As Rāma journeyed through the forest, he beheld the sacred place of Kārtikeya and the revered abode of Dharma. It was there that the illustrious sage Agastya, surrounded by his devoted disciples, emerged from his hermitage. Rāma, discerning the sage’s radiant splendor from afar, turned to Lakṣmaṇa and spoke with reverence, “Lakṣmaṇa, behold! The venerable Agastya approaches. By his generosity and presence, I recognize this place as a true treasury of austerities.” Having spoken thus, the mighty-armed Rāma, son of the Raghu dynasty, approached Agastya—brilliant as the sun—and, with humility, clasped the sage’s feet as he descended. After offering this deep respect, Rāma stood before Agastya with his palms joined, accompanied by Sītā of Videha and Lakṣmaṇa, both standing in reverence. Agastya, welcoming Rāma, offered him a seat and water for washing. After inquiring about their well-being, he invited them to be seated. The sage then performed the sacred rites: offering oblations into the fire, presenting water for their refreshment, and honoring his guests with food, as befits the custom of forest-dwellers. Once these rituals were complete and he had taken his seat, the venerable Agastya, foremost among sages and knower of righteousness, addressed Rāma, who sat before him with joined palms, ever mindful of dharma. Agastya spoke, “O Kākutstha, it is proper to honor a guest by offering oblations into the fire and presenting water. If an ascetic neglects this duty, he will, in the next world, suffer as a false witness does—condemned to eat his own flesh. The king, righteous and mighty, is the lord of all people and must be honored and respected, especially when he arrives as a dear guest.” Having thus spoken and honored Rāma with fruits, roots, flowers, and other offerings, Agastya continued, “Here is a divine bow, great and resplendent, adorned with gold and diamonds. It belonged to Viṣṇu and was fashioned by Viśvakarman himself. This unfailing arrow, shining like the sun, was given by Brahmā, and these two inexhaustible quivers were bestowed upon me by Mahendra. The quivers are filled with sharp arrows, blazing like fire, and this sword, sheathed in gold, is adorned with golden ornaments. With this very bow, O Rāma, Viṣṇu once slew mighty demons in battle and gained radiant glory among the gods. Accept, therefore, this bow, these quivers, arrows, and sword for your victory, just as Indra accepts the thunderbolt.” With these words, the illustrious sage Agastya, radiant with spiritual power, presented all those divine weapons to Rāma and addressed him again. Now begins the thirteenth chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Araṇya Kāṇḍa. Agastya spoke with warmth, “Rāma, I am pleased with you—may good fortune be yours! And you, Lakṣmaṇa, I am satisfied that you have come here with Sītā to pay your respects. Perhaps you are both weary from your journey, or perhaps Sītā, daughter of Janaka, is longing for her home. Though she is delicate, she has not faltered from hardship; urged by love for her husband, she has entered this forest, braving its many dangers. Just as Sītā finds joy here, Rāma, so should you; she has accomplished what is difficult, following you into the wilderness. “This is the way of women, O descendant of Raghu: they are devoted when all is well, but may abandon one who is in distress. Their hearts are as fickle as lightning, as sharp as weapons, as swift as Garuḍa and the wind. Yet your wife is free from these faults; she is worthy of praise and renown, like the noble Arundhatī. This place is blessed, O subduer of foes, where you will dwell with Saumitri and with this Vaidehī, Sītā.” Hearing these words, Rāma, with hands joined in reverence, replied respectfully to the radiant seer, his voice as warm as fire. “Truly blessed and favored am I, for the foremost of sages is pleased with the virtues of my brother’s wife and myself, and is satisfied with us as a teacher. But please, direct me to a place with water and many trees, where I may build a hermitage and dwell happily in devotion.” The sage Agastya, hearing Rāma’s request, pondered for a moment and, righteous in soul, spoke these auspicious words: “Go there, establish your hermitage with Saumitri, and delight yourself, faithfully following your father’s command. All that has transpired in your story is known to me, O sinless one, by the power of my asceticism and out of affection for Daśaratha. Through my austerity, I have discerned the desire that dwells in your heart—your wish to reside here with me in this forest hermitage. “Therefore, I say to you: go to Pañcavaṭī, for that woodland region is delightful, and there Maithilī will find joy. It is not far from here, O Rāghava, and it lies near the Godāvarī river; there Sītā will be happy. The place abounds with roots and fruits, is filled with many kinds of birds, secluded, sacred, and beautiful. You are ever righteous and capable of protection; dwelling there, O Rāma, you will also safeguard the ascetics. “See this great forest of madhūka trees before you, O hero; passing to its north, you will come upon a banyan tree. Then, ascending the plateau not far from the mountain, you will reach the well-known Pañcavaṭī, a grove ever blooming with flowers.” Thus instructed by Agastya, Rāma, together with Saumitri, respectfully took leave of that truthful and revered sage, their hearts filled with gratitude and purpose as they set forth to their new dwelling.