THE VAANARA'S DOUBT

"At least now restore Seeta and be happy," Vibbeeshana said and tried to persuade Raavana. "Raama will surely forgive you, Take the way of dharma." But Raavana would not listen, and Vibheeshana, as an enemy of sin, had no alternative but to Part Company from the perverse wickedness of Raavana. Hence it would be wrong to find fault with Vibheeshana. And if we find fault with him, it is because our concern for dharma is weak.

But can we find fault with Kumbhakarna? We cannot do this either. He is one of those noble soldiers of lost causes whose faults we forgive for their selfless loyalty, and sublime acceptance of death.

But, because we cannot condemn Kumbhakarna, it does not follow that we must condemn Vibheeshana. There are some people today who rejoice in arguing against dharma and against Vibheeshana; hence this elaboration of a simple point.

Men are restrained from evil by the wholesome fear that if they commit sin they would forfeit the affection and goodwill of their friends and kinsmen. This fear is a strong incentive to good behaviour and its removal would be a serious loss in society.

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