Rama consoled Sita who was shaken by Virada's violence. Deciding that the inhospitable jungle was not a fit place for them to live in, they walked towards the haven that was the hermitage of sage Sarabhanga. Approaching it, Rama beheld a matchless marvel that was Indra, in all his glory. Many divine forms surrounded him and his chariot radiated a meteoric dazzle as it stood suspended in the sky, harnessed with four of the most magnificent horses. Apsaras fanned him while gandharvas and great sages sang his praise. Rama said, "Those must be the splendid horses of Indra, the young warriors around him are like fierce tigers." Asking Sita and Lakshmana to wait, Rama walked towards the hermitage. Witnessing his approach, Indra told Sarabhanga, "I will leave now but will meet Rama later, after the fulfillment of his vows. He is soon to achieve something of great significance, a task beyond execution by men of ordinary might." Indra left and Rama stood spellbound. Rama then went to meet the venerable sage, with Sita and Lakshmana. They bowed to the great master and asked him of his divine visitor. Sarabhanga said, "Indra had come to conduct me to the heaven, which I have earned by merit of my penance, unattainable to those who have not subjugated their senses. I was aware of your arrival to this hermitage at some point in time. The time is now and my strong desire to be in your company has detained me. Being with you takes precedence over all else. That sublime abode of Brahma, unsurpassed in beauty, I now most reverently offer you, my worshipful guest". But Rama, declined, "I cannot accept it sir. I have vows to fulfill and promises to redeem". Sarabhanga then advised Rama to meet Sutikshna for further guidance and asked him to stay a moment longer so that he could now give up his mortal body, as a snake its slough. The sage lighted a fire and offered it the oblations of clarified butter. Chanting Vedic hymns the great master of the Vedas entered the fire, consigning his body, a conglomeration of the five elements to the fire. Sita and Lakshmana looked on in awe, as the flames reduced it to ashes. Out of the heat of that fire emerged the radiant form of Sarabhanga. He then traversed beyond the regions of agnihotris, rishis and devas to reach the abode of Brahma.
Summary
Rama consoled Sita who was shaken by Virada's violence. Deciding that the inhospitable jungle was not a fit place for them to live in, they walked towards the haven that was the hermitage of sage Sarabhanga. Approaching it, Rama beheld a matchless marvel that was Indra, in all his glory. Many divine forms surrounded him and his chariot radiated a meteoric dazzle as it stood suspended in the sky, harnessed with four of the most magnificent horses. Apsaras fanned him while gandharvas and great sages sang his praise. Rama said, "Those must be the splendid horses of Indra, the young warriors around him are like fierce tigers." Asking Sita and Lakshmana to wait, Rama walked towards the hermitage. Witnessing his approach, Indra told Sarabhanga, "I will leave now but will meet Rama later, after the fulfillment of his vows. He is soon to achieve something of great significance, a task beyond execution by men of ordinary might." Indra left and Rama stood spellbound. Rama then went to meet the venerable sage, with Sita and Lakshmana. They bowed to the great master and asked him of his divine visitor. Sarabhanga said, "Indra had come to conduct me to the heaven, which I have earned by merit of my penance, unattainable to those who have not subjugated their senses. I was aware of your arrival to this hermitage at some point in time. The time is now and my strong desire to be in your company has detained me. Being with you takes precedence over all else. That sublime abode of Brahma, unsurpassed in beauty, I now most reverently offer you, my worshipful guest". But Rama, declined, "I cannot accept it sir. I have vows to fulfill and promises to redeem". Sarabhanga then advised Rama to meet Sutikshna for further guidance and asked him to stay a moment longer so that he could now give up his mortal body, as a snake its slough. The sage lighted a fire and offered it the oblations of clarified butter. Chanting Vedic hymns the great master of the Vedas entered the fire, consigning his body, a conglomeration of the five elements to the fire. Sita and Lakshmana looked on in awe, as the flames reduced it to ashes. Out of the heat of that fire emerged the radiant form of Sarabhanga. He then traversed beyond the regions of agnihotris, rishis and devas to reach the abode of Brahma.