हत्वा तु तं भीमबलं विराधं राक्षसं वने। ततः सीतां परिष्वज्य समाश्वास्य च वीर्यवान्॥ अब्रवीद् भ्रातरं रामो लक्ष्मणं दीप्ततेजसम्। कष्टं वनमिदं दुर्गं न च स्मो वनगोचराः॥ अभिगच्छामहे शीघ्रं शरभङ्गं तपोधनम्। आश्रमं शरभङ्गस्य राघवोऽभिजगाम ह॥
Having in the forest slain the Rākṣasa Virādha possessed of tremendous strength, Rāma endued with prowess, embracing and cheering Sītā, spoke to his brother Lakşınaņa of flaming energy, saying, This dense forest is hard to live in; nor are reacquainted with the was of the wood. Therefore will we speedily repair to the ascetic Sarabhanga. Thereupon Rāghava set out for the hermitage of Sarabhanga.
तस्य देवप्रभावस्य तपसा भावितात्मनः। समीपे शरभङ्गस्य ददर्श महदद्भुतम्॥
And Rāma beheld a mighty wonder near that one of celestial virtue, who had purified his soul through asceticism.
विभ्राजमानं वपुषा सूर्यवैश्वानरप्रभम्। रथप्रवरमारूढमाकाशे विबुधानुगम्॥ असंस्पृशन्तं वसुधां ददर्श विबुधेश्वरम्। सम्प्रभाभरणं देवं विरजोऽम्बरधारिणम्॥
He saw the lord of the celestials, possessed of a resplendent person, resembling in effulgence the sun or Vaisvanara-mounted on a superb car (saw) him that is followed by all the celestials, stationed in the sky, not touching the earth, adorned in luminous ornaments-the god dressed in a clean appear!
तद्विधैरेव बहुभिः पूज्यमानं महात्मभिः। हरितैर्वाजिभिर्युक्तमन्तरिक्षगतं रथम्॥ ददर्शादूरतस्तस्य तरुणादित्यसंनिभम्।
Worshipped by many a high-should personage dressed in the same way. And from a distance, (Rāma) saw the car stationed in the sky yoked with green steeds-resembling the infant sun;
पाण्डुराभ्रघनप्रख्यं चन्द्रमण्डलसंनिभम्॥ अपश्यद् विमलं छत्रं चित्रमाल्योपशोभितम्।
And he saw the spotless umbrella possessing the beauty of a mass of white clouds, resembling the lunar disc, and graced with variegated wreaths.
चामरव्यजने चाग्ये रुक्मदण्डे महाधने॥ गृहीते वरनारीभ्यां धूयमाने च मूर्धनि।
And his (Indira's) head was being fanned by two chowris, costly and furnished with golden handles, held by two magnificent damsels; and innumerable Gandharvas and Siddhas and prime sages were hymning the celestial stationed in the welkin. And seeing Sarabhanga engaged in converse with Satakratu, Rāma said to Laksmana (the following words). And pointing out the car, Rāma showed the wonder to his brother.
गन्धर्वामरसिद्धाश्च बहवः परमर्षयः॥ अन्तरिक्षगतं देवं गीर्भिरग्र्याभिरैडयन्। सह सम्भाषमाणे तु शरभङ्गेन वासवे॥ दृष्ट्वा शतक्रतुं तत्र रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्। रामोऽथ रथमुद्दिश्य भ्रातुर्दर्शयताद्भुतम्॥ अर्चिष्मन्तं श्रिया जुष्टमद्भुतं पश्य लक्ष्मण । प्रतपन्तमिवादित्यमन्तरिक्षगतं रथम्॥
Behold, O Laksmana, yonder car stationed in the sky, splendid, furnished with exceeding grace, wonderful, and seeming as if the sun had fallen from the heavens.
ये हयाः पुरुहूतस्य पुरा शक्रस्य नः श्रुताः। अन्तरिक्षगता दिव्यास्त इमे हरयो ध्रुवम्॥
The steeds standing in the sky are for certain those of which we had formerly heard as beionging to Sakra of many sacrifices.
