Boons for the brothers

Nikasha remained in the ashrama of her husband living a life like humans. One day Ravana was sitting on the lap of his mother, when Kubera came to see his father. Pointing to him, Nikasha said This is your step brother, the lord of wealth. He lives in Lanka which was ours. If you can win him and get Lanka, I will be happy.
Ravana said he would grab Lanka back. For that, he said, he needed to perform penance, please the Gods and get boons.
Along with his brothers, Ravana went and started praying. They chose the forest of Gokarna to pray. Kumbhakarna prayed standing upside down.In the summers, they stood near fire and prayed. In winters, they stood in cold waters and prayed. They forgot sleep and hunger. Soon their hair became matted and they were reduced to skin and bones. For five thousand years they prayed. The Gods were afraid. What did the rakshasas need? They went to Brahma and asked him to do something.
Brahma went to the brothers and asked them to ask for a boon. Ravana said he wanted to be immortal. Brahma said that would not be possible. Ravana said then he did not want anything else. Brahma went away and Ravana resumed his worship. Ravana then started cutting off and sacrificing his heads one by one. After nine heads were cut off, Ravana was about to cut off the last head with his sword when Brahma appeared before him and asked him to stop. Ravana asked for immortality which Brahma refused. Ravana then said if immortality was not possible, then he should be victorious when he fought Gods, Asuras, Yakshas. Brahma said So be it. Brahma said there were the humans and the vanaras left. Ravana said he did not fear them. Ravana then asked for his cut heads to be restored. Brahma said If your heads are cut off, you will not die.
Brahma then went to Vibhishana who asked that he should not sway from the path of truth. Brahma blessed Vibhishana with immortality.
Brahma then went to Kumbhakarna. The Gods were afraid seeing this. Kumbhakarna was ferocious even without any boons. What he asked for something. They asked Saraswati to intervene. They asked her to sit on Kumbhakarna's tongue. When Brahma asked him what he wanted, he was to say he wanted to sleep. The goddess entered his throat. When Brahma asked him what he wanted, he said he wanted to sleep for ever. Brahma said So be it. Saraswati left.
When Ravana heard this he appealed to Brahma to do something. Brahma said You brother will sleep for six months, wake for a day, then go back to sleep.. He will have immense strength and appetite. If he is woken untimely, he will meet his end. Brahma left and Ravana and Vibhishana then carried Kumbhakarna back home, on their shoulders.

Vibhishana crowned

With the war over, Matali took leave of Rama. Rama thanked Indra and Matali for their help.
Rama then approached Sugriva and hugged him. He thanked Sugriva for all the support given, that resulted in the death of Ravana.

Rama then decided it was time to crown Vibhishana as the king of Lanka.

All items necessary for the coronation were arranged for. The vanaras and rakshasas all together worked to gather gems and jewels. Bards began singing.

Seeing the right moment, Rama declared Vibhishana the king. Lakshmana poured water on Vibhishana's head. Many instruments began playing.

Rama placed the crown on the head of Vibhishana and handed him the royal scepter. He asked him to take care of Mandodari. 

Vibhishana's grief

Gods were celebrating the fall of Ravana. The vanaras rushed to see the great Ravana from close. Sugriva and Vibhishana came to see Ravana. Rama was sad to see the great warrior lying in the dust.
Vibhishana hugged the body of Ravana. With tears in his eyes, he said - Your pride has been the cause of your fall. You did not recognize who Rama was. You got Sita forcibly into Lanka. I asked you to return Sita, but you did not listen. You died and the world will curse me.

Turning to Rama, Vibhishana said - Rama, you please help me. Ravana worshiped Shiva all through his life. When he was dying, Shiva did not look towards him.

Rama said Do not grieve. Ravana is at peace now. Killed by my arrow, Ravana is in heaven.

Mahiravana captures Rama and Lakshmana

The night was half over. Vibhishana came to Hanumana. He said Do not let anyone enter the enclosure. Even if your father, the Wind God comes, he should not be allowed in either.

Mahiravana decided to go and capture Rama and Lakshmana. He went single handed. He saw Vibhishana outside the fort and was not sure how to go inside and capture Rama and Lakshmana.

