Time and destiny aid one another with accuracy and none can withstand their combined effect. Both Ravana and Vibhishana need a cause for getting separated and the situation arises naturally during the meeting of the ministers called by Ravana to plan further action after the havoc Hanuman had caused in Lanka. Valmiki describes Time as sitting pretty on Ravana to prompt his thought, word and deed to bring about his fall, said Kalyanapuram Sri Aravamudhachariar in a discourse.
The same moment is also responsible for Vibhishana’s destiny that leads him to seek the feet of the Supreme Lord incarnate, Rama. Vibhishana, the youngest brother of Ravana, surprisingly does not have the tendencies of a rakshasa and is by nature a ‘dharmatma.’ It is obvious to Vibhishana that Ravana is seeking his own fall by confronting Rama. He feels sorry that Ravana underestimates Rama’s prowess. He tries to impress this truth and make Ravana realise the gravity of keeping Sita captive. He is troubled that Ravana is not advised properly and is blinded by the coterie of ministers who fan his vanity.
But Ravana interprets Vibhishana’s advice as that given by a worst enemy. He accuses Vibhishana of being envious of Ravana’s fame and prosperity. He is like the brother who waits for a suitable time to practise treachery. It is the way of the world that brothers and relatives who feed on one’s prosperity turn traitors in actual times of danger. Adverse times bring out their true colours. Ravana calls Vibhishana a base fellow and a disgrace to their race. This insult becomes the last straw to lead Vibhishana away from Lanka to Rama. Vibhishana says that unlike Ravana’s ministers who speak sweet words to appease him without considering his welfare, he had spoken for Ravana’s good, but that truth is bitter and people hate it. The poet uses the term ‘Sriman’ to indicate the auspiciousness that Vibhishana brings on himself when he decides to seek Rama.
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