As Rāma and his companions journeyed through the forest, he turned to Lakṣmaṇa and pointed out a wondrous sight above them. “Behold, Lakṣmaṇa,” he said, “that radiant, splendid, and marvelous chariot, shining like the sun and moving through the sky.” The chariot’s brilliance was dazzling, and its movement seemed almost divine. Rāma continued, “Those horses yoked to the chariot, Lakṣmaṇa, are surely the celestial steeds of Puruhūta, once belonging to Śakra himself. These are the divine horses that move through the heavens.” Around the chariot stood hundreds of men, fierce and majestic, their youthful faces adorned with earrings and their hands gripping swords. They were tiger-like in their vigor, with broad chests and arms strong as iron bars. Their garments shimmered with red rays, and their presence was as formidable as it was difficult to approach. Each of these warriors wore blazing necklaces upon their chests, glowing like fire. “Look, Saumitri,” Rāma remarked, “they all appear to be twenty-five years of age, pleasing to behold.” He explained that this is ever the age of the gods, whose youthful radiance never fades. Rāma then asked Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā to remain where they were. “Stay here for a moment, Lakṣmaṇa, together with Vaidehī, until I discover who this radiant figure in the chariot is.” Having spoken thus to Saumitri, Rāma, the descendant of Kakutstha, proceeded toward the hermitage of the sage Śarabhaṅga. Meanwhile, the lord of Śacī—Indra himself—having seen Rāma approach, took leave of Śarabhaṅga and addressed the assembled gods. “Rāma is coming here, but before he speaks with me, lead me away to completion. Only then is he worthy to see me. I have fulfilled my purpose and soon will depart, for he must accomplish a great deed, difficult for others.” After honoring the ascetic, Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, departed to heaven in his chariot drawn by divine horses. Once Indra had left, Rāma, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā, approached Śarabhaṅga, who was seated at his sacrificial fire. The three respectfully clasped the sage’s feet and, with his permission, sat down, receiving lodging and a warm invitation. Rāma then inquired about Indra’s visit, and Śarabhaṅga recounted everything. “This Indra, O Rāma, has granted me a boon and wishes to take me to Brahma’s world, a realm won by fierce austerity and unattainable for those lacking self-control. But knowing you were nearby, O tiger among men, I did not wish to depart without seeing you, my beloved guest. Now, having met you, O great-souled and righteous one, I shall leave for the highest heaven. O best among men, I have conquered auspicious, inexhaustible worlds; accept from me the Brahmanical and celestial realms.” Rāma, skilled in all scriptures, replied respectfully, “O great sage, I myself shall win all the worlds. I desire only a dwelling here in this forest, as you have indicated.” Śarabhaṅga, recognizing Rāma’s strength, spoke again. “Here dwells the highly radiant and righteous sage named Suteekshna, who lives in the forest with great discipline. He will bring you greater benefit. Go to Suteekshna in his pure abode in the delightful region of the forest; he will arrange your dwelling.” He then instructed Rāma, “Follow the Mandākinī river against its current; this river carries flowers and stars, and it 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 as a serpent casts off its old skin.” Śarabhaṅga then kindled the fire and, offering ghee with proper mantras, entered the sacrificial flames. The fire consumed his hair and body—his old skin, bones, flesh, and blood. From the fire altar arose Śarabhaṅga, now as radiant as a blazing youth. Surpassing the worlds of those who maintain sacred fires, the great sages, and the gods, he ascended to Brahma’s world. There, this virtuous sage, foremost among Brahmins, saw the Lord of Creators surrounded by his attendants. The Lord, seeing Śarabhaṅga, rejoiced and welcomed him warmly. With Śarabhaṅga’s ascension, assemblies of sages gathered and approached Rāma of the Kakutstha line, whose energy blazed brilliantly. Among them were Vaikhānasa and Vālakhilya sages, Samprakṣālas, Marīcipas, Ashmakuṭṭas, ascetics who lived on leaves, those who used their teeth as mortars, those who remained immersed, those who slept on the ground or did not sleep, and those who dwelled in open spaces. There were sages who lived on water, others who subsisted on air, some who resided in the sky, and those who lay on bare earth. Some dwelled upright, some had subdued their senses, some were clad in wet garments, some devoted to recitation, steadfast in austerity, and others practiced the fivefold penance. These assembled sages, well-versed in dharma, approached Rāma, the foremost upholder of righteousness, and spoke to him, the supreme knower of righteousness. “You are the mighty chariot-warrior of the Ikṣvāku line, protector of this earth, like Maghavan among the gods. You are renowned in the three worlds for your fame and valor; in you are found devotion to your father, truthfulness, and abundant righteousness.” Thus, the sages honored Rāma, recognizing his virtue and greatness as he continued his sacred journey through the forest.