The Tirukkural captures the spirit of renunciation and surrender thus: ‘When one attaches himself with the Lord who is free from all attachments, he is bound to eternal happiness.
A new bond is gained when all other bonds are
broken. One is no longer ensnared in delusion.’
Scriptures hail the renunciation of all that one considers
as one’s own and offering oneself wholly to the Lord as the
highest spiritual attainment, the only means by which a jivatma can attain salvation. In a discourse, Damal Ramakrishnan and Perundevi pointed out that Vibhishana exemplifies this spirit when he chooses to leave his ties with Ravana who stands in adharma. Though born in the rakshasa race, Vibhishana is described as a dharmatma, one who is by nature a righteous person. He can never be a part of adharma.
Generally, the rakshasas engage in severe penance to gain
boons that confer power and invincibility. But Vibhishana
had sought the boon of infinite wisdom, instead of infinite
power, and the tendency to tread the path of righteousness.
Hence he knows all along that Rama is the Lord Narayana
whom he worships and so decides to seek His feet.
He appears before the group of monkeys on the northern
shores where Rama and Lakshmana stay and stands in the
skies along with four other rakshasa warriors. Even as the
monkeys are ready to attack them, Vibhishana, freed from
delusions, speaks fearlessly about the purpose of his coming
to Rama’s camp when war with Lanka is imminent. When
Vibhishana’s plea is accepted, he falls at Rama’s feet, and
once again repeats his wishes: “I know fully well that you
are the refuge for all beings and hence I seek your feet. I
have renounced my friends, wealth, Lanka, etc and come
here. My place, life and well being henceforth belong to
your kindness and grace.”
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