When the ascetics, tormented by the Rākṣasas, approached Rāma, they pleaded, “O hero, there is no other refuge for us on this earth but you. Protect us all, O prince, from the Rākṣasas.” Hearing their earnest appeal, the righteous son of the Kakutstha dynasty, Rāma, addressed the assembled ascetics devoted to austerity. With humility and firmness, Rāma replied, “You ought not to command me so. I am not to be ordered by ascetics; I have entered this forest solely for my own duty. It is to fulfill my father’s command that I have come here—to remove the harm done to you by the Rākṣasas. By chance, I have arrived for the accomplishment of your purpose, and for me, dwelling in this forest will bear great fruit. I wish to slay the Rākṣasa enemies of the ascetics in battle. Let the sages, rich in austerity, witness my valor, along with my brother.” Having thus spoken and granted a boon to the ascetics, Rāma, steadfast in righteousness and self-control, set out together with Lakṣmaṇa and the ascetics to visit the sage Sutīkṣṇa. Now begins the seventh sarga. Rāma, the scorcher of foes, accompanied by his brother Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā, journeyed to the hermitage of Sutīkṣṇa, along with the twice-born sages. Traveling a long distance and crossing many rivers brimming with water, they beheld a pure and lofty mountain, towering like the great Meru itself. The two sons of Raghu, always together, entered the forest with Sītā, a forest filled with a multitude of trees. Venturing into this dreadful yet wondrous forest, abundant with flowering and fruit-laden trees, Rāma saw a hermitage in a secluded spot, adorned with garlands of bark-cloth. There, he addressed the ascetic Sutīkṣṇa, who sat bearing the marks of penance and austerity, his body covered in filth as was customary for one absorbed in severe tapas. “O venerable one,” Rāma said, “I am Rāma, come to see you. Therefore, speak to me, O knower of righteousness, great sage of true valor.” Sutīkṣṇa welcomed him with joy: “Welcome, best of the Raghus, Rāma, foremost among upholders of truth. This hermitage, now graced by your presence, is as if protected by a lord. Awaiting only you, O greatly renowned one, I have not yet ascended to the world of the gods, even after leaving my body on earth. I have heard of your exile, your residence at Citrakūṭa, and your coming here, O Kakutstha—and even Indra, the lord of gods, has come. The great ruler of the gods approached me and declared that by my merit I have conquered all the worlds. This place, honored by gods and sages and won through austerity, is yours by my favor. You may dwell here with your wife and Lakṣmaṇa.” To this great sage, blazing with severe austerity and truthful in speech, Rāma replied, his composure and reverence reminiscent of Indra addressing 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—this I have heard from the noble Śarabhaṅga and Gautama.” Pleased by Rāma’s words, the renowned sage spoke with great joy: “This very hermitage, O Rāma, is virtuous and delightful, always frequented by groups of sages, and abounds with roots and fruits. Herds of deer come to this hermitage, tempted but unharmed, and depart without fear. Know that there is no other fault here except from the deer.” Hearing these words, Rāma, steadfast and ever ready, grasped his bow and 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 here, what hardship would be greater than that? I am not able to dwell long in this hermitage.” Having said this, Rāma performed the evening twilight rites. Afterward, he arranged to stay in the beautiful hermitage of Sutīkṣṇa, together with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa. Sutīkṣṇa himself, the great-souled sage, honored the two brothers appropriately and, as night fell, offered them pure food suitable for ascetics. Let the eighth sarga be heard. Rāma and Saumitri, having been duly honored by Sutīkṣṇa, spent the night there and awoke at dawn. Rāghava, rising at the proper time with Sītā, performed purification with cool water fragrant with lotuses. In that forest, a refuge for ascetics, Sītā, Rāma, and Lakṣmaṇa worshipped the fire and the deities at dawn. As the sun rose and their sins were dispelled, they approached Sutīkṣṇa and spoke gently: “We have been happily hosted by you, O revered one, honored by your veneration. We now take our leave, for the sages urge us onward. We hasten to see the entire circle of hermitages, of those sages of pure conduct who dwell in the Dandaka forest. We wish to receive your permission, together with these foremost sages, ever steadfast in righteousness and subdued by austerity, blazing like arrows of fire.” Having spoken their wish to depart, Rāma, along with Saumitri and Sītā, bowed reverently at the feet of the sage, ready to continue their journey through the sacred forests.