Vibhishana
Ravana's brother who joined Rama and became king of Lanka
- Known from
- Valmiki's Ramayana
- Brother
- Ravana
- Kind
- Rakshasa
- Became
- King of Lanka after Ravana's death
- Tradition
- Counted among the Chiranjivis (long-lived immortals)
The rakshasa brother of Ravana who defected to Rama, was made king of Lanka, and handed Rama the Pushpaka for the flight home.
What is Vibhishana known for?
Vibhishana is a younger brother of Ravana in the Ramayana. Although a rakshasa, he is portrayed as devoted to dharma. He urges Ravana to return Sita, is rejected, and crosses over to Rama's side, where his knowledge of Lanka helps Rama win the war.
After Ravana's death, Rama installs Vibhishana as king of Lanka. In the epic it is Vibhishana who offers Rama the Pushpaka, the flying car Ravana had taken from Kubera, so that Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and their allies can travel back to Ayodhya.
Later Hindu tradition counts him among the Chiranjivis, figures said to live until the end of the present age, and he has a place in some Sri Lankan religious traditions. He is known from epic and devotional texts, not historical records.
He is the one who hands Rama the Pushpaka vimana after the war in the site's account of the flying car.
Mentioned on these pages
- Rabbit holePushpaka Vimana
- PersonRavana
Sources
- Valmiki, Ramayana, trans. Ralph T. H. Griffith, sacred-texts.comPrimary text
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, 'Ramayana'Reference
- Wikipedia, 'Vibhishana'Reference
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