VIRAADHA'S END

Raama answered: "My Lord, should I not earn my own merit? How can I receive what you have earned? I have renounced everything to live in the forest. Advise me where I can best find an abode in the forest and send me forth with your blessing."

The rishi knew the secret of Raama's avataar and told him: "Learn from the sage Suteekshna where in the forest you should dwell."

Then Sarabhanga kindled a fire and entered it. 'The gross body perished in the flames and a youthful ethereal form rose from the pyre and floated up the heavens.

When the rishis of that forest heard the news of Viraadha's death they came to Raama and surrounded him. "It is our good fortune, O King," they said, "that you have come to dwell in this region. Hereafter, we shall perform our penance untroubled by raakshasas. Look at those bones scattered all round. They are the remains of ascetics killed and eaten by the raakshasas. The rishis on the banks of Pampa and Mandaakini live in constant fear of their lives from these man-eating monsters.

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