As Rāma listened intently, he heard of wondrous garlands that had arisen long ago from the ascetics’ great austerities—garlands born from drops of their sweat, imperishable in nature. Even now, he was told, there remained a devoted attendant of those sages: Śabarī, the long-lived ascetic, steadfast in righteousness and revered by all beings. It was foretold that, upon seeing Rāma—divine in form—Śabarī would finally attain the heavenly worlds. Rāma learned that he and Lakṣmaṇa would soon see the incomparable, secret hermitage of these sages, nestled on the western shore of Lake Pampā. By the decree of the sage Matanga, not even elephants could enter that sacred grove or its surrounding forest. This forest, celebrated as Matanga’s Grove, was described as beautiful as Nandana itself, resembling the very woodland of the gods. Within that forest, alive with the calls of myriad birds, Rāma would find perfect happiness. Before the shining waters of Pampā stood the mountain Rishyamūka, blossoming with trees. This mountain was exceedingly difficult to climb, guarded by young elephants, and said to have been nobly fashioned by Brahmā himself in ancient times. It was a place of marvels: should a righteous man sleep upon its summit, he would awaken to possess whatever wealth he had seen in his dreams. But if a person of wicked conduct dared to climb it, the Rakshasas dwelling there would seize him in his sleep and strike him down. The area echoed with the cries of young elephants playing in Pampā, belonging to those of Matanga’s hermitage. The mighty elephants, their bodies marked with streams of blood from playful contests, roamed the forest in swift, dark herds, as swift and dark as rainclouds. After drinking the pure, fragrant, and cool waters of Pampā, they were fully satisfied, and wandered contentedly through the woods, mingling with bears and tigers whose soft blue fur shone in the dappled light. Rāma would see antelopes, wild boars, and fearless deer, and the sight of these gentle creatures would ease his sorrow. Upon the mountain there was also a great cave, covered with rocks and difficult to enter. At its eastern entrance lay a great pool of cold, delightful water, filled with roots and fruits and surrounded by many trees. In that place, the righteous Sugrīva dwelt with his band of monkeys. Sometimes, the mighty Kabandha himself would appear on the mountain’s summit, instructing Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. Adorned with garlands and shining like the sun, Kabandha appeared in the sky; Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa beheld him there. As he hovered nearby, they said to him, “Go forth, proceed!” Kabandha replied, “Go, so that your purpose may be accomplished.” Well pleased, Kabandha took his leave. Restored to his true, radiant form, Kabandha shone in the sky before Rāma and urged him, “Make friendship!” Thus, guided by Kabandha’s words, the two princes, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, set out westward from the forest near Lake Pampā. As they journeyed, they beheld many mountains covered in honey, flowers, and fruit-bearing trees, all the while seeking Sugrīva. They made their camp on a mountain slope and soon approached the western shore of the beautiful Pampā lake, where they saw the delightful hermitage of Śabarī. Arriving at that lovely hermitage, surrounded by many trees, the brothers gazed upon its serenity and approached Śabarī herself. The accomplished ascetic rose to greet them, joined her palms in reverence, and humbly touched 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 gently to the devoted ascetic, who was established in righteousness. He asked, “Are obstacles overcome for you? Is your austerity increasing? Is your anger restrained and your food regulated, O possessor of ascetic wealth? Are your vows maintained? Is your mind at peace? Has your service to your teachers borne fruit, O gentle speaker?” Śabarī, honored among ascetics and steadfast in her practice, replied with deep joy: “Today, by seeing you, I have attained the fruit of my austerities; today my birth is fulfilled and my teachers are well-honored. Today my practiced austerity is fruitful, and I shall attain heaven as well, for you, Rāma, best of men and god among men, have been worshipped here. By your gracious glance, gentle one, I am purified; by your favor, O subduer of foes, I shall go to the eternal worlds. When you arrived at Citrakūṭa in radiant chariots, from there I ascended to heaven, having served you.” She continued, “By those great sages, knowers of righteousness and highly fortunate, I was told: ‘Rāma will come to your supremely holy hermitage. You must welcome him as a guest, together with Saumitri; and having seen him, you will attain the highest, eternal worlds.’ Thus instructed, O best of men, I have gathered various forest offerings for you, O tiger among men, born on the banks of Pampā.” Thus, Śabarī, her heart overflowing with devotion, welcomed Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa as foretold, fulfilling the command of her teachers and the promise of her own long years of penance.