Shloka 3.4.20
विराधवधः — The Slaying (Burial) of Viradha
इतो वसति धर्मात्मा शरभङ्गः प्रतापवान्।।।।अध्यर्धयोजने तात महर्षिस्सूर्यसन्निभः।तं क्षिप्रमधिगच्छ त्वं स ते श्रेयोऽभिधास्यति।।।।
ito vasati dharmātmā śarabhaṅgaḥ pratāpavān.
Not far from here dwells Śarabhaṅga—righteous in spirit and mighty in ascetic power.
O dear, there lives Sarabhanga, a righteous sage, comparable to the Sun, at a distance of one and a half yojanas from here. Go to him at once. He will bless you with your well-being.
Dharma is associated with seeking counsel from the righteous: the verse points Rāma toward a dharmic authority (a sage) whose life embodies moral clarity and spiritual power.
After being overpowered, Virādha directs Rāma toward the sage Śarabhaṅga, setting up the next stage of Rāma’s forest-journey and encounters with ascetics.
Reverence for righteous teachers: Rāma is guided to approach a dharmātmā (righteous sage), highlighting humility and reliance on wise counsel.