The sages, recognizing Rāma’s greatness and his deep love for righteousness, approached him with reverence. “O protector,” they said, “we have come to you, the noble-hearted one, seeking your aid. Please forgive us for the boldness of our request. A king who takes a portion of his people’s produce yet fails to protect them as his own children commits a grave injustice. But he who, ever devoted, guards his subjects as dearly as his own life or beloved sons, with all his strength, truly earns the right to kingship. Such a king, O Rāma, achieves lasting fame, reaches the abode of Brahmā, and is honored there. “Moreover, whatever supreme merit an ascetic gains through austerity, a fourth of that accrues to the king who righteously protects his people. Yet now, this great community of forest-dwelling ascetics—mostly brāhmaṇas—though under your protection, O Rāma, is being grievously slain by rākṣasas, as if unprotected. Come and witness the bodies of many noble sages, slain in various ways by fierce rākṣasas in the forest. A great slaughter is taking place among those living by the Pampā river, the Anumandākinī, and those at Citrakūṭa. We can no longer bear the terrible harm these rākṣasas inflict upon the ascetics in the forest. “That is why we have come to you for refuge, O worthy protector. Save us, O Rāma, for we are being slain by these night-roaming beings. There is no other refuge for us on earth but you. O prince, protect us all from the rākṣasas.” Hearing their heartfelt plea, the righteous son of the Kakutstha line, Rāma, spoke to the ascetics devoted to austerity: “You ought not to command me thus; I am not one to be ordered by ascetics. I have entered this forest solely to fulfill my own duty. Yet, in truth, I have come here to carry out my father’s command and to remove the harm done to you by the rākṣasas. By chance, my presence here serves your purpose as well, and for me, dwelling in this forest will bear great fruit. “I wish to destroy the rākṣasa enemies of the ascetics in battle; let the sages, rich in austerity, witness my valor, together with my brother.” Having thus granted a boon to the ascetics, Rāma, steadfast in righteousness and self-controlled, set out with Lakṣmaṇa and the sages, journeying to the hermitage of Sutīkṣṇa. Now begins the seventh sarga. Rāma, the subduer of foes, accompanied by his brother Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā, traveled to the hermitage of Sutīkṣṇa along with the twice-born sages. After a long journey, crossing many rivers brimming with water, they beheld a pure and lofty mountain, towering like great Meru. Together, the two descendants of Raghu and Sītā entered the forest, which was filled with a multitude of trees. Venturing deeper into the dreadful forest, with its many flowering and fruit-laden trees, they saw a hermitage tucked away in a secluded spot, adorned with garlands of bark-cloth. There, Rāma addressed Sutīkṣṇa, the ascetic rich in austerity and bearing the marks of penance. “O venerable one,” he said, “I am Rāma, come to see you. Please speak to me, O knower of righteousness, great sage of true valor.” Sutīkṣṇa welcomed him warmly: “Welcome, best of the Raghus, Rāma, foremost among the upholders of truth. With your arrival, this hermitage feels as if protected by a lord. Awaiting only you, O greatly renowned one, I have not ascended to the world of the gods, though I have left my body on earth. I have heard that, deprived of your kingdom and having taken up residence at Citrakūṭa, you have come here, O Kakutstha. Even Indra, the lord of gods, has visited. “The great lord himself told me that by my merit I have conquered all the worlds. In this place, honored by gods and sages, which I have won through austerity, you may dwell here with your wife and Lakṣmaṇa, by my favor.” To this great sage, blazing with severe austerity and truthful in speech, Rāma replied with self-possession, as Indra might speak to Brahmā: “O great sage, I myself will conquer the worlds; but I desire a dwelling here in the forest, as you have indicated. You are skilled in all matters and devoted to the welfare of all beings; Śarabhaṅga and Gautama have spoken of your noble qualities.” Hearing Rāma’s words, the great sage, renowned in the world, spoke with joy and sweet affection: “This very hermitage, O Rāma, is virtuous and delightful, always frequented by groups of sages, and abounds with roots and fruits. Here, herds of deer come, tempted but unharmed, and depart without fear. Know that there is no other fault here except from the deer.” Upon hearing this, Rāma, steadfast and grasping his bow with arrows, said, “O most fortunate one, I will slay these assembled herds of deer. With a sharp, keen arrow, I would kill them; but if you were to heal them there, what hardship would be greater than that? I am not able to dwell long in this hermitage.” Having said this, Rāma ceased and performed the rites at evening twilight. After completing the evening rites, Rāma arranged to stay in the beautiful hermitage of Sutīkṣṇa, together with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa.