As Rāma, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa approached the venerable hermitage, Rāma turned to his brother and spoke with gentle reverence, “Lakṣmaṇa, behold—sage Agastya emerges before us. By his boundless generosity, I recognize this very place as the treasury of all austerities.” The mighty-armed Rāma, son of the illustrious Raghu lineage, then stepped forward and, as Agastya, radiant like the sun, descended to meet them, Rāma humbly grasped the sage’s feet in deep respect. Having thus offered his salutations, Rāma stood with joined palms beside Sītā of Videha and his devoted brother Lakṣmaṇa, all three embodying righteousness and humility. Agastya, the great sage, welcomed them warmly—he received Rāma with honor, offered him a seat and water for washing, and after inquiring about their well-being, invited them to be seated comfortably. Following the sacred customs, Agastya performed oblations into the fire, offered water for their purification, and honored his guests as tradition prescribed. He served them food suitable for those dwelling in the forest, ensuring that every ritual of hospitality was fulfilled. Only after these offerings did the foremost sage, the knower of righteousness, seat himself and address Rāma, who sat before him with joined palms, attentive and versed in dharma. Agastya then spoke, “O Kākutstha, it is right to honor a guest with fire offerings and water; if an ascetic neglects this, he brings upon himself grave consequences in the next world, just as a false witness does. The king, righteous and mighty, is the lord of all people and must be honored and respected. You have come here as a dear guest.” With these words, Agastya further honored Rāma with offerings of fruits, roots, flowers, and other gifts, delighting in fulfilling his guest’s wishes. Then, turning to Rāma, he said, “Here is a divine bow, great and adorned with gold and diamonds, once belonging to Viṣṇu and crafted by Viśvakarman himself. This unfailing arrow, shining like the sun, was given by Brahmā; these two inexhaustible quivers were a gift from Mahendra. They are filled with sharp arrows, blazing like fire, and this sword, sheathed in gold, is adorned with further gold.” He continued, “With this very bow, O Rāma, Viṣṇu once vanquished mighty demons in battle and won radiant glory among the gods. Accept this bow, these quivers, arrows, and sword for your victory, O bestower of honor, just as Indra accepts his thunderbolt.” Having spoken thus, the illustrious sage Agastya, radiant in power, presented all these divine weapons to Rāma and spoke again. With the weapons bestowed, Agastya’s heart was gladdened. He addressed Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa: “I am pleased with you—may good fortune be yours. I am satisfied, O Lakṣmaṇa, that you have come with Sītā to pay your respects to me. Perhaps you are weary from your journey, or perhaps Sītā, daughter of Janaka, is longing for her home. Though delicate, she has not faltered despite hardship; out of love for her husband, she has entered this forest, braving its many dangers. Just as Sītā finds joy here, O Rāma, so should you; she has done what is difficult, following you into exile.” He reflected on the nature of women, saying, “It is the way of women, O descendant of Raghu, to be devoted when all is well, but to abandon one in distress. They are likened to the fickleness of lightning, the sharpness of weapons, and the swiftness of Garuḍa and the wind. But your wife is free from such faults; she is worthy of praise and renown, like the goddess Arundhatī herself. This place is made auspicious, 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, “Blessed and favored am I, for the foremost of sages is pleased with the virtues of my brother’s wife and me, and is satisfied with us as a teacher. But please, guide me to a place with water and many trees, where I may build a hermitage and dwell happily in devotion.” Agastya, righteous in soul, pondered for a moment and then spoke auspicious words, “Go there, establish your hermitage with Saumitri, and delight yourself, faithfully following your father’s command. All of your story is known to me, O sinless one, by the power of my asceticism and out of affection for Daśaratha. By 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. That place is praiseworthy, not far away, and it is near the Godāvarī river; there Sītā will find happiness. It abounds with roots and fruits, is filled with many kinds of birds, secluded, sacred, and beautiful.” He added, “You are ever righteous and capable of protection. Dwelling here, O Rāma, you will also safeguard the ascetics. This great forest of madhūka trees lies before you; 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 the truthful sage. With his permission, and after bowing at his feet, the two brothers, along with Sītā, made their way to the hermitage at Pañcavaṭī. Armed with bows and quivers, undaunted in battle and with focused minds, the sons of the king followed the path shown by the great sage, journeying toward the sacred and beautiful Pañcavaṭī, ready to dwell in righteousness and devotion.