Ravana, the mighty son of Vishravas and a descendant of the revered sage Pulastya, attentively absorbed the bold and wise discourse of Hanuman. The precision and depth in Hanuman’s words held Ravana’s full attention, surprising even the seasoned ministers of his court.
Though Ravana was immensely gifted and blessed, Hanuman subtly conveyed that his immoral pursuits were his own undoing—drawing him away from the path of eternal peace. For a fleeting moment, the demon king was swayed by the power of Hanuman’s message, but the pride of his might quickly restored his composure. With thunder in his voice and regal authority, Ravana declared, “This monkey shall pay with his life.”
However, Vibhishana—the noble and virtuous brother of Ravana—was deeply troubled by this decree. It ran contrary to the sacred code of conduct that even demons were bound by. He reflected briefly, then resolved to oppose the judgment that bore no legitimacy in the realm of dharma. With measured wisdom, he sought to steer the king’s wrath toward righteousness.
“O King of Lanka,” Vibhishana began, “forgive my boldness. Cast aside anger, and heed my words. No king, however great, ever slays an envoy. To do so is not only against the principles of dharma but also against your own legacy of virtue. You are famed across realms for your deep understanding of duties and the intricate truths of life. You, who have attained unparalleled knowledge through ages of penance—do not allow this single act to tarnish your hard-earned virtue.”
He continued, “Yes, this monkey has committed grave offenses. But death is not the prescribed punishment for an envoy, no matter how aggressive. Our own laws—and those upheld across worlds—dictate alternative punishments: amputation, flogging, whipping, head-shaving, or marking the body. Nowhere in the codes of conduct is execution sanctioned for an emissary.”
Despite Vibhishana’s calm appeal, Ravana bristled with fury. “When a sinner dies,” he thundered, “no sin falls upon the one who delivers justice. This monkey’s transgressions deserve death!”
Yet Vibhishana held his ground, countering with composed clarity. “O King, I beseech you again. Do not allow wrath to cloud your judgment. I speak not only for myself but echo the wisdom of sages, kings, and scholars. Your authority is supreme, but your greatness lies in tempering power with virtue.”
He further implored, “This envoy did not act of his own accord. He crossed the ocean on another’s command. If he dies here, the true aggressors will remain unknown, and your enemies may never reveal themselves. Let him live—for war is your domain, and without his return, the princes who challenge you might may never come forth. You are the pride of the demon clans, unmatched in valour and insight. Do not squander this grand opportunity.”
With stirring conviction, Vibhishana urged Ravana to consider the strength of Lanka’s army—more than a crore of trained, loyal warriors, whose skills in archery once shook the heavens. Their honour too would be upheld by a punishment befitting the code, not one born of blind rage.
“Deploy a portion of your army to confront the proud princes,” he advised. “Prove you might not by killing a messenger, but by defeating the champions who sent him. Let this be the warning that echoes across kingdoms.”
Ravana, moved by the profound wisdom of his brother, began to reconsider. Vibhishana’s calm yet compelling words shifted the course of thought in the court. It was not merely a plea—it was a strategic, moral, and diplomatic masterpiece that laid the groundwork for what was to come.
Through gentle defiance and dharmic clarity, Vibhishana opened the gates for the righteous warriors, Rama and Lakshmana, and their allies. He aimed to protect Lanka’s true wealth—its virtue, its people, its legacy—while eliminating those who sought only destruction.
In doing so, Vibhishana reminded his brother that the fruits of penance and divine austerity must not be spent in a moment of wrath. He subtly but firmly challenged Ravana’s judgment, inviting reflection over vengeance, principle over pride.
In the annals of ancient or modern times, such nuanced and noble manoeuvring stands as a testament to the enduring truth: in the battle between wrath and wisdom, it is virtue that ultimately prevails.