इमे च पुरुषव्याघ्र ये तिष्ठन्त्यभितो दिशम्। शतं शतं कुण्डलिनो युवानः खङ्गपाणयः॥ विस्तीर्णविपुलोरस्काः परिघायतबाहवः।। शोणांशुवसनाः सर्वे व्याघ्रा इव दुरासदाः॥
And, you foremost of men, these youths envisioning (the celestial) by hundreds, wearing earrings, and bearing swords in their hands, are broad of chest, have arms resembling bludgeons in size, and are clad in crimson vesture, like to tigers incapable of being approached.
उरोदेशेषु सर्वेषां हारा ज्वलनसंनिभाः। रूपं विभ्रति सौमित्रे पञ्चविंशतिवार्षिकम्॥
Over the breasts of all appear chains of blazing sheen; and, O son of Sumitrā, their beauty appears that of five and twenty.
एतद्धि किल देवानां वयो भवति नित्यदा। यथेमे पुरुषव्याघ्रा दृश्यन्ते प्रियदर्शनाः॥
And even this is the ever-enduring age of the celestials, as these foremost of men of sweet looks appear.
इहैव सह वैदेह्या मुहूर्तं तिष्ठ लक्ष्मण। यावज्जानाम्यहं व्यक्तं क्व एष द्युतिमान् रथे॥
O Laksmana, stay here awhile with Vaidehi, so long as I do not gather who it is that is in the effulgent car.
तमेवमुक्त्वा सौमित्रिमिहैव स्थीयतामिति। अभिचक्राम काकुत्स्थः शरभङ्गाश्रमं प्रति॥
Saying to Sumitrās son, Stay here, Kākutstha bent his steps towards Sarabhaiga's asylum.
ततः समभिगच्छन्तं प्रेक्ष्य रामं शचीपतिः। शरभङ्गमनुज्ञाप्य विबुधानिदमब्रवीत्॥
And seeing Rāma approach, Saci's lord, taking Sarabhanga's permission, addressed the celestials.
इहोपयात्यसौ रामो यावन्मां नाभिभाषते। निष्ठां नयत तावत् तु ततो माद्रष्टुमर्हति॥
Rāma is coming hither. Do you set out for another place, ere he yet addresses me. He is not fit to behold me (now.)
जितवन्तं कृतार्थं हि तदाहमचिरादिमम्। कर्म ह्यनेन कर्तव्यं महदन्यैः सुदुष्करम्॥
When he shall have vanquished (his foe in fight) and won success, shall I readily show myself to him. He shall have to achieve an act incapable of being achieved by others.
अथ वज्री तमामन्त्र्य मानयित्वा च तापसम्। रथेन हययुक्तेन ययौ दिवमरिंदमः॥
Then rendering homage to that anchorite and conversing with him, the wielder of the thunderbolt-subduer of enemies-repaired to heaven in a car yoked with steeds.
प्रयाते तु सहस्राक्षे राघवः सपरिच्छदः। अग्निहोत्रमुपासीनं शरभङ्गमुपागमत्॥
When the thousand-eyed one had gone away, Rāghava accompanied by his companions appeared before Sarabhanga in the (Agni-hotra) chamber.
तस्य पादौ च संगृह्य रामः सीता च लक्ष्मणः। निषेदुस्तदनुज्ञाता लब्धवासा निमन्त्रिताः॥
Taking his feet, Rāma, Sītā and Lakşmaņa sat down with the permission of the ascetic, who received them and set apart quarters for them.
ततः शक्रोपयानं तु पर्यपृच्छत राघवः। शरभङ्गश्च तत् सर्वं राघवाय न्यवेदयत्॥
Then Rāghava questioned (the sage) concerning the visit of Sakra; and Sarabhanga related everything to Rāghava.
मामेष वरदो राम ब्रह्मलोकं निनीषति। जितमुग्रेण तपसा दुष्प्रापमकृतात्मभिः॥
O Rāma, this bestower of boons wishes to take me to the regions of Brahmā. I have conquered them, incapable of being attained by persons that have not schooled themselves, by virtue of fierce austerities.