He took the form of Dashratha and appeared before Hanumana. He said My sons are inside your enclosre. Please let me see them.
Hanumana said Please wait. Vibhishana will be coming soon. Let us do what he says.
Vibhishana came there and Mahiravana fled.
Hanumana said Dashratha had come to see his sons.
Vibhishana said No one should be allowed inside.

Mahiravana then took the form of Bharata and came to Hanumana. He said he wanted to see his brothers. Hanumana asked him to wait till Vibhishana came there.
Mahiravana left that place.

Hanumana told Vibhishana. Vibhishana said Do not allow any one. Saying he went on his rounds.

Mahiravana then took the form of Kaushlaya and said she wanted to see her sons. Hanumana told her to wait and Mahiravana vanished.

Mahiravana then took the form of Janaka and said he wanted to see his son in law. When Hanumana told him to wait, he too vanished.

Mahiravana then took the form of Vibhishana and came there. Hanumana said You just left a moment ago. Why did you come back so soon. Mahiravana, as Vibhishana, said I have come to warn you of the magic of Mahiravana. I have two talismans with me. Let me tie that on Rama and Lakshmana. They will be safe then.
Thinking it to be Vibhishana, Hanumana let him in.

Mahiravana first put all to sleep. Mahiravana picked up Rama and Lakshmana. Digging a tunnel, he took into his city. There, he put them in a room. Rama and Lakshmana were still asleep.
Mahiravana stayed back in his city.

Soon Vibhishana came on his rounds. Hanumana said You went inside to tie talismans on Rama and Lakshmana. When did you come out?

Vibhishana argues and convinced Hanumana that he was Vibhishana and no one else. Vibhishana said Then let us see if Rama and Lakshmana were safe.

Hanumana let Vibhishana inside and he himself peeped in. Rama and Lakshmana were missing. Everyone else was asleep. There was a tunnel in the ground.

All were shocked and did not know what to do.

Jambuvana then said Let Hanumana go and look for Rama and Lakshmana. he alone can perform this task.

Rama's grief

Rama fainted when he heard about the killing of Sita. The vanaras got water and started sprinkling that on Rama, trying to revive him. Lakshmana tried to console Rama. Rama, coming to his senses was in grief. He started cursing himself saying why did he have to go running after Maricha in the form of the deer. Nothing would have happened, if he had not chased the deer.

Vibhishana asked Rama to control himself. He wanted to know who had seen Sita being killed. Rama said Hanumana had seen that.

Vibhishana said something was not correct. Sita was someone whom Ravana refused to return. Ravana was willing to put Lanka at stake rather than return Sita. Indrajit did not have the courage to go near Sita. Vibhishana said it was best if Hanumana went and saw Sita in the Ashoka garden.

Hanumana went and saw Sita sitting in the garden. Hanumana came and told Rama that Sita was well and alive and that the Sita that had been killed was an illusion.

Rama then asked Vibhishana, what was the way to put an end to Indrajit. 

Vibhishana tells Rama about Tarani

The moment Tarani fell, Vibhishana fell on the ground and started crying. Rama raised him and asked him the reason for his grief.

Vibhishana said You just killed Taranisen, my son.

Rama said If you had told me earlier, I would not have fought.

All were grief stricken with tears in their eyes.

Rama said to Vibhishana - Your heart is made of stone. You killed your son yourself.

Vibhishana said I am crying not because I have lost my son, but I am amazed by his devotion and strength. My son, dying in your hands, has attained heaven. All those who died in your hands are in heaven. If I could give up my body, I would do so. Brahma gave me a boon to be immortal.

Ravana got the news of Tarani's death. He was shocked.
Sarama was in grief.

Ravana then started thinking, who was to be sent next. 

Vibhishana meets Rama

Vibhishana bowed down and took the blessings of Shiva, Kubera and Parvati. Along with his four friends, they started for the place where Rama was.

On the banks of the ocean, the vanaras saw Vibhishana approaching along with his friends. Thinking this was Ravana coming, they armed themselves with rocks.
Vibhishana shouted saying he was Vibhishana and he was coming to serve Rama. The vanaras went and told this to Sugriva. Sugriva and Jambuvan started discussing what they needed to do. Afterall the rakshasas were known for assuming various shapes. Hanumana said Vibhishana had appealed to Ravana to spare his life, when he was in Lanka. If Vibhishana becomes a friend of Rama, that will be of great help.

