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Continued from yesterday's instalment
 The reader will recall the events that followed. Indrajit needed some time to complete his Yaga in Nikumbhila. He therefore killed an illusory living effigy of Sita in the presence of Hanuman. (This was discussed already in ‘When the very purpose of the war is nullified…’) He then announced that he was going to Ayodhya to kill all the citizens there including Bharata. That caused a lot of alarm and confusion in the minds of Rama, Lakshmana and the Vanara chiefs and they were discussing ways of reaching
Ayodhya.
It was once again Vibishana who saw through the design and reasoned that killing of Sita was not that easy since Ravana himself would not allow that. He soon brought the news of safety of Sita, assuming the form of a bee. That was a very great service that he rendered for it relieved Rama of the distress that he was going through. Another important news that he brought was that Indrajit had gone to Nikumbhila to perform. Listen to his words infusing confidence in none other than Sri Rama himself and pulling him out of his grief.
“Surely this conjuring trick (in the shape of killing an illusory living effigy of Sita) was employed by him in order to put us off the scent, anticipating (as he did) interruption (in his sacrificial performance) at the hands of the monkeys in the event of their prowess remaining unchecked (on the battlefield). We shall (therefore) proceed to that place with an army while the sacrificial performance is not (yet) ended.
Shake off, O tiger among men, this agony which has come upon you without any real cause. Seeing you stricken with grief, the entire army is feeling distressed. Very elevated as you are in courage, stay you here, confident at heart, and dispatch Lakshmana with us, who are taking the army along with us.” (Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda, Canto 84, Sloka 14-18)
Diffusing the reason that baffled and agonised Sri Rama’s mind, brining his mind back to its original state, boosting his confidence, and bringing the most vital of information. Vibishana has played an unparalleled role here. The information that Indrajit was already in the act of performing a yaga in Nikumbhila was a vital piece of information. If completed, that would bestow immense benefits on Indrajit and make him invincible. Vibishana says. “…loss of time in compassing the death of the enemy (Indrajit) is no longer desirable (in any way) send Lakshmana for making short work of the
enemy…On concluding the ritual, that prince of ogres will turn invisible in the battlefield to gods and demons (alike). There will be greater danger even to gods (in fighting with him) when he has concluded the ritual and feels inclined to fight.” (Ibid, Sloka 21-23)
 As we observed earlier, if Sugriva provided muscle power to the Lord, Vibishana was the MIS. He gave vital information at the right time - many a time - and did not stop with that. He has almost always been giving the right counsel. It was due to his efforts that information on Nikumbhila yaga was known and that doesn’t stop with that. We are going to see the vital role that he played in the third and concluding battle between Lakshmana and Indrajit.
Remember. It was none other than his brother’s son - and as per our traditions a brothers son is considered to be equivalent to one’s own son - that he was guiding Lakshmana against. Indrajit even chided him when the ritual was interrupted and the ensuing exchange of hot words between him and Vibishana gives out the reason behind the latter’s joining Sri
Rama.
More follows…
Hari Krishnan
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