made him belittle the power of Lord Rama's arrows that spelt sure destruction for Lanka. In fact, those who boosted Ravana's self-confidence and ego at this point were all enemies of Ravana in the guise of kinsmen. He entreated Ravana to ensure the safety of the demons by sending Sita to Lord Rama. Though repeatedly ignored and dismissed, he persisted in his attempt to convince Ravana to opt for the path of righteousness.

When an infuriated Ravana threw angry and harsh words at him, the noble Vibhishana took the momentous decision to leave his brother and join the company of Lord Rama. His conduct had always been deferential to his elder brother whom he regarded as father. Yet he could now see the play of fate that made Ravana blind to the truth. True to the dictum that one loses balance and control when one is doomed towards destruction, it was a futile attempt to reform Ravana at this stage, when his life was due to end.

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