Names, Places, Events, Things: Ruminations and Essays on Hindu Mythology

4. Vibhishana – Also known as Bibhishana, he is the younger brother of Ravana. His lineage is thus: Out of the seven great sages (Saptarshi), who are supposed to be sons of Brahma, one of the rishis was Pulatsya .  His son was Rishi Vishrava . Vishrava married Idavida, daughter of Rishi Bharadwaja.  ldavida bore Vishrava a son, Kubera , the Lord of Wealth and the original ruler of Lanka.  However, by this time, the accounts of Vishrava's far-reaching Yogic powers reached the ears of the Asura, Sumali , and his wife, Thataka. They got their daughter Kaikesi married to Vishrava. Vishrava fathered four children with her – Ravana , Kumbakarna , Vibhishana , and a daughter, Soorpanaka . Ravana would eventually oust his half-brother, Kubera, as King of Lanka and usurp his throne. Vibhishana was the third and youngest brother of Ravana. He had differences with Ravana for a long time. When Rama came searching for his wife Sita, Vibhishana’s mother Kaikesi advised Vi...