Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana arrived at the hermitage of the great sage Agastya, whose virtue and devotion to the welfare of the good were renowned throughout the worlds. Rama spoke warmly of Agastya’s noble character, assuring Sita that this sage, revered by all, would unite them with what is best in their forest life. Here, Rama said, he would worship the illustrious Agastya and spend the remainder of their exile in the forest, confident that in this sacred place, all would be well. The hermitage was no ordinary dwelling. Gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and supreme seers—all living with self-restraint—constantly attended upon Agastya. No liar, cruel, deceitful, or wicked person could survive in this place, so powerful was the sage’s presence. The gods, Yakshas, Nagas, and even the birds, all devoted to dharma, dwelled here, living on little and worshipping righteousness. It was here that great-souled Siddhas, shining in chariots like the sun, had abandoned their bodies and ascended to heaven in new, exalted forms. Divine blessings were granted in this place: the gods bestowed yaksha-hood, immortality, and various kingdoms upon those who worshipped them with auspicious offerings. Rama turned to Lakshmana and said, “We have arrived at the hermitage, O Saumitri. Go before us, announce our arrival to the sage, and say that I have come, together with Sita.” Thus begins the twelfth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa’s Aranya Kāṇḍa. Lakshmana, the devoted younger brother of Rama, entered the hermitage. Approaching Agastya’s disciple, he spoke respectfully, “There is a king named Dasharatha, whose eldest and mighty son, Rama, has come to see the sage, together with his wife Sita. I am Lakshmana, his younger brother, ever devoted to him. By our father’s command, we have entered this wild forest and wish to see the revered one. Please announce us.” Hearing these words, the ascetic disciple replied, “So be it,” and entered the fire-sanctuary to inform Agastya. With joined palms, he approached the sage, whose austerity was formidable, and conveyed Rama’s arrival just as Lakshmana had spoken: “These are the sons of Dasharatha, Rama and Lakshmana. They have come with Sita, their wife, desiring to serve and see you. Please command whatever is appropriate.” Upon hearing this, the sage’s heart filled with joy. He spoke to his disciple, “By good fortune, Rama has come to see me today after so long. I too have longed for his arrival. Let Rama, honored, proceed with his wife and Lakshmana.” The disciple bowed and replied, “So be it,” then hastened out to Lakshmana. He said, “Who is this Rama? Let him come to see the sage and enter himself.” Thus, Lakshmana and the disciple returned to the hermitage, presenting Rama and Sita, the daughter of Janaka, with great respect. They were welcomed according to custom and honored as they deserved. Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana entered the tranquil hermitage, which was filled with gentle deer. Rama beheld the sacred abodes of Brahma, Agni, Vishnu, Mahendra, Vivasvat, Soma, Bhaga, Kubera, Dhatr, Vidhatr, Vayu, and Varuna, the great-souled lord with the noose. He saw the places of Gayatri, the Vasus, the serpent king, Garuda, Kartikeya, and Dharma. Surrounded by his disciples, the sage Agastya himself came forth, his splendor blazing. Seeing him approach, Rama spoke softly to Lakshmana, “Lakshmana, the venerable sage Agastya is coming. By his generosity, I recognize this as the very treasury of austerities.” As Agastya descended, Rama, mighty-armed and righteous, bowed low and grasped the sage’s feet. Sita and Lakshmana stood respectfully by, their palms joined in reverence. Agastya received Rama with honor, offering him a seat and water for washing, and after inquiring about his welfare, invited him to be seated. He performed the sacred rites, offering oblations into the fire, presented water for washing, and honored his guests with food, as was proper for forest-dwellers. Then, having first sat down, Agastya, the foremost knower of righteousness, addressed Rama, who sat before him with joined palms. “Having offered oblations and water, one must honor a guest properly,” Agastya said. “Otherwise, O Kakutstha, if an ascetic neglects this, he will in the next world eat his own flesh, as a false witness does. The king, who is righteous and a mighty chariot-warrior, is the lord of all people; he is to be honored and respected, and you have arrived as a dear guest.” After these words, Agastya further honored Rama with fruits, roots, flowers, and other offerings, according to his wishes. Then the sage spoke again, “This divine, great bow, adorned with gold and diamonds, belonging to Vishnu, was fashioned by Vishvakarman, O tiger among men.” Thus, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana were received with honor and reverence in the sacred hermitage of Agastya, surrounded by the blessings and presence of the gods and sages.