Avimdhya

Avimdhya was a senior minister (mantri) in the court of Rāvaṇa in Laṅkā. He was a rākṣasa who spoke for dharma. Again and again he told Rāvaṇa to return Sītā and to avoid war with Rāma.

He also made sure that Sītā was not physically harmed while she was held in the Aśokavana. His story is told in the Rāmopākhyāna, the account of Rāma that is part of the Vana Parva of the Mahābhārata.

Place in Rāvaṇa’s court

Avimdhya served as a minister in Rāvaṇa’s court. He was present when the court discussed the abduction of Sītā.

Rāvaṇa brought Sītā to Laṅkā. Soon the results of this act became clearer. Rāma gathered the vānara (monkey) army, he made an alliance with Sugrīva, and Hanumān came to scout Laṅkā. Through all of this, Avimdhya was among those who argued most clearly that Rāvaṇa should return Sītā.

Avimdhya saw the moral side of the abduction. Sītā was a pativratā (a devoted and faithful wife) of extraordinary power. She was the wife of a righteous king who was protected by the divine. To hold her against her will was adharma (the opposite of dharma) of the most serious kind. He said it would not end well for Laṅkā or for Rāvaṇa. He urged Rāvaṇa to return her and make peace. He held this to be the only path that fitted wisdom and the long-term welfare of the rākṣasa kingdom.

Rāvaṇa did not accept this advice. He also set aside similar advice from Vibhīṣaṇa.

Protection of Sītā

Sītā was a captive in the Aśokavana. Throughout that time Avimdhya made sure that she was not physically harmed. His special task was the safety of the captive. Rāvaṇa wanted to force Sītā to agree to his wishes, and Avimdhya made sure that this desire did not turn into violence against her.

This protection came from his own understanding. He knew that Sītā’s person was sacred. He knew that any harm to her would add to the adharma that had already been done.

Sītā stayed unharmed through all her time in Laṅkā, even under great pressure. Avimdhya’s place in the court, and his steady call for her return, helped to limit how far Rāvaṇa’s madness could go.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapters 273–292 (Rāmopākhyāna)