Rāma, the noble Rāghava, spent three months and then eight months living joyfully among the hermitages of the sages. As he continued to dwell peacefully in these sacred retreats, ten years passed in harmonious wandering, always accompanied by Sītā and guided by his understanding of righteousness. Eventually, Rāma returned to the hermitage of Suteekṣṇa. Upon his arrival, he was warmly received and honored by the sages there. Even in this tranquil abode, Rāma, the conqueror of foes, stayed for some time. While residing in Suteekṣṇa’s hermitage, he approached the venerable sage with respect and, once seated, spoke to him: “O revered one, I have heard that the eminent sage Agastya dwells in this forest. Tales of his greatness are often recounted, yet I do not know the location of his hermitage, for this forest is vast. Where might I find the delightful hermitage of that wise and noble sage? For your sake, I wish to approach him, together with my brother and Sītā. My heart is set on paying respects to Agastya; this desire fills my mind. I long to serve that foremost sage myself.” Hearing these earnest words from Rāma, Suteekṣṇa, pleased, replied, “I too wished to tell you this, along with Lakṣmaṇa. Go to Agastya, Rāghava, together with Sītā; by good fortune, you now ask me about this matter. I will tell you where the great sage Agastya resides. From this hermitage, dear one, travel four yojanas south. There you will find the splendid hermitage of Agastya’s brother, in a region mostly open, adorned with groves of pippala trees, charming with many flowers and fruits, and alive with the calls of various birds. There are lotus ponds with clear waters, crowded with swans and cranes, and beautified by chakravaka ducks. Spend one night there, O Rāma, and in the morning proceed southward along the edge of the forest. After traveling a yojana, you will reach Agastya’s hermitage, in a delightful part of the forest adorned with many trees. Vaidehī and Lakṣmaṇa will rejoice with you there, for the forest is rich and beautiful. If you are resolved to see the great sage Agastya, O wise one, then today set your mind on going.” Having listened to Suteekṣṇa’s guidance, Rāma and his brother offered their obeisance and set out toward Agastya, accompanied by Sītā. Along their path, they beheld wondrous forests, mountains rising like clouds, lakes, and rivers. Following the route shown by Suteekṣṇa, they traveled comfortably, and Rāma, filled with delight, spoke to Lakṣmaṇa: “Surely this is the hermitage of the great-souled sage, Agastya, the virtuous brother, as it now appears before us. Along the way, we have seen thousands of trees bent with the weight of fruit and flowers. The wind carries the pungent fragrance of ripe pippali peppers, and here and there are piles of gathered wood and darbha grass, shining like cat’s eye gems, cut and lying about. Amidst the forest, a column of smoke rises from the hermitage fire, resembling the peak of a dark cloud. In secluded bathing places, twice-born sages, having performed their ablutions, offer flowers they have gathered themselves. As Suteekṣṇa told us, this must indeed be the hermitage of Agastya’s brother.” Rāma continued, “For the welfare of the world, his brother, a doer of virtuous deeds, subdued Death by force and made this southern region a sanctuary. Here, it is said, once dwelled the cruel Vatapi and Ilvala, two mighty asuras and slayers of Brahmins, living together as brothers. Ilvala, assuming the form of a Brahmin, would deceitfully invite Brahmins to a funeral feast. After performing funeral rites for his brother, he made Vatapi take the form of a ram and fed the Brahmins according to the prescribed rites of a śrāddha. When the Brahmins had eaten, Ilvala would call out loudly, ‘Vātāpi, come out!’ Hearing his brother’s words, Vātāpi, bleating like a ram, would burst forth from the bodies of the Brahmins, tearing them apart. In this way, thousands of Brahmins were destroyed by these flesh-eating beings, who could assume any form. Then, at the request of the gods, the great sage Agastya attended such a śrāddha and consumed the asura Vātāpi. Afterwards, Ilvala, declaring ‘It is accomplished,’ gave water for rinsing the hands and called out to his brother, ‘Come out!’ At that moment, the wise and eminent Agastya, smiling, spoke to Ilvala, the slayer of Brahmins, as he called: ‘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?’ Hearing these words, which revealed his brother’s death, Ilvala, the night-wanderer, was overcome with anger and began to attack the sage.