Having fulfilled his purpose and overcome all obstacles, the great sage Śarabhaṅga knew his time in the mortal world was drawing to a close. He recognized that another, a hero among men, was destined to accomplish a deed of immense difficulty—one that lay beyond the reach of ordinary beings. With these thoughts, Indra, the mighty wielder of the thunderbolt, honored the venerable ascetic. Then, mounting his celestial chariot drawn by splendid horses, Indra departed heavenward. After the thousand-eyed Indra had gone, Rāma, accompanied by his loyal companions, approached Śarabhaṅga. The sage was seated by his sacred fire, deep in meditation and radiant with spiritual power. Rāma, along with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, respectfully touched the sage’s feet and, with his blessing, sat before him, gratefully accepting his hospitality and the offer of shelter. Curious about Indra’s recent visit, Rāma asked Śarabhaṅga what had transpired. The sage recounted all that had occurred: “O Rāma, Indra came to grant me a boon, wishing to take me to Brahma’s world—a realm attained only through fierce austerity and self-control, and difficult for most to reach. Yet, knowing you were near, O tiger among men, I could not leave for Brahma’s world without first beholding you, my cherished guest. Now, having met you—O righteous and great-souled one—I am ready to depart for the highest heaven. “O best among men, I have conquered the most auspicious and inexhaustible worlds. Please accept from me the realms of the Brahmanas and the celestials, which I have won through my penance.” Rāma, ever humble and wise in all the scriptures, replied to the sage, “O great ascetic, I shall win all the worlds myself in due time. For now, I desire only a dwelling here in this forest, as you have graciously indicated.” Śarabhaṅga, recognizing Rāma’s resolve and strength—equal to Indra’s—spoke again: “Here in this forest dwells the highly radiant and righteous sage Suteekshna, who lives in perfect discipline. He will bring you even greater benefit. Seek out Suteekshna in his pure and delightful abode, and he will arrange your dwelling. Follow the Mandākinī river upstream, O Rāma. This river carries flowers and stars; follow its current, and you will reach your destination. This is the path, O tiger among men. Watch me for a moment, dear one, as I cast off my mortal body, just as a serpent sheds its old skin.” With these words, Śarabhaṅga prepared himself for the final journey. He kindled the sacred fire, offering ghee with the proper mantras. Then, radiant and serene, he entered the sacrificial flames. The fire consumed his hair and body, his aged skin, bones, flesh, and blood. In that moment, Śarabhaṅga emerged from the fire altar transformed—shining with the vigor of youth, blazing like a living flame. He surpassed the worlds of those who maintain sacred fires, the great sages, and even the gods themselves, ascending to the abode of Brahma. There, in Brahma’s world, the illustrious sage—foremost among Brahmins—beheld the Lord of Creators surrounded by his attendants. Brahma, seeing Śarabhaṅga arrive, rejoiced and welcomed him with warmth and honor. Now, as Śarabhaṅga ascended to heaven, a great assembly of sages gathered. They approached Rāma of the illustrious Kakutstha line, who shone with the brilliance of blazing energy. Among them were Vaikhānasa and Vālakhilya sages, Samprakṣālas, Marīcipas, many Ashmakuṭṭas, and ascetics who lived only on leaves. There were those who used their teeth as mortars, some who remained immersed in water, others who slept on the bare ground or never slept at all, and those who dwelled in the open air. Some lived on water alone, others on air, some even resided in the sky, and still others lay on the bare earth. Among them were sages who stood upright, those who had mastered their senses, those clad in wet garments, those devoted to recitation, steadfast in austerity, and practitioners of the fivefold penance. Having gathered before Rāma—the foremost upholder of righteousness—the assembled sages, well-versed in dharma, addressed him, the supreme knower of righteousness: “O mighty chariot-warrior of the Ikṣvāku line, you are the foremost among men and the protector of this earth, just as Maghavan is among the gods. Your fame and valor are renowned throughout the three worlds. In you shine devotion to your father, truthfulness, and abundant righteousness. “We have come to you, great-souled one, who knows and loves righteousness, seeking your protection. Please forgive us for making this request. O protector, a great unrighteousness is committed by a king who takes a sixth part of the produce, yet does not protect his people as his own children. He who, ever devoted, protects all his subjects as he would his own life, or as beloved sons, with all his strength—such a king attains true kingship. “Such a king, O Rāma, wins lasting fame for many years, reaches the abode of Brahmā, and is honored there. Whatever supreme righteousness an ascetic living on roots and fruits performs, a fourth part of that merit accrues to the king who protects his people with righteousness. “O Rāma, this great community of forest-dwelling ascetics—most of whom are brāhmaṇas—is under your protection. Yet, we are being grievously slain by rākṣasas, as if unprotected. Come, see the bodies of many noble-minded sages, slain in various ways by fierce rākṣasas in the forest. A great slaughter is being committed among those dwelling by the Pampā river, the Anumandākinī, and those residing at Citrakūṭa. “We cannot endure the terrible harm being done to ascetics in the forest by rākṣasas engaged in dreadful deeds. Therefore, seeking refuge, we have come to you, the worthy protector. O Rāma, protect us who are being slain by these night-roaming beings.