As Rāma journeyed through the forests during his exile, he spent varying lengths of time in the hermitages and sacred groves of the sages. Sometimes he would remain for four, five, or even six months in one place, and in others, he stayed for periods surpassing half a year. In some hermitages, Rāghava lived contentedly for three months, and in others, for as long as eight months, always in the company of Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, surrounded by the peace of the ascetic’s life. Thus, as the years passed, Rāma, ever righteous and knowledgeable in dharma, wandered from one holy dwelling to another with Sītā by his side. In this way, ten years elapsed in harmonious travel and residence among the sages. Eventually, Rāma once more arrived at the hermitage of the venerable sage Suteekṣṇa. Upon his arrival, he was warmly received and honored by the assembled ascetics. Even there, Rāma, the conqueror of his foes, stayed for some time, living quietly in the hermitage. One day, filled with respect, he approached the great sage Suteekṣṇa. Seated before him, the descendant of the illustrious Kakutstha line spoke with gentle reverence: “O revered one, I have heard much about the eminent sage Agastya, who is said to dwell in these forests. Yet, owing to the vastness of the woods, I do not know where his hermitage lies. Where, O noble sage, is the delightful dwelling of that wise and great rishi? For your sake, and with Sītā and my brother, I wish to approach him and offer my respects. This desire to meet Agastya and serve that foremost of sages stirs deeply within my heart.” Hearing these earnest words, Suteekṣṇa, pleased and smiling, replied, “Rāghava, son of Daśaratha, I too was about to suggest this to you, along with Lakṣmaṇa. By good fortune, you have spoken of it yourself. Go, Rāghava, together with Sītā; I will tell you where the great sage Agastya resides. From this hermitage, dear one, travel four yojanas southward. There you will find the splendid hermitage of Agastya’s brother. The region is mostly open land, adorned with groves of pippala trees, charming with many flowers and fruits, and filled with the melodies of countless birds. There you will see clear lotus ponds, crowded with swans and cranes, and beautified by chakravaka ducks. Spend one night there, O Rāma, and in the morning, take the southern path along the edge of the forest. After traveling another yojana, you will reach Agastya’s own hermitage, nestled in a delightful part of the forest, rich with many trees. There, Vaidehī and Lakṣmaṇa will rejoice with you, for the place is truly enchanting. If you have resolved to see the great sage Agastya, then let your mind be set on going there today.” Having received these instructions, Rāma, together with Lakṣmaṇa, bowed respectfully to Suteekṣṇa and set out, with Sītā accompanying them. As they journeyed, they beheld wondrous forests, mountains rising like banks of clouds, serene lakes, and flowing rivers along their way. Following the path indicated by Suteekṣṇa, they traveled with ease. Rāma, exceedingly delighted by the beauty surrounding them, spoke to Lakṣmaṇa, “Surely, this is the hermitage of the great-souled sage Agastya’s virtuous brother, for it appears before us just as described.” He pointed out, “See, the trees are bowed with the weight of fruits and flowers, and the wind carries the pungent fragrance of ripe pippali peppers. Here and there are piles of gathered firewood, and darbha grass, shining like cat’s eye gems, is cut and laid about. In the heart of the forest, a column of smoke rises like the peak of a dark cloud—surely from the hermitage fire. In secluded bathing places, twice-born sages have performed their ablutions and offer flowers they have gathered themselves. All these signs, as Suteekṣṇa told us, show that this must indeed be the hermitage of Agastya’s brother.” Rāma continued, “For the world’s welfare, Agastya’s brother, a doer of great virtue, once subdued Death itself and made this southern region a sanctuary. It is said that here, long ago, two powerful asuras, Vatāpi and Ilvala, brothers and slayers of Brahmins, dwelt together. Ilvala, taking the form of a Brahmin, would mercilessly invite other Brahmins to funeral feasts with deceitful words. After performing the funeral rites for his brother, he would have Vatāpi take the form of a ram, and feed that flesh to the Brahmins as part of the śrāddha ceremony. After they had eaten, Ilvala would loudly call out, ‘Vatāpi, come out!’ Then, at his brother’s call, Vatāpi, bleating like a ram, would burst forth from the bodies of the Brahmins, tearing them apart. In this cruel manner, thousands of Brahmins were destroyed by these shape-shifting, flesh-eating beings. “But then, at the request of the gods, the great sage Agastya accepted such a śrāddha. He consumed the asura Vatāpi himself. Afterwards, when Ilvala, as was his custom, called out, ‘Vatāpi, come out!’ Agastya, wise and renowned, smiled and replied, ‘How can one who has been digested by me—your rakshasa brother in the form of a ram, who has gone to the abode of Yama—come out?’ In this way, Agastya freed the land from their terror.” Thus, with reverence and awe, Rāma, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa approached the sacred hermitage, hearts filled with anticipation to behold the great sage Agastya.