Vibhishana IAST: or
Bibhishan (
Sinhala:විභිෂණ) was a king who ruled what is part of Sri Lanka today and is also written about in the historical epic
Ramayana. He was the younger brother of the
Rakshasa (demon) king
Ravana of
Lanka. Though a
Rakshasa himself, Vibhishana was of a noble character and advised Ravana, who kidnapped and abducted
Sita, to return her to her husband
Rama in an orderly fashion and promptly. When his brother did not listen to his advice, Vibhishana joined Rama's army. Later, when Rama defeated Ravana, Rama crowned Vibhishana as the king of Lanka.