Hearing the words that revealed his brother’s death, the dreadful night-wanderer was seized by a terrible anger and rushed furiously at the sage, intent on attack. But the sage, foremost among brahmins, whose brilliance shone like fire from his very eyes, burned the night-wanderer to ashes in an instant, utterly destroying him. This very place, adorned with a tranquil lake and lush forest, was the hermitage of that noble brother. Here, out of compassion for the brahmins, that difficult and righteous act was performed. As Rāma recounted this story to Saumitri, the sun set, and the gentle twilight of evening descended upon them. Together, the brothers performed their evening worship with due reverence. Afterwards, they entered the hermitage and respectfully greeted the sage within. The sage welcomed them warmly, and Rāghava, having been properly received, spent the night there, partaking of simple roots and fruits. When dawn broke and the sun rose in the sky, Rāghava prepared to depart. He bowed low to Agastya’s brother and said, “Venerable one, I have spent the night here in comfort. Now I take my leave, for I wish to see your elder brother, my teacher.” With the sage’s permission, “You may go,” Rāghava set out, following the path indicated to him, observing the beauty of the surrounding forest. As they journeyed, they passed groves of wild rice and jackfruit, and saw śāla, vañjulā, tinisha, ciribilva, madhūka, bilva, and tinduka trees. The forest was alive with hundreds of trees, their branches adorned with blossoming creepers and flowers. Some trees bore the marks of elephants’ trunks, some were brightened by playful monkeys, and others resounded with the cries of intoxicated flocks of birds. Rāma, the lotus-eyed, turned to Lakṣmaṇa, the heroic increaser of prosperity who followed behind him, and spoke: “See how the trees shine with glossy leaves, how gentle are the animals and birds here. Not far ahead lies the hermitage of the great sage, whose mind is pure. This is the renowned hermitage of Agastya, celebrated throughout the world; by his own deeds, it removes the fatigue of the weary. “Look, the forest is veiled in thick smoke, adorned with garlands of bark-cloth, peaceful with calm herds of deer, and alive with the calls of many birds. It was here that the sage, desiring the welfare of the worlds, subdued Death itself by force and made the southern quarter a place of refuge through his virtuous deeds. Because of his power, the southern region became feared by the Rākṣasas; it is visible to them, but they cannot enjoy it. “From the time this quarter was claimed by the virtuous sage, the night-roaming beings have dwelt here in peace, free from enmity. This southern quarter, named for the blessed Agastya, is renowned throughout the three worlds and cannot be overcome by those who act with cruelty. Even the mighty Vindhya mountain, obeying Agastya’s command, ceases to grow, so as not to block the path of the sun. “Here is the illustrious hermitage of Agastya, long-lived and famous for his deeds, served by gentle deer. He is a virtuous sage, honored by all the worlds and ever devoted to the welfare of the good; he will unite us, who have arrived, with what is best for us. Here, I will worship Agastya, that great sage, and here, gentle one, I wish to spend the remainder of our forest exile. “The gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and supreme seers, all with restrained diets, constantly serve Agastya in this place. No liar, cruel, deceitful, or wicked person could dwell here—such is the sage’s nature. Here, gods, Yakṣas, Nāgas, and birds, all with restrained diets, dwell together, devoted to the worship of dharma. The great-souled Siddhas, in chariots shining like the sun, have abandoned their bodies here and ascended to heaven in new forms. The gods themselves grant yaksha-hood, immortality, and various kingdoms here, when worshipped with auspicious offerings. “We have arrived at the hermitage, O Saumitri. Go ahead and announce to the sage that I, together with Sītā, have come.” Let the twelfth chapter be heard. This is the twelfth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Aranya Kāṇḍa. Lakṣmaṇa, Rāghava’s younger brother, entered the hermitage and approached Agastya’s disciple. With joined palms, he spoke: “There is a king named Daśaratha, and his eldest and mighty son, Rāma, has come to see the sage, together with his wife Sītā. I am Lakṣmaṇa, his younger brother, devoted and favorable, if this you have heard. We have entered this wild forest by our father’s command; we all wish to see the revered one. Please announce our arrival.” Hearing Lakṣmaṇa’s words, the ascetic replied, “So be it,” and entered the fire-sanctuary to announce them. Approaching the foremost sage, who was difficult to disturb due to his austerity, the disciple, with joined palms, spoke directly of Rāma’s arrival, just as Lakṣmaṇa had said: “These are the sons of Daśaratha, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. They have entered the hermitage with Sītā, their wife; these destroyers of foes have come to see you, desiring to serve. Whatever is appropriate, you should command.” Thus, the sage learned from his disciple that Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa had arrived.