Sages & Others
Vibhishana
विभीषण
The Righteous Rakshasa
Who was Vibhishana?
Vibhishana (विभीषण): The Righteous Rakshasa, one of the sages and supporting figures in the Mahabharata. Son of Visrava by Malini, and handsomest of that brood of Rakshasas.
Quick Facts
| Sanskrit name | विभीषण |
|---|---|
| Title / Epithet | The Righteous Rakshasa |
| Faction | Sages & Others |
| Key traits | righteous, discerning, steadfast, immortal |
| Notable relationships | Brother: Ravana, Brother: Kumbhakarna, Father: Visrava, Ally: Rama |
| Featured in | 5 stories |
About Vibhishana
Son of Visrava by Malini, and handsomest of that brood of Rakshasas. Offered any boon by Brahma, he asked only that he might never swerve from righteousness even in great danger, and was granted immortality for asking it. He followed Kubera rather than Ravana, crossed to Rama's side before the war, guided the host over the sea and named the enemy captains in the field, and was made lord of all the Rakshasas when Lanka fell.
In Their Words
Even in great danger, may I never swerve from the path of the righteous.
Vibhishana
Traits
- righteous
- discerning
- steadfast
- immortal
Story Appearances
Stories Featuring Vibhishana
3 further tales on this site name Vibhishana, in canonical reading order.
Character Arc
- The Boon Nobody Else AskedHe wants only never to leave the path of the virtuous
- Crossing OverHe leaves Lanka with his four companions and takes refuge with Rama
- The Crown of LankaRama gives him the sovereignty his brother lost
Key Relationships
- BrotherRavana
- BrotherKumbhakarna
- FatherVisrava
- AllyRama
Places in Vibhishana's Story
Drawn from the stories Vibhishana appears in.
Related Characters
Others counted among the Sages & Others.