Rama hearing this said he would welcome anyone who came to him, with open heart. Rama said he would tell Sugriva about Shibi.
Shibi was great king. There was a kite once chasing a dove. The dove fell in the lap of the king and asked for shelter, which the king granted. The kite came demanded the dove, as it was his meal. The king said the dove had taken his shelter, and it was it his duty to protect the bird.
The kite said If you want to protect the bird, give me part of your flesh, equal to the weight of the dove. The king agreed.
With a sharp knife, the king cut off parts of flesh from his body which the kite ate. The king was covered with blood. The king thus attained heaven for this deed of his.

Rama said, Forget Vibhishana. Even if Ravana comes and asks for shelter, I will not turn him back.

Hearing this, Sugriva jumped up and greeted Vibhishana and then took him where Rama was. Vibhishana fell at Rama's feet and introduced himself. Rama asked Vibhishana if he had been sent by Ravana. Vibhishana said if that was the case then let him become of brahman of Kali Yuga with a thousand sons.

Lakshmana laughed and said a rakshasha was asking to become a brahman and asking for a boon of thousand sons. Rama said a brahman of Kali was different. This brahman is a sinner. He has greed, passion and anger inside him and is always sinning. His sons would be greater sinners and he would never attain peace.

Rama said he would declare Vibhishana the king of lanka, after Ravana.

Sugriva then wanted to know if Vibhishana knew of a way in which the vanara army could cross over to Lanka.

Vibhishana said to Rama, the ocean was formed by your ancestors. Pray to the ocean and undergo fasting. The ocean will appear before you and tell you the way.

Rama fasted for three days but the ocean did not appear. Rama then said to Lakshmana The ocean was very proud and was not appearing before him. He would soak up the entire ocean with the fire arrow,

Ramam took the arrow and fitted it on his bow and released it. Such was the effect that the ocean started gradually drying and the fishes started dying. The arrow went inside the ocean. Sagara was scared to see the arrow.

Sagara came and fell at Rama's feet. He said Why do you perform a task like this? Your ancestors created the ocean and you are bent on destroying it. What have I done to deserve this?

Rama said For three days I was fasting, and you did not appear before me. I need to cross the ocean and rescue Sita. I need a way to cross.

Sagara said he would not be able to part ways for Rama. He knew an alternate way. The vanara Nala had the power to float stones and rocks. If he flung anything in water, that thing would float.

Saying this Sagara went back.

Vibhishana goes to Kailasha

Vibhishana told his friends I want to go and serve Rama but I am not sure if Rama will accept me. If Rama does not accept me, I will live in a forest and meditate on the name of Rama. My mind is restless. I am planning to visit my eldest brother, Kubera, who stays in Kailsaha and who is friend of Shiva.
The friends agreed, and using the path of the sky, Vibhishana and his friends reached Kailasha.

Shiva saw this and said to Parvati. See there, Vibhishana is coming to meet his brother. He had tried to talk sense to Ravana but was insulted. If Kubera is not able to convince him to go to Rama, then I will need to do that. I am planning to go to Kubera. It was necessary that Vibhishana goes to Rama. Then Ravana would die.
Shiva said to Nandi to get his bullock ready. With Parvati in front, Shiva climbed up on the bullock and started for Kubera's abode.

Kubera saw Shiva approaching. He came to greet Shiva and Parvati. Shiva and Kubera greeted each other. Shiva was made to sit in Kubera's palace and Parvati and the followers of Shiva were also given places to sit.  Shiva and Kubera started talking when Vibhishana came there with his four friends.

Shiva, seeing Vibhishana coming, said to Kubera - Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana, is coming to you. He had asked Ravana to return Sita, which Ravana refused. Ravana also insulted him, which is why he has left Lanka. He wants to serve Rama but has a few doubts. Send him to Rama. His going to Rama will help Rama win over Ravana.

Vibhishana saw Shiva along with Kubera. He was delighted. Shiva was someone whom the Gods wanted to see but were unable to, and here he was, in front of Vibhishana. Vibhishana came and fell at the feet of Shiva and Kubera. Shiva blessed him and Kubera hugged him. Vibhishana then told them about his conversation with Ravana and his leaving Lanka.

