THE DOCTRINE OF SURRENDER AND GRACE

Raama said to Sugreeva: "I see what you mean. But listen. It is natural for kings to suspect brothers and neighbour-kings. Good kings who entertain no such suspicion are exceptions. Most kings imagine that brothers envy them. What wonder then if Raavana suspected and insulted Vibheeshana? It follows that Vibheeshana feared danger to himself if he stayed on in Lanka.

I conclude therefore that he has no sinister motive against us in coming here for refuge. Let us go further and grant that he has eyes on the kingdom, expecting Raavana's defeat at our hands. Even in this ambition there is nothing wrong. Well, Lakshmana, can we expect all people to be like our Bharata?"

Having said this, Raama was silent for a moment, lost in remembrance of Bharata's selfless love.  Then he spoke: "Who in the world is as lucky as I am? Who has a brother Re Bharata? And what a father I had! His love for me was so great that his life fled when I came away to the forest. And my friends, who else is blessed like me with friends such as you?"

Having spoken thus he wiped the tears in his eyes, and went back to the subject on hand.

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