“What did Vibhishana bring with him in the meeting, and what harm had Vali done? Tulsi says that all protections come from surrender to Shri Rama.” (Dohavali, 159)

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कहा बिभीषन लै मिल्यो कहा बिगार्यो बालि
तुलसी प्रभु सरनागतहि सब दिन आए पालि

kahā bibhīṣana lai milyo kahā bigāryo bāli
tulasī prabhu saranāgatahi saba dina āe pāli

For the purposes of analysis, we take the hypothetical situation of employees in a company speaking amongst each other about the proprietor. This is the boss. The head honcho. The leader single-handedly started the business many years prior. From scratch. Just an idea on a piece of paper. They turned that idea into a multi-billion dollar corporation, with offices around the world, and employees on every continent.

This is a big day, as the boss is set to make a site-visit. Even those employees specifically designated as virtual or remote have been strongly urged to reserve a desk. Attendance is high in the main office, and the leader dutifully makes their rounds. They greet every employee, engage in small talk, and then move on.

A few of the employees notice that the entourage is different. There is a new person accompanying the leader. They are not sure what is going on. Another employee offers their thoughts:

“Oh, that is their new assistant. This person brings in a ton of money every year. They close so many important deals. The boss took notice. They promoted that person to the highest levels. The two are practically inseparable now.”

The strange thing is that there used to be someone else in that place. The leader was known to travel with a different assistant. That person had been there a long time, but they are no longer around. The same employee fills in the details:

“Oh yeah, that guy is no longer here. He really made the boss mad. He messed up some big deal, I think. He singlehandedly cost the company millions of dollars. Our stock price tanked as a result. The boss had to get rid of him. There was no other option.”

There is a reason that Goswami Tulsidas chooses to highlight the interactions of Shri Rama with two people in particular. Vali, the king of the Vanaras in Kishkindha, and Vibhishana, who was part of the ruling class in the Rakshasa community in Lanka. Shri Rama is the equivalent to the boss, as He is referred to as Prabhu. This Sanskrit word is synonymous with “Lord” or “God” or “master.”

Tulsidas asks two rhetorical questions. The first relates to Vibhishana. Just what did that Rakshasa offer to Rama? There was a famous meeting, wherein Vibhishana revealed that he had left Lanka behind. Things were not working out there. Vibhishana’s brother, Ravana, was on the wrong path. It was like he was inviting his own destruction, as predicted by Sita Devi, who is Rama’s wife.

यदा विनाशो भूतानां दृश्यते कालचोदितः
तदा कार्ये प्रमाद्यन्ति नराः कालवशं गताः

yadā vināśo bhūtānāṃ dṛśyate kālacoditaḥ
tadā kārye pramādyanti narāḥ kālavaśaṃ gatāḥ

“When the time for the destruction of living entities arrives, people are seen to perform activities that endanger themselves due to the influence of that all-devouring time.” (Sita Devi speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 56.16)

Vibhishana took a huge risk in approaching Rama. It was like attempting to join the camp of the rival. Why would he be trusted? Why should anyone extend him the benefit of the doubt? More importantly, just what could Rama gain from accepting Vibhishana? It is not like there was money involved or favors to be exchanged.

On the other side, we have the case of Vali. He didn’t even interact with Rama. Vali was in Kishkindha, safely living as the leader, enjoying everything knowing that there was no rival to overthrow him. Vali drove out his own brother, Sugriva, after the two had a disagreement. It was a savage move, but something kept within the family. Rama had nothing to do with any of their struggles.

Vibhishana had nothing to offer, but he was accepted. Vali had not offended Rama, but he was destroyed. This is due to full surrender, which can be described by the word sharanagati. It is surrendering everything at the lotus feet of the husband of Sita.

Sharanagati is becoming completely vulnerable. There are no other options for hope, for safety, for gain, or for salvation. Everything gets placed on Rama. He accepts the burden. It does not matter what someone can bring to Him, precisely because He is atmarama. The Supreme Lord does not require the service of anyone.

Sugriva was a surrendered soul, and so Rama intervened. Rama shot Vali in the back, though Vali was not directly an enemy. Rama assumed whatever burden would result from that supposedly sinful act. Sugriva would not be blamed. Vibhishana also had his reactions washed away. There would be no punishment from having turned his back on Ravana, who was family. This was all due to the grace of Rama.

In Closing:

Rama accepting the blame,
For Sugriva no shame.

That brother shot in the back,
In most underhanded attack.

And Vibhishana despite turning,
Shelter of Supreme Lord earning.

The wise note of this take,
That sharanagati the difference to make.

Categories: dohavali 121-160

Tags: god, hare krishna, poem, poems, poetry, tulsidas, vali, vibhishana