With deep reverence, Rāma stood before the radiant sage Agastya, who, his countenance aglow with spiritual power, addressed him with words of honor: “O bestower of honor, accept this bow, these two quivers, these arrows, and this sword for victory, just as Indra accepts the thunderbolt.” Having thus spoken, the illustrious sage Agastya bestowed upon Rāma those divine weapons, their power shining forth, and then continued to speak. Now begins the thirteenth chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Araṇya Kāṇḍa. Agastya, pleased and gracious, spoke to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa: “Rāma, 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 both weary from your journey, troubled by great fatigue, or perhaps Sītā, the noble daughter of Janaka, is longing for her home. Though delicate by nature, she has not faltered amid hardship; urged by her love for her husband, she has entered this forest, despite its many dangers. Just as Sītā finds joy here, O Rāma, so should you; she has accomplished what is most difficult, following you into the wilderness. “This is the nature of women, O descendant of Raghu: they are devoted when all is well, but may abandon one who is in distress. Women are as fickle as lightning, as sharp as weapons, as swift as Garuḍa and the wind. But your wife is free from these faults; she is worthy of praise and renown, like the virtuous Arundhatī herself. This very place is made auspicious, O subduer of foes, where you will dwell with Saumitri and with this Vaidehī, Sītā.” Thus addressed by the sage, Rāghava, with hands joined in reverence, replied respectfully to the radiant seer, his words imbued with humility: “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, direct me to a place with water and many trees, where I may build a hermitage and dwell happily in devotion.” Hearing Rāma’s words, the best of sages 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 as spoken. All this story of yours is known to me, O sinless one, by the power of 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 too far away, O Rāghava, and it is near the Godāvarī river; there Maithilī will find happiness. It is abundant with roots and fruits, filled with many kinds of birds, secluded, O mighty-armed one, sacred and beautiful as well. You are ever righteous and capable of protection; and, dwelling here, O Rāma, you will also safeguard the ascetics. “This great forest of madhūka trees is seen here, O hero; passing to its north, you must proceed, and you will also 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 sage. Having received 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, quivers fastened, undaunted in battle, the sons of the king proceeded with focused minds to Pañcavaṭī by the path the great sage had shown. Now begins the fourteenth sarga. As he journeyed toward Pañcavaṭī, Rāma, the delight of the Raghu line, encountered a great-bodied vulture of terrifying might. Seeing him dwelling in the forest, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, ever vigilant, thought him to be a rākṣasa-bird and asked, “Who are you?” The mighty vulture, speaking with gentle and pleasing words as if to gladden their hearts, replied, “My children, know me as a friend of your father.” Recognizing him as his father’s companion, Rāghava honored the bird and inquired about his lineage and his name. In response, the bird revealed his ancestry and origin, recounting the story of his birth among all creatures: “In ancient times, O mighty-armed one, there were the progenitors of beings; hear from me, O Rāghava, as I recount them all from the beginning. Kardama was the first among them, then Vikṛta after him; then Śeṣa, Saṃśraya, and the valiant Bahuputra. Sthāṇu, Marīci, Atri, and the mighty Kratu, Pulastya, Aṅgirā, Pracetas, and Pulaha as well. Dakṣa, Vivasvān, another named Ariṣṭanemi, O Rāghava, and the radiant Kaśyapa, who was the last among them. “It is well known, O Rāma, that Prajāpati Dakṣa had sixty illustrious daughters, famed for their great renown. Kaśyapa accepted eight of those daughters, all possessing beautiful forms: Aditi, Diti, Danu, and Kālakā, as well as Tāmrā, Krodhavaśā, Manu, and Anala. Pleased with these maidens, Kaśyapa spoke again…” Thus, the journey of Rāma, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa continued, guided by the wisdom of sages and the company of extraordinary beings in the sacred forests.