Wherever the divine Lord Ramachandra passed, the clouds made a canopy in the sky. As they went along the road the demon Viradha met them, and straightway Raghunatha slew him as he came.

Then at once he assumed a beauteous (divine) form, and Rama, seeing him so woebegone, sent him to his own abode. Accompanied by his handsome younger brother and Sita, the Lord then came to the hermitage of the sage Sharabhanga.

At the sight of Rama’s lotus face, the bee-like eyes of the great sage reverently drank in (the honey of) his beauty. Blessed indeed was Sharabhanga to have been born!

‘Listen, O gracious Raghubira,’ said the sage, ‘the swan disporting in the holy lake of Shankara’s heart’ I was about to leave for Brahma’s realm when the report reached my ears that Rama was coming to the forest.

Day and night I have been watching the road, but now that I have seen my Lord my heart is soothed. I am destitute, Lord of all that is good, but you have shown me favour as your humble servant.

But, Lord, you have not done me a special favour, you have only redeemed your vow. O ravisher of your votaries’ hearts! For the sake of this humble servant stay here (before my eyes) until I discard this body and meet you in your own realm.’

So saying, the sage offered to the Lord whatever austerity and sacrifice, prayers and penance and vows he had observed, and received the gift of devotion. Thus the sage Sharabhanga built a funeral pyre and discarding all attachment from his heart, sat thereon, saying.