Dharma in the battlefield

Both Vibhishana and Kumbhakarna stand for righteousness and have great regard and respect for their elder brother Ravana. So when Ravana seeks their counsel and help at the eve of the battle, they voice their concern for his welfare and that of Lanka, and try to impress on him the adharma in coveting Sita. But after much futile debate on this issue, Vibhishana leaves Ravana and seeks the path of dharma by aligning with Rama while Kumbhakarna follows the dharma of being loyal to his brother and of support to him when he needs it most. Valmiki describes Kumbhakarna’s ferocious attack on the vanara warriors and there is none to stop this rakshasa endowed with extraordinary strength. On an impulse, when Vibhishana rushes to ward off Kumbhakarna’s attack on Rama, Kumbhakarna pauses to speak words that spell the nuances of individual dharma as well as those pertaining to war, pointed out Damal Sri Ramakrishnan and Srimati Perundevi in a discourse. He first asks Vibhishana to get out of his way for it is not wise to endanger his life though it is only fitting that Vibhishana protects Rama. He can easily kill him and he does not want that to happen since Vibhishana is the sole survivor and the only hope for Lanka. In war, one does not entertain personal likes and feelings when fighting in opposing camps. Anyway, is he not aware that Rama, the embodiment of dharma is invincible in battle? Those who stand by dharma will never face any sorrow. The power of dharma is such that it will protect those who uphold it. Kumbhakarna appreciates Vibhishana’s moral courage and commitment to truth and dharma that has led him to seek Rama and thereby the path of dharma, in preference to the code that binds brothers. By this act, he has fulfilled the duties of the clan of rakshasas.