Kabandha, having assumed a radiant and divine form, spoke to Rama, guiding him on the path ahead. “O Rāghava,” he said, “you will find sustenance in this forest. There are birds here, large and round like balls of clarified butter, red ones with curved beaks, and reed-dwelling fish. You will partake of the excellent fish from Pampā Lake—freshly caught, skinless and finless, roasted, lean, and with a single spine. Lakṣmaṇa, ever devoted to you, will serve these fish, and you will eat them amidst the flowers gathered from Pampā. Lakṣmaṇa will also draw water for you from Pampā, fragrant with lotuses, cool, pure, and shining like silver or crystal. He will bring it to you on a lotus leaf, and introduce you to the large monkeys, dwellers of mountain caves, who roam the forests. In the evenings, as you wander, Lakṣmaṇa will show you those monkeys who turn away from water out of greed, bellowing like bulls. You will see, O best of men, large yellow monkeys in Pampā, and trees adorned with garlands. When you behold the auspicious waters of Pampā, your sorrow will fade. The trees there are crowned with tilaka and night jasmine blossoms, as well as blooming lotuses and water lilies. No man has placed these garlands; nor do they wither or fall. They are born from the sweat of the Mataṅga sages’ disciples, who, while carrying forest produce for their teacher, dropped beads of sweat upon the earth. Through their austerity, these garlands arose and remain imperishable. Even today, their attendant Śabarī lives there—a long-lived ascetic, steadfast in righteousness and revered by all. Upon seeing you, O Rāma, divine in form, she will attain the heavenly world. You will witness that incomparable and secret hermitage on the western shore of Lake Pampā. By the decree of the sage Mataṅga, even elephants cannot enter the hermitage or the surrounding forest. That forest, known as Mataṅga’s Grove, resembles Nandana, the woodland of the gods. It resounds with many kinds of birds, and there you will find happiness. Before Pampā stands Rishyamuka Mountain, blossoming with trees. It is difficult to climb, guarded by young elephants, and was nobly fashioned by Brahma in ancient times. Whoever sleeps upon its summit, if virtuous, awakens to whatever wealth he dreams of; but if wicked, the Rakshasas seize him and strike him down. There, the cries of young elephants playing in Pampā can be heard, belonging to the dwellers of Mataṅga’s hermitage. Mighty elephants, their bodies streaked with blood, gather and roam about, swift and dark as clouds. After drinking pure, fragrant, cool water, they are satisfied and roam the woods, mingling with bears and tigers whose soft blue fur shines. Seeing antelopes, wild boars, and fearless deer, your sorrow will vanish. A great cave adorns that mountain, covered with rocks and difficult to enter; at its eastern entrance lies a cold, delightful pool, filled with roots and fruits and surrounded by trees. There, the righteous Sugriva dwells with the monkeys. Sometimes Kabandha himself stands upon the mountain summit, instructing both Rama and Lakṣmaṇa. Wreathed with garlands and shining like the sun, Kabandha appeared in the sky, and the two brothers beheld him. As he stood nearby, Rama and Lakṣmaṇa said, “Go forth, proceed!” Kabandha replied, “Go, so that your purpose may be accomplished.” Receiving their permission, Kabandha, well pleased, departed. Assuming his true form, radiant and adorned with splendor, he appeared in the sky before Rama and said, “Make friendship!” Thus, Kabandha showed the path through the forest near Lake Pampā. Rama and Lakṣmaṇa, sons of the best of men, set out westward, seeking Sugriva. As they traveled, they beheld many mountains covered with honey, flowers, and fruit-bearing trees. They made their camp on a mountain slope and approached the western shore of Lake Pampā. There, they saw the delightful hermitage of Śabarī, surrounded by many trees and exceedingly lovely. They gazed upon it and approached Śabarī. Seeing them, the accomplished ascetic rose, joined her palms in reverence, and took hold of the feet of Rāma and wise Lakṣmaṇa. She offered water for washing their feet and for sipping, all according to proper custom. Then Rāma spoke to the devoted ascetic, established in righteousness.