Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

219
Vibhishana
doctor. Obey him, even when his prescription is unpalatable, for, you can be
cured only by him. (SSS Vol. 6 Second Edition p. 52/53)
Develop a pure unsullied mind to get peace
Vibhishana was capable of that surrender and so he was accepted and assured
quickly. It took Sugriva much longer to reach that stage, for he had some
personal aims to realise, through Rama and his faith in him was clogged by
doubts. Has he the skill he professes to possess Can he kill such a formidable
adversary as Vali He surrendered to Rama only when his doubts were
cleared. (SSS Vol. 6 Second Edition p.56)
Sadhakas have to be careful about food consumed
Ravana and Vibhishana, two brothers born of the same parents, had
diametrically opposite natures because of the food they grew upon. Ravana
relished Rajasic food while Vibhishana stuck to Satwic. What exactly is
Satwic food Food that confers Ananda to the body, mind and heart is Satwic,
that which sustains holy living; that which keeps one light, even at the end of
the meal. The Satwic are satisfied with one meal a day. Rajasic nature
demands continuous feeding on hot stuff tasting sour, salty or pungent.
Tamasic appreciate cold, stale, acrid tastes. The grosser parts of the food
consumed are eliminated. The less gross parts build up muscles and bones.
The subtle parts make up the nerves and the mind. Therefore, Sadhakas have
to be extra careful about the quality of food they consume.
Fellow-feeling is difficult when the same quality of food is not preferred.
When both live on Rajasic food, though they may have the same nature,
friendship cannot last. Envy and hatred will soon break the bond. The Satwic
nature will free man from these evils and purify his mind, preparing him for
the journey to God. For, God is Satwa (pure). (SSS Vol.16 p.106/107)
LOVE FOR THE DIVINE TRANSCENDS ALL KIN
How the love of the Divine manifests itself in a devotee is illustrated by the
example of Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana. Vibhishana submitted
himself to many indignities at the hands of Ravana out of the love he had for
Rama. In the battle against the Rakshasas in Lanka, Rama and Lakshmana
destroyed many of the great Rakshasa warriors on the first two days. On the