Once, in this very place, two powerful asura brothers named Vatapi and Ilvala dwelt together. They were notorious for their cruelty and for slaying Brahmins. Ilvala, skilled in deception, would disguise himself as a Brahmin and, with cunning words, invite unsuspecting Brahmins to a funeral feast. After performing the funeral rites for his brother, Ilvala would transform Vatapi into the form of a ram and serve his flesh to the Brahmins as part of the prescribed śrāddha rituals. When the Brahmins had finished eating, Ilvala would loudly call out, “Vatapi, come out!” At this command, Vatapi, still in the form of a ram, would burst forth from the bodies of the Brahmins, bleating terribly and tearing them apart from within. In this gruesome manner, the brothers destroyed thousands of Brahmins, using their power to assume any form and their appetite for flesh. Troubled by this horror, the gods themselves sought help from the great sage Agastya. At their request, Agastya attended such a śrāddha and consumed Vatapi without harm. After the meal, Ilvala, as was his custom, offered water for rinsing the hands and called out, “Vatapi, come out!” But this time, Agastya, wise and radiant, smiled and addressed Ilvala, “How can one who has been digested by me—your rakshasa brother in the form of a ram—who has now gone to the abode of Yama, come out?” Hearing these fateful words, Ilvala, furious at the loss of his brother, attacked Agastya in a rage. Yet the sage, his eyes blazing with the fire of his spiritual power, burned Ilvala to ashes. Thus, out of compassion for the Brahmins, Agastya accomplished this difficult and noble deed at this very hermitage, which is adorned with a tranquil lake and lush forest. As this tale was being recounted, the sun set and twilight fell upon Rāma and Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa). Together, they performed their evening worship, then entered the hermitage and greeted the sage who dwelt there. Welcomed kindly, Rāma spent the night in that place, sustained by roots and fruits. When dawn broke and the sun rose, Rāma took his leave of Agastya’s brother, offering his respects: “I bow to you, venerable one. I have spent the night comfortably. Now I go to see your elder brother, my teacher.” With the sage’s blessing, Rāma, the delight of the Raghu line, set off along the indicated path, observing the beauty of the forest around him. As he walked, Rāma saw wild rice, jackfruit, śāla trees, vañjulā, tinisha, ciribilva, madhūka, bilva, and tinduka trees. The forest was alive with hundreds of trees, their branches entwined with blossoming creepers and flowers. Some trees bore the marks of elephants’ trunks, others were brightened by playful monkeys, and the air resounded with the cries of flocks of intoxicated birds. Rāma, whose eyes were like lotuses, turned to Lakṣmaṇa, that heroic increaser of prosperity who followed him, and said, “See how the trees shine with glossy leaves, and how gentle are the animals and birds. Not far from here lies the hermitage of the great sage whose mind is pure. That hermitage, renowned throughout the world as Agastya’s, is before us. By his deeds, it is a sanctuary that removes the fatigue of the weary.” The forest ahead was thick with smoke, adorned with garlands of bark-cloth, peaceful with calm herds of deer, and alive with the calls of many birds. Rāma continued, “He, desiring the welfare of the worlds, subdued Death itself and made the southern quarter a place of refuge through his virtuous deeds. This is the hermitage of that sage whose power made the southern quarter feared by the Rākṣasas. Since he took up residence here, those night-roaming beings have been at peace, free from enmity. This southern land, named after the blessed one, is celebrated in all three worlds and cannot be overcome by those who are cruel.” Rāma pointed out, “To always block the path of the sun, the great Vindhya mountain, obeying Agastya’s command, does not grow higher. This is the illustrious hermitage of Agastya, famed for his long life and great deeds, served by gentle deer. He is a virtuous sage, honored by all, ever devoted to the welfare of the good. He will surely unite us, who have arrived, with what is best.” He continued, “Here I shall worship Agastya, the great sage, and, gentle Lakṣmaṇa, here we will spend the remainder of our forest exile. The gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and supreme seers—all with restrained diets—constantly attend upon Agastya here. No liar, cruel, deceitful, or wicked person can dwell in this place; such is the nature of this sage.” “In this sacred place, the gods, Yakṣas, Nāgas, and birds, all with disciplined diets, live in devotion to dharma. Here, the great-souled Siddhas, riding chariots shining like the sun, have ascended to heaven in new forms, having abandoned their mortal bodies. The gods grant yaksha-hood, immortality, and various kingdoms here, when worshipped with auspicious offerings.” Finally, Rāma said to Saumitri, “We have arrived at the hermitage, O Lakṣmaṇa. Enter first and announce to the sage that I have come, together with Sītā.