Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

211
Vibhishana
Man can accomplish anything if he surrenders to God. When he submits
himself to the will of the Divine, there is no task he cannot accomplish.
Kuchela, a boyhood friend of Krishna, approached Krishna for help on the
basis of his old friendship. How did Krishna help him The Bhagavatha bears
testimony to what Krishna did for Kuchela. The Ramayana tells the story of
what Rama did for Sugriva after the latter became a friend of Rama and
sought His help. Sugriva was able to regain his kingdom. What did
Vibhishana get after his constant remembrance of Rama and the ordeals he
experienced in Lanka Relieving him of his troubles, Rama crowned
Vibhishana the ruler of Lanka. (SSS Vol. 31 p.60)
But Vibhishana saw that He was the Lord in human form and he ran straight
to him for protection and surrendered unconditionally at his feet. So he was
accepted without the faintest demur by the Lord, even though those around
Him expressed apprehensions. (SSS Vol.6 Second Edition p.62)
Vibhishana is another example of full surrender. Ravana had a gang of
courtiers and ministers who catered to his whims and flattered his vanity; and
while each of them advised him to challenge Rama in open war and keep Sita
for himself, Vibhishana, his own brother, chastised him for his wilfulness and
lust and urged him to save himself, his kingdom and his kith and kin by
restoring Sita unharmed to her Lord. When Vibhishana went over to Rama,
Rama knew that he had a pure heart that could not survive in the poisonous
atmosphere of Lanka. So He took him and saved him. The Lord likes to be
called Aartha-thraana-paraayana (protection of, and devoted to, the
distressed and oppressed) more than any other name, for He is most happy
when He rescues those in agony. (SSS Vol.6 Second Edition p.128-129)
The real coronation is that of Vibhishana, performed under the auspices of
Rama, a status won through surrender and sacrifice. . (SSS Vol.5 p.300)
Vibhishana waited and waited for the hour of God. At last, that hour arrived,
and he was crowned by God Himself. (SSB 1996 p.85)
Rama told others that no matter who Vibhishana was and what his motives
were, since he was coming to surrender, it was His duty to protect him. Once
you decide and say that you belong to the Lord, then, it follows that Lord is