अहं ज्ञात्वा नरव्याघ्र वर्तमानमदूरतः। ब्रह्मलोकं न गच्छामि त्वामदृष्ट्वा प्रियातिथिम्॥
O chief of men, knowing that you were near, I became anxious to go to the minor celestial regions and the supreme heaven (of Brahmā), after I had seen you, righteous and high-souled, who are my dear guest now.
त्वयाहं पुरुषव्याघ्र धार्मिकेण महात्मना। समागम्य गमिष्यामि त्रिदिवं चावरं परम्॥ अक्षया नरशार्दूल जिता लोका मया शुभाः। ब्राह्मयाश्च नाकपृष्ठ्याश्च प्रतिगृह्णीष्व मामकान्॥
O foremost of men, having had a meeting with you, a high-souled prince of righteous nature, I have for aye attained the excellent regions of Brahmã and Nākaprştha. Do you receive them as pertaining to me.
एवमुक्तो नरव्याघ्रः सर्वशास्त्रविशारदः। ऋषिणा शरभङ्गेन राघवो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥
Thus addressed by the sage, Sarabhanga, that best of men, Rāghava, versed in every branch of learning, said.
अहमेवाहरिष्यामि सर्वांल्लोकान् महामुने। आवासं त्वहमिच्छामि प्रदिष्टमिह कानने॥
O mighty anchorite, I shall acquire all those regions myself. I now wish that you may direct me as to my abode in this forest.
राघवेणैवमुक्तस्तु शक्रतुल्यबलेन वै। शरभङ्गो महाप्राज्ञः पुनरेवाब्रवीद् वचः॥
Thus accosted by Rāghava resembling Sakra in strength, the eminently wise Sarabhanga again said,
इह राम महातेजाः : सुतीक्ष्णो नाम धार्मिकः। वसत्यरण्ये नियतः स ते श्रेयो विधास्यति॥
O Rāma, here in this forest lives a pious and self-restrained ascetic of mighty energy, named Sutiksna. He will bring about your good.
सुतीक्ष्णमभिगच्छ त्वं शुचौ देशे तपस्विनम्। रमणीये वनोद्देशे स ते वासं विधाास्यति॥ इमां मन्दाकिनी राम प्रतिस्रोतामनुव्रज । नदी पुषपोडुपवहां ततस्तत्र गमिष्यसि ॥
O Rāma, follow this Mandākini flowing among flowers, which (here runs in an opposite direction to her usual course; and then will you reach there.
एष पन्था नरव्याघ्र मुहर्तं पश्य तात माम्। यावज्जहामि गात्राणि जीर्णां त्वचमिवोरगः॥
This is your course, you best of men. Do you now, my child, for a space look at me; while I leave of my limbs, even as a serpent renounces its slough.
ततोऽग्नि स समाधाय हुत्वा चाज्येन मन्त्रवत्। शरभङ्गो महातेजाः प्रविवेश हुताशनम्॥
Then preparing a .fire and with Mantras a offering obiations into it, the exceedingly energetic Sarabhanga entered into the fire.
तस्य रोमाणि केशांश्च तदा वह्निर्महात्मनः। जीर्णां त्वचं तदस्थीनि यच्च मांसं च शोणितम्॥
The fire consumed the down, hair, old skin, bones, flesh and blood of that high-souled one.
स च पावकसंकाशः कुमारः समपद्यत। उत्थायाग्निचयात् तस्माच्छरभङ्गो व्यरोचत ॥
(Anon) Śarabharga became youth resembling fire; and rising from the flame, he appeared splendid.
स लोकानाहिताग्नीनामृषीणां च महात्मनाम्। देवानां च व्यतिक्रम्य ब्रह्मलोकं व्यरोहत॥
And proceeding past the regions of highsouled sages sacrificing with fire, as well as of the celestials, he ascended those of Brahmā.
स पुण्यकर्मा भुवने द्विजर्षभः पितामहं सानुचरं ददर्श ह। पितामहश्चापि समीक्ष्य तं द्विजं ननन्द सुस्वागतमित्युवाच ह ॥
That one of pious acts done on earth-that best of the twice-born the grandfather, in company with his followers. And the grand-father also, beholding that Brahmana, rejoiced greatly, and said-Hail! race-saw