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The
different paths to Dharma (Jun. 5th2001)
The path trodden by one person may not be similar to the other.
But the scale applied to one cannot be applied to the other.
For, the paths differ…
Preordained
to follow Dharma (Jun.6th2001)
Vibishana was entirely different in his pursuit as compared to
his brothers, Ravana and Kumbakarna.
A
rebel in the making (Jun.7th2001)
Vibishana was able to influence the decision of Ravana for once,
and only once.
Wuthering
heights and weathering traits (Jun.8th2001)
It is one thing to reach great heights and another to remain
there.
Reaching
there is not remaining there (Jun.9th2001)
True. It requires a great effort to reach such heights. But it
is also true that retaining that position also needs continuous
effort…
A
minister, true to the word… (Jun.10th2001)
What Vibishana spoke on that day in Ravana's war council was
nothing short of a beautiful SWOT analysis…
A
minister, true to the word…II (Jun.11th2001)
A counsellor is supposed to keep quite a few things in mind. He
should first of all know the nature of the project in hand. He
should know the advantages…
Whom
does an egotist love? (Jun.12th2001)
Egotist loves only one soul in the entire world. It is the one
that is residing in his own body…
The
medium and the message (Jun.13th2001)
What is the use of ears, two or twenty, if you don't listen?
What can the very best of communication media do for you if you
shut yourself off?
Child
contaminated Adult (Jun.14th2001)
Analyse the character of Ravana with the golden rules of TA
(Transactional Analysis) and you can see all the signs of a
loser…
The
expulsion (Jun.15th2001)
Vibishana was not a traitor. He did not have a choice but to
leave Ravana…
In
submission lies my salvation (Jun.16th2001)
He walked towards the massive army of Vanaras.
In
submission lies my salvation II (Jun.17th2001)
If you seek refuge in Him, there is no alternative but to keep
the mind free…
It
is a long, long road indeed (Jun.18th2001)
A pursuer would naturally be faced with difficult situations. It
is up to him to play his cards properly.
How
beautifully the case is presented! (Jun.19th2001)
Vibishana remained calm and unruffled in the midst of chaos.
Surrender
unto His lotus feet (Jun.20th2001)
‘I will not in any circumstance let him down’, said Rama
‘who comes to me seeking my protection’. And the next Sloka
falls as decisive as thunder.
A
devotee here and a traitor there (Jun.21st2001)
Vibishana is regarded as a devotee by some people, whereas
another group brands him as a traitor. What is the truth and
where lies the reason?
A
devotee here and a traitor there II (Jun.22nd2001)
How Vibishana was come to be seen as a traitor in one part of
India while he is respected as a devotee in the other…
Who
is a traitor? (Jun.23rd2001)
“Always remember, since ancient times, it has been known that
the true object of war is peace,” says James Clavevell…
The
poet holds him high (Jun.24th2001)
Neither in Valmiki nor in Kamban we see Vibishana desiring the
throne of Ravana.
Overcome
by feelings (Jun.25th2001)
The next moment Vibishana is overcome by feelings of devotion
and falls at the feet of Sri Rama.
Brothers
seven (Jun.26th2001)
Kamban expands the brotherhood of Sri Rama from four to seven.
Though Valmiki did not do so, it is still he who inspired Kamban…
A
total surrender unto a total God (Jun.27th2001)
There are several contrasts in the ways in which Sugriva and
Vibishana sought refuge unto Him…
A
source of strength in times of need (Jun.28th2001)
Vibishana was the information bank behind Rama and Lakshmana,
offering them all support and assistance whenever needed…
When
the unexpected happens… (Jun.29th2001)
Vibishana faced the most delicate and difficult of situations
when Lakshmana fought Indrajit.
A
faggot burning on both sides (Jun.30th2001)
Vibishana was engulfed by self-pity and guilt feelings when
Lakshmana was bound by the serpent noose by Indrajit….
Was
it a lapse?(July 01st2001)
It was not usual for Rama to hold someone responsible for a
lapse, serious or not. His mind would always look for the reason
behind that action…
Tears
of love (July 02nd2001)
Rama stands here like any other human being, flesh and blood,
throbbing with uncontrolled emotions, anger and anguish…
A
friend indeed (July 03rd2001)
A devastation in the making and Vibishana rises to the occasion
...
