Vibhishana (Sanskrit: विभीषण, vibhīshaṇa) is a Hindu mythological character in the epic Ramayana. He is portrayed as the brother of Ravana. He was of a noble character and advised Ravana, who kidnapped and abducted Sita, to return her to Rama. When his brother did not listen to his adivce, Vibishana went to Rama and joined him. Later, when Rama defeated Ravana, Rama coronated Vibishana as the king of Lanka.

Vibhishana was an individual, who possessed Sattvic Guna. From the time of his early childhood, he was spending all his time in meditating the name of the Lord. When Vibhishana was in penance, Brahma appeared and offered him any boon he wanted. Vibhishana, inturn, said that the only thing he wanted was to have his mind fixed at the lotus feet of the Lord. He prayed that he be given the strength by which he will always be at the feet of the Lord. Because Vibhishana had a sattvic mind and a sattvic heart, he could reach

Vibhishana is considered to be an example of full self-surrender. Ravana had a gang of courtiers and ministers who catered to his whims and flattered his vanity. While each of them advised him to challenge Rama in open war and keep Sita for himself, only Vibhishana, his brother, chastised him for his wilfulness and lust and urged him to save himself, his kingdom and his kith and kin by restoring Sita unharmed to her Lord. When Vibhishana went over to Rama, Rama knew that he had a pure heart that could not survive in the poisonous atmosphere of Lanka. So He took care of him and saved him.

Vibishana sacrificed all his wealth and belongings in front of the Grace of Ramachandra.

Vibhishan is the youngest son of Sage Vishrava, who is the son of Sage Pulatsya, one of the Heavenly Guardians. He is therefore, the younger brother of the Lord of Lanka, Ravana and King of Sleep, Kumbakarna.

Vibhishan was one of the extraordinary people among the Rakshasas. Even though he was born in a demon race, he was alert and considered himself

Due to his differences with Ravana and since he was against the act of kidnapping Sita, Ravana exiled him from Lanka and by the orders of his mother, Kaikasi, he went to serve Shri Rama. Because of this act, Lord Rama, anointed him the Lord of Lanka after Ravana's death.

In the Lanka War, Vibhishan helped Shri Rama a lot and divulged many important secrets which were unknown to anyone else except someone from Lanka. He was also the person who gave the secret path to the temple of Mata Nikumbala, the family deity of the Pulatsya Clan.

Even though Vibhishan was from a demon clan, he, is used as a symbol to represent devotion to Shri Rama, showing the fact, that the Lord does not distinguish between his followers, like Prahlada with the Narasimha incarnation. When he attained the position of the King of Lanka, he turned his subjects from the path of evil to the path of good and Dharma. His wife, Queen Sarma also aided him in this effort.

When Shri Rama was about to leave Ayodhya on the banks of the river Sarayu, Lord Rama in his original form of Shri Vishnu ordered him to stay on earth and serve the people and guide them to the path of truth and Dharma, he also ordered Vibhishan to pray the family deity of the Sun Dynasty, Lord Jaganath.

Vibushana in Ayyavazhi

In Ayyavazhi religion, Vibushanan is a mythical figure who was created from the Sweat of Narayana in the Thretha Yukam.

Vibushanan is found in Akilattirattu Ammanai the source of Ayyavazhi mythology and holy script of Ayyavazhi religion.

See also

• List of Ayyavazhi-related articles