As the story unfolds, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, journeying through the forest, came upon a place of great significance. There, long ago, a powerful being had rushed furiously at the foremost of brahmins, but the sage, whose brilliance blazed like fire from his very eyes, burned the assailant to ashes. This sacred hermitage, adorned with a tranquil lake and encircled by dense forest, belonged to the brother of the illustrious Agastya. It was here, out of deep compassion for the brahmins, that this extraordinary and difficult deed had been accomplished. While recounting this tale to Saumitri—Lakṣmaṇa—Rāma noticed the sun sinking below the horizon, the gentle light of evening twilight descending upon them. Together, the brothers performed their evening worship with devotion, then entered the hermitage and paid their respects to the sage residing there. The sage welcomed Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa warmly, and that night, the noble Rāghava rested within the hermitage, content with a simple meal of roots and fruits. When dawn broke and the sun rose, Rāma approached Agastya’s brother to take his leave. With humility, he bowed and said, “Venerable one, I have spent the night comfortably in your presence. Now, I take my leave, for I wish to see your elder brother, my revered teacher.” The sage, granting permission, bade him farewell. Rāma, with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, followed the path indicated, observing the splendid forest around them. As they walked, they beheld wild rice, jackfruit, śāla trees, vañjulā, tinisha, ciribilva, madhūka, bilva, and tinduka trees. The forest was alive with hundreds of trees, their branches festooned with blossoming creepers, the tips heavy with flowers. Some trees bore marks where elephants had trampled them with their trunks, others were brightened by playful monkeys, and the air resounded with the calls of intoxicated flocks of birds. Moved by the beauty around him, Rāma, the lotus-eyed, spoke to Lakṣmaṇa, the ever-heroic and prosperous one who walked behind him. “See, the trees shine with glossy leaves, the animals and birds are gentle, and not far from here lies the hermitage of the great sage whose mind is purified. That hermitage, renowned throughout the world as belonging to Agastya, is visible here. By his own deeds, it relieves the fatigue of all who are weary. “Look at this forest—thick with smoke from sacred fires, adorned with garlands of bark-cloth, peaceful herds of deer grazing, and filled with the songs of many birds. Agastya, desiring the welfare of all worlds, subdued Death by force and, through his virtues, made the southern quarter a place of refuge. This is the hermitage of that sage, whose power caused the southern region to be feared by the Rākṣasas. Since the time he took up residence here, the night-roaming beings have been at peace, free from enmity. “This southern quarter, named after the blessed Agastya, is renowned in the three worlds and cannot be overcome by those of cruel deeds. Even the mighty Vindhya mountain, wishing always to block the sun’s path, obeys Agastya’s command and does not grow higher. Here stands the illustrious hermitage of Agastya, long-lived and famed for his deeds, served by gentle deer. “He is a virtuous sage, honored by the worlds, ever devoted to the welfare of the good. He will, I am sure, unite us with what is best. Here, I will worship Agastya, the great sage, and, gentle Lakṣmaṇa, I will spend the remainder of our forest dwelling, O lord. Here, gods with Gandharvas, Siddhas, and supreme seers, all with restrained diets, constantly attend upon Agastya. “In this sacred place, no liar, cruel, deceitful, or wicked person can live; such is the nature of this sage. The gods, Yakṣas, Nāgas, and birds, all with restrained diets, dwell here, devoted to the worship of dharma. Here, the great-souled Siddhas, riding in chariots shining like the sun, have abandoned their bodies and ascended to heaven in new forms. The gods grant yaksha-hood, immortality, and various kingdoms here, when worshipped with auspicious offerings by worthy beings. “We have arrived at the hermitage, Saumitri. Enter first and announce to the sage that I have come, together with Sītā.” Thus, Lakṣmaṇa, the younger brother of Rāghava, entered the hermitage. Approaching Agastya’s disciple, he spoke: “There is a king named Daśaratha, whose 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 has reached your ears. We have entered this exceedingly wild forest by our father’s command; we all wish to see the revered one. Please, announce us.” Hearing Lakṣmaṇa’s words, the ascetic replied, “So be it,” and entered the fire-sanctuary to announce their arrival. Approaching the foremost sage, difficult to disturb due to his austerity, the disciple, with joined palms, spoke of Rāma’s coming, just as Lakṣmaṇa had described: “These are the sons of Daśaratha, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. They have entered the hermitage with Sītā, their wife. The destroyers of foes have come to see you, desiring to serve. Whatever is appropriate, you should command.” Having heard the disciple’s words, the sage understood that Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa had arrived. He then spoke to the noble Vaidehī, Sītā: “By great fortune, Rāma has come to see me today after a long time.