The
cloud passes (July 04th2001)
At such difficult times, there is only one course left for
people who are sincere and honest.
A
friend in deed is a friend indeed… (July 05th2001)
There was not a single one in the entire army 70 vahinis strong,
left conscious to bring them to life. It was left to Vibishana
to do it.
A
stoic to the core (July 06th2001)
Vibishana shows an amazing kind of calm in the face of storm and
sets a splendid example of situation handling…
Art
of situation handling (July 07th2001)
Think of a possible parallel in our times. May be one of us
happen to play the role of Vibishana, in say a rail accident.
Remaining all alone…
Information
- the staff of life (July 08th2001)
As we observed earlier, if Sugriva provided muscle power to the
Lord, Vibishana was the MIS. He gave vital information and did
not stop with that…
The
crucial point (July
09th2001)
Spoiling the yaga at Nikumbhila was the key to success, because
that was one of the preconditions that Brahma had specified…
Patriotism
or Parochialism? (July 10th2001)
For Indrajit the king represented the nation and therefore he
was upholding the cause of his kinsmen and that of his
country…
The
moot point (July 11th2001)
‘This island will remain after Ravana. But who will be left
here to live with you or to be ruled over by you?’ Indrajit
asked Vibishana.
An
avalanche indeed (July 12th2001)
‘Would you lament the death of your brother or would you
rejoice in the victory of Rama?’ Indrajit continued his
taunting and tormenting questions…
The
difficult choice (July 13th2001)
Vibishana opens his mind out on his position, why he had to
leave Ravana and why he joined Rama…
The
critical questions (July 14th2001)
Three of the most critical questions against Vibishana
answered…
The
last encounter (July 15th2001)
‘If you do not kill this most valiant young warrior
immediately and now, you will never be able to do so forever,’
Vibishana told Lakshmana.
Of
bows and arrows (July 16th2001)
We take the descriptions of weapons in our epics lightly. Indika,
a book written on Alexander’s invasion of India gives a clear
description of these weapons…
The
killing of Indrajit (July 17th2001)
Here we see Lakshmana admiring breathlessly, the skill in
archery and courage displayed by Indrajit, the very foe that he
is engaged in a battle with…
Rama’s
praise of Vibishana (July 18th2001)
That is a lesson for all persons who lead a team. Censure when
you have to. But remember to soften the effect at the right
time…
The
unexpected turn (July 19th2001)
When the ogre army marched in, all Vanaras fled. There were only
three Vanaras who stood by Rama and Lakshmana - and of course
Vibishana…
The
most reliable source of strength (July 20th2001)
Rama’s judgement pointed only to Vibishana whose wisdom alone
could support their valour, in case of an emergency.
Not
wilder than a cow (July 21st2001)
That was the only occasion when Vibishana lost his patience and
resorted to the use of his weapons, participating in the war
directly…
A
coward, was he? (July 22nd2001)
Rama saw two wounds on the back of Ravana. Now, it was far far
below the dignity of any warrior to bear a wound on his back…
My
Lord, you are less than fair (July 23rd2001)
We see the love and respect that Vibishana had for Ravana as a
warrior. He is not able to bear his brother being called a
coward.
To
do or not to do, that is the crucial question…
(July 24th2001)
Valmiki shows Vibishana quite undecided about what to do. He,
for a moment thinks that it is his duty to perform the last
rites…
Judge
him through his own clan (July 25th2001)
The most proper way to judge Vibishana would be through the eyes
of Kumbakarna. What he felt and said about Vibishana…
A
noble soul (July 26th2001)
The concluding part of the character study of Vibishana…
In the following pages we present a study of various major and minor characters of the Ramayana as told by Valmiki and Kamban. This study attempts to go into the character sketch, analyse the different ways in which the two poets have constructed their drama with liberal direct quotations and interpretations. These pages are sure to delight the heart of the devotee as well as the litterateur. Click on a link below to access all the articles under each character. Happy reading!
Ramayana – a character study
By
Hari Krishnan
Epics Generalia
The epics and their
relevance - (Feb. 23rd 2001)
You must read the story as a human story, lived among human beings, by a human being, and, then, Oh, what rich treasures there are of wisdom in it!
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