Having made a solemn promise, especially to the brāhmaṇas, Rāma knew he could not forsake it. He was resolved: he must protect the sages, whatever the cost. Turning to Sītā, he said, “Even if such words had not been spoken, O Vaidehī, how could I make another pledge? Out of affection and friendship, you have spoken these words to me.” Rāma’s heart was full of satisfaction toward Sītā. “I am fully satisfied with you,” he told her. “For one who is not worthy is not instructed. This is fitting and appropriate for your noble lineage, O beautiful one. You are my companion in righteousness, more precious to me than life itself.” Having thus spoken to his beloved Sītā, the daughter of the king of Mithilā, the great-souled Rāma, bearing his bow, set forth together with Lakṣmaṇa toward the delightful hermitages. Let the eleventh chapter be heard—the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Araṇyakaṇḍa, the eleventh chapter. Rāma walked ahead, Sītā, radiant, was in the middle, and behind followed Lakṣmaṇa, holding his bow. Together, they observed the various rocky slopes and forests, and crossed delightful rivers, with Sītā always at their side. They saw cranes and chakravāka birds roaming the riverbanks, and lakes filled with lotuses, teeming with waterfowl. Herds of deer bounded together, intoxicated and horned; buffaloes, wild boars, and elephants hostile to trees appeared before them. After traveling a long distance, as the sun was setting, they came upon a beautiful lake, ten yojanas wide. It was crowded with lotuses and water-lilies, adorned with herds of elephants, and filled with cranes, swans, and kadamba birds, teeming with aquatic species. In that charming lake with clear waters, the sound of singing and musical instruments was heard, yet no one could be seen. Curious, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, the great chariot-warrior, began to question the sage named Dharmabhṛt. “Hearing this most wondrous thing, O great sage, all of us have become greatly curious; please tell us what this is,” they asked. Thus addressed by Rāghava, the sage, whose soul was devoted to righteousness, promptly began to recount the power of the lake. He spoke: “The great sage Māṇḍakarṇi performed intense austerity for ten thousand years, subsisting only on air, while residing in the water. Then all the gods, led by Agni, became disturbed and, gathering together, spoke among themselves, ‘This sage desires a place among us.’ Thus, all the dwellers of heaven were troubled in mind. To obstruct his austerity, all the gods appointed five chief apsarases, radiant as lightning. By those apsarases, the sage, who had seen the highest and lowest, was brought under the sway of passion, and the gods’ purpose was fulfilled. Those five apsarases became the wives of the sage; in the lake, a house was built for them, concealed within. There, the five apsarases dwell as they please, delighting the sage, who has embraced youth, with their ascetic practices and union. The sound of instruments, mixed with the jingling of ornaments and enchanting songs, is heard from their playful activities.” “Wonderful!”—thus, the noble-minded Rāghava accepted the sage’s words, together with his illustrious brother. As they were speaking, he beheld the circle of hermitages, surrounded by kusa grass and bark garments, and filled with the divine radiance of Brahman. Rāghava entered there with Vaidehī and Lakṣmaṇa, into that splendid circle of hermitages. He stayed there comfortably, honored by the great sages, and then visited the hermitages of those ascetics in turn. The master of mighty weapons, Rāma, had previously dwelt among them, sometimes for several months, sometimes for a whole year. At times he stayed four months, five, or six in other places; elsewhere, he remained for more months, sometimes more than half a year. Rāghava lived happily for three months and eight months in those hermitages of the sages. As he dwelled there in harmony, ten years passed; and Rāghava, knowledgeable in righteousness, journeyed about with Sītā. He again arrived at the hermitage of Suteekṣṇa, and upon reaching it, was honored by the sages. Even there, Rāma, the subduer of foes, stayed for some time. While residing in the hermitage, he respectfully approached the great sage. Seated, the descendant of Kakutstha spoke to Suteekṣṇa: “O revered one, the eminent sage Agastya dwells in this forest. I have always heard tales of him being recounted, but I do not know the location of his hermitage, due to the vastness of this forest. Where is the delightful hermitage of that wise great sage? For the sake of the revered one, I wish to approach him with my brother and Sītā. I wish to go to Agastya and pay respects to the sage; this great desire revolves in my heart. That I might serve that foremost sage myself—” Hearing these words of Rāma, the righteous one, the sage replied. Suteekṣṇa, pleased, addressed the son of Daśaratha: “I too wished to tell you this, together with Lakṣmaṇa. Go to Agastya, Rāghava, together with Sītā; by fortune, you yourself now ask me about this matter.