Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

Vibhishana
Vibhishana, the brother of Ravana, inquired from Hanuman
whether Rama will accept his homage and take him under His
protecting shade. He said, "I am the brother of His worst enemy,
whom He has vowed to destroy; I am a member of the demonic
race; I am unacquainted with the Vedas or Sastras or the rituals
of the Aryans." SSS Vol.7 p.275/276)
Vibhishana said to Hanuman, “Oh Hanuman, though you met
Rama just a few months ago, you have advanced very high in the
realm of the Spirit. And you are enjoying the sweet proximity of
Rama. But I have been chanting Rama Nama for so many years;
yet, Rama has not showered His Grace on me. I have not had the
darshan of Rama even once
To this Hanuman replied, “Oh Vibhishana, it is not that you
ought to participate in the mission of Rama and serve his cause
to obtain the full benefit of chanting Rama Nama 83 . You must
not only perform penance and do Japa and meditation, but you
must also participate in seva. Service is the very boat of life. It is
not enough if you see a fruit. Your stomach will not be filled
merely by looking at the fruit. You must eat the fruit and digest
it. (SSB 1996 p.79)
Hanuman replied: "Vibhishana! It is true that you are ceaselessly
chanting the name of Rama.
83
You must always keep the company of the good and the godly. It is only
when you remain with good people and perform good actions that your
devotion will remain firm and unshaken. Verbal utterance of mantras or
the ritual reciting of the Lord's name is not enough. (SSS Vol. 24 p.87 )
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