Near the hermitage of the great ascetic Śarabhaṅga—whose soul was purified by austerity and who possessed divine powers—Rāma beheld a wondrous and extraordinary sight. There, shining resplendent and adorned, clothed in spotless garments, and not touching the earth, was the lord of the gods himself. Rāma saw this deity, worshipped by many great souls, riding in a celestial chariot drawn by green horses, soaring gracefully through the sky. From a distance, the divine being shone like the rising sun, his radiance resembling a mass of white clouds and the orb of the full moon. Above him was held a spotless parasol, beautifully adorned with marvelous garlands, and two excellent fly-whisks with golden handles, of great worth, were waved about him. These were held by noble women, while all around stood many Gandharvas, gods, Siddhas, and eminent sages, gathered in his honor. There in the sky, this god was praised with excellent words and was engaged in conversation with Śarabhaṅga, accompanied by Vāsava. As Rāma observed this marvelous scene, he turned to Lakṣmaṇa and, pointing to the wondrous chariot, said, “Behold, Lakṣmaṇa, that radiant, splendid, and marvelous chariot, shining like the sun and moving in the sky. Those horses yoked to it, which we have heard belong to Śakra—these must surely be the divine horses of Puruhūta, moving through the heavens. “And see, Lakṣmaṇa, those men who stand all around—hundreds upon hundreds—youthful, adorned with earrings, holding swords, fierce as tigers, with broad, expansive chests and arms like iron bars. They are clothed in garments with red rays, hard to approach, and each wears a blazing necklace upon his chest. All appear to be about twenty-five years old, for this, O Saumitri, is ever the age of the gods—youthful, strong, and pleasing to behold. “Wait here for a moment, Lakṣmaṇa, together with Vaidehī. I wish to learn clearly who this radiant one in the chariot is.” Having spoken thus to his brother, Rāma, descendant of Kakutstha, proceeded toward the hermitage of Śarabhaṅga. As Rāma approached, the lord of Śacī, Indra himself, having taken leave of Śarabhaṅga, spoke to the assembled gods, “Rāma is coming here, but until he speaks with me, lead me away to completion; then he is worthy to see me. I have accomplished my purpose and shall soon depart. Rāma must perform a great deed, difficult for others.” Having thus addressed and honored the ascetic, Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, departed to heaven in his chariot yoked with divine horses. Once the thousand-eyed Indra had departed, Rāghava, accompanied by Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, approached the sage Śarabhaṅga, who was seated at his sacrificial fire. With reverence, Rāma, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa clasped the sage’s feet, and, with his permission, sat down, receiving his hospitality and invitation. Rāghava then inquired about Indra’s arrival, and Śarabhaṅga related all that had transpired. “This Indra, O Rāma, wished to grant me a boon and take me to Brahma’s world, which is won by fierce austerity and is difficult to attain for those who lack self-control. But knowing you were near, O tiger among men, I did not go to Brahma’s world without first seeing you, my beloved guest. Now, having met you, O great-souled and righteous one, I shall depart for the highest heaven. “O best among men, I have conquered auspicious worlds that are inexhaustible. Accept from me the Brahmanical and celestial realms.” Thus addressed by the sage, Rāghava, skilled in all scriptures, replied, “O great sage, I shall myself win all the worlds. I desire only a dwelling here in this forest, as you have indicated.” Śarabhaṅga, wise and radiant, then spoke again: “Here, O Rāma, dwells the highly radiant and righteous sage Suteekshna, who lives in the forest with great discipline. He will bring you even greater benefit. Go to Suteekshna in his pure abode, in the delightful region of the forest; he will arrange your dwelling. Follow the Mandākinī river, O Rāma, going against its current; this river carries flowers and stars, and will lead you to your destination. This is the path, O tiger among men. Watch me for a moment, dear one, until I shed my limbs like a serpent casts off its old skin.” Then, having kindled the sacred fire and offered ghee with proper mantras, the radiant Śarabhaṅga entered the sacrificial flames. In that moment, the fire consumed the hair and body of the great-souled sage—his old skin, bones, flesh, and blood. From the fire altar, he arose, shining like a blazing youth, his form resplendent and renewed. Surpassing the worlds of those who maintain sacred fires, the great sages, and even the gods, Śarabhaṅga ascended to Brahma’s world. There, the virtuous sage, foremost among Brahmins, saw the Lord of Creators with his attendants. The Lord, seeing him arrive, rejoiced and welcomed him warmly. Thus concludes this episode. Hear now the sixth chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Araṇyakaṇḍa.