66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

me very strange indeed. We cannot admit him in our camp.
After all, you are on a mission to wipe out the asura class;
and in spite of all his noble speech, this person is really an
asura.”
Then Jambavan came forward to say, “We take a risk
when we admit anyone from an enemy’s camp; and it will be
too late when you discover the fact. Asuras are well known
for their trickeries and disguises. Remember that what
appeared to be a golden deer turned out to be Mareecha.”
Rama lent a patient hearing to everyone and asked his
commander-in-chief to speak. He said, “I have some
knowledge of what the books have to say regarding agents,
spies, and refugees. Only those who have suffered treachery
in the hands of the enemy, or an enemy’s soldier who turns
his back, unable to fight any more, or an enemy’s neighbour
who has lost his home and family—when these come, even if
they happen to be the kinsmen of your worst enemy, you can
admit them and accept their friendship. If we consider
Vibishana’s case and analyse the time of his arrival and the
circumstances, nothing was done to drive him hither. How
can we trust his mere profession of virtue and goodness?
We cannot fit him into any of the categories of refugees
defined in our shastras.” Many others spoke, and
unanimously declared that Vibishana should be rejected.
Rama looked at Hanuman and said, “You have not said
anything. What do you think?”