We join the Valmiki Ramayana at the point when Sri Rama has killed the 'demon' Viradha (the killing of Viradha is the first act of Sri Rama in eliminating negative forces in his empire to establish Rama Rajya ) and enters the hermitage of Sage Sharabhanga on his pre-ordained route.
Sage Sharabhanga is about to ascend Lord Indra's aerial chariot to ascend 'heaven' with but declines to go with Indra after he gets the news of Sri Rama's arrival (though he does proceed to 'heaven' later after passing through a 'yogic' fire).
Sage Sharabhanga is about to ascend Lord Indra's aerial chariot to ascend 'heaven' with but declines to go with Indra after he gets the news of Sri Rama's arrival (though he does proceed to 'heaven' later after passing through a 'yogic' fire).
The Ramayana says that on his approach at the hermitage of Sage Sharabhanga, Sri Rama sees a great wonder from close proximity.[3-5-3b, 4].
Sri Rama sees Lord Indra mounted on a great chariot that does not touch the earth, he also sees other 'divinities' attending him, and many more great-souls worshipping him. (Valmiki Ramayana Book 3, Chapter 5 Verses 5,6,7a)
Sri Rama sees at his very nearby a chariot yoked with green horses that traverses in the sky. In its splendour the chariot is like the noontime sun, or a cluster of silver clouds, or like the silvern sphere of the moon. (Valmiki Ramayana Book 3, Chapter 5 Verses 7b-8).
Lord Indra's aerial care is held in the sky with 'green horses'. Picture Courtesy: www.ufocasebook.com |
And the celestials like gandharvas, amaras, siddhaas and very many great sages as well are praising Indra who is abiding in the sky. (Valmiki Ramayana Book 3, Chapter 5 Verses 10b, 11a). The gandharvas, amaras and siddhaas are non-human beings.
Sri Rama then on pointing out the chariot expressed his own amazement saying, "Lakshmana see this wonderful chariot that includes effulgence and auspiciousness as well, and that abides in firmament (sky), and highly luminous like the Sun... (Valmiki Ramayana Book 3, Chapter 5 Verses 12b-13).