Kubera asked Vibhishana to proceed where Rama and Sugriva were and asked him to serve them.
Vibhishana was quiet. Shiva then said - What are you thinking? Do as your your elder brother tells you.

Vibhishana said he had also left Lanka, leaving his family behind to go to Rama but he had some doubts. He said - If I go to Rama now, people will say I have left Ravana as his bad days have come. If Rama later makes me the king of Lanka, people will say I wanted to become king which is why I went to Rama.

Shiva said Go to Rama as we tell you. Rama is none other than Narayana. Rama is born on earth to take care of his devotees. Go to Rama and serve him. There will be some people who will always talk. Those things should not be listened to. Once devotion arises in the heart, one needs to go to his God. People will remember you as one who served Rama. If you were going to get the kingdom of Lanka, things would have been different. Prahlada was the cause of the death of his father and was later made the king by Narasimha. Does anyone say anything bad about him?  Ravana has become evil and he needs to be destroyed. Go to Rama without any doubt in your mind.

Vibhishana then bowed down in front of Shiva and Kubera.

Vibhishana leaves Lanka

Rama said he not seen anyone as great as Hanumana. I am not sure what to give you now. Come to me and hug me.  Saying this, Rama extended his hands.

Hanumana guided Rama and others towards the ocean. The chattering of the vanaras could be heard everywhere. Soon they were in front of the ocean. They made small huts with leaves and branches of trees and started living there.

In Lanka, Ravana's mother, Nikasha, sensed that things were not right. She went to Vibhishana. She said You are the righteous one. Ravana is living a life he has earned from pleasing the Gods, Now, he will destroy everything by having forcibly captured Sita. He is not realizing what he has done. I do not wish to live here anymore. See if you can talk some sense to Ravana.

Vibhishana, accompanied with some of his friends went to Ravana. He said All was well till you got Sita here. I have been having nightmares. I see vultures flying around. I hear the howling of foxes. I see a old dark woman looking at Lanka.

Ravana refused to listen to this. What could Rama and a group of vanaras do. He called his ministers and asked them for advise. He asked them how would he able to kill Rama.

The ministers asked the king not to worry. They said they would think of a way to get rid of Rama and the vanaras. They were armed with great weapons and that would be put to good use. They said they were waiting for a signal from Ravana to start a war and kill Rama and Lakshmana.

Vibhishana asked them to be quiet. Send Sita back. All will be peaceful. Lanka will be saved.

Ravana became angry. You talk as if you are elder than me. You talk as if I am a sinner and you are the good one. I do not wish to have a person here, who is scared of humans.

Vibhishana tried again. You are not recognizing divinity and purposely have closed your eyes. You are acting like the blind who cannot distinguish between a stone and a gem. I still say, Do not waste your time. Return Sita. This beautiful land will be saved. I am speaking for your good. When a rogue elephant enters the forest he destroys everything in its path. He also takes with him the domesticated elephants.

Ravana could not stand all this. He stood up. I have captured the Gods and till date not one single person had the guts to speak to me thus.
Ravana jumped down from his throne and kicked Vibhishana on his chest.

Prahastha, a minister of Ravana, caught Ravana and made his sit. he made Vibhishana and his four ministers sit.

Vibhishana said He was not hurt because of Ravana's behavior. You are blinded by luxury. I am leaving Lanka. I am sad as the entire dynasty will be destroyed because of you.

Ravana said I know of people who cannot stand the prosperity of others. You are jealous as I have conquered the Gods. Leave Lanka and Go. Leave us in peace. Go and live with my enemy and be known as a traitor.

Vibhishana said Whatever I had said was for your good. I am leaving you. It is only because you are elder to me, I have tolerated you. I am going to Rama. If there is anyone who wants to join me, please come along with me.

Vibhishana took leave of Ravana, and taking the path in the sky went in the direction of his mother. Four of his friends, Anil, Anal, Bhim and Sampati, who were sons of Mali, decided to go along.

Vibhishana went to his mother. He told her what had happened and took leave off her. He then went to Sarama, his wife. He told her he was going to Rama to seek his refuge. Be with Sita. Take care of her.

Saying this, Vibhishana left Lanka.