Jain Ramayana Part 3

Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

Page 27

Vibhishan
15
Vibhishan was greatly shocked and pained by all this. In consequence he returned to his palace in great agony and agitation. He made this determination, "Whatever might be the consequences of it, I will do all that I can, to safeguard and to protect the noble lady, Sita. I must set about carrying out this duty at once. It is absolutely useless to give any advice to my elder brother. He is so deeply caught in the meshes of sensual cravings that he has lost all sense of right and wrong. Blinded by infatuation, he is unable to distinguish good from evil; right from wrong. Therefore, I must meet the ministers and appraise them of the situation; and after consulting them I should decide upon the future course of action.
Accordingly, the ministers of the empire of Lanka gathered in the palace of Vibhishan. Vibhishan had not sought a meeting with the ministers at any time before. He made arrangements to keep the meeting and the discussions a secret. The ministers were greatly pained to see the agitation and grief which had enveloped the face of Vibhishan.
Breaking the silence. Vibhishan said in a serious voice.
Honoured ministers! I know that you are well-wishers of our empire. I have invited you today to inform you of an extraordinary and distressing situation. You are all aware of the golden history of the resplendent and noble traditions of the Rakshasa dynasty. Before informing you what has happened I would like to ask you if there can be a stronger enemy than infatuation, anger, avarice, jealousy and such other inner enemies. Even if one of these inner enemies enslaves a man what will happen to him ?"
“Ruin... Nothing but utter ruin !"
“You are not unaware of the truth that of these inner enemies sensual craving itself can bring about total ruin, in man's life. That too an infatuation for the wife of another man ! No other sin is greater than this. Probably, you know it but I came to know only today that the mighty Ravan, the emperor of Lanka has brought to Lanka a woman -- another man's wife. She is the noble wife of Shri Ramachandra and she is a woman