Having received the blessings and permission of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, Kabandha, now freed from his previous curse, departed with great joy. Assuming his true, radiant form, adorned with celestial splendor, Kabandha appeared in the sky before the two princes and earnestly urged them to forge a friendship. Guided by Kabandha, who showed them the path through the forest near the beautiful Lake Pampā, the sons of King Daśaratha—Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa—set out westward. As they journeyed, their eyes fell upon mountains lush with honey, blooming flowers, and trees laden with fruit, their hearts intent on seeking out Sugrīva. They made camp upon a mountain slope and soon approached the western shore of Lake Pampā. There, on the bank, they discovered the delightful hermitage of Śabarī, nestled among many trees and radiating beauty. Drawn by its serenity, the brothers entered the hermitage and approached Śabarī herself. Upon seeing them, Śabarī, an accomplished ascetic, rose with reverence. She joined her palms, bowed respectfully, and lovingly touched the feet of Rāma and wise Lakṣmaṇa. According to proper custom, she offered water for washing their feet and for sipping. Rāma, addressing the devoted ascetic established in righteousness, inquired kindly about her well-being: “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, elderly and steadfast, replied with deep gratitude: “Today, by seeing you, I have attained the fruit of my austerities; today my birth is fulfilled and my teachers are well-honored. My practiced austerity is now fruitful, and I shall attain heaven, 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.” Śabarī then explained to Rāma, who asked her about the true power of those great souls descended from the lineage of Danu, as she knew well. Rāma expressed his desire to witness these wonders directly, if she permitted. Śabarī gladly showed them the great forest, dense as a rain cloud and teeming with beasts and birds. “This is the forest of Mataṅga, renowned as such, O delight of the Raghus. Here, my noble-minded teachers of great splendor performed sacrifices, building a sacred altar and worshipping with mantras. This is the altar facing east, where my honored teachers, with hands trembling from exertion, offered flowers as tribute. By the power of their austerity, O best of the Raghus, the altar still shines with incomparable brilliance, illuminating all directions.” She pointed out further marvels: “Unable to go further, exhausted by fasting and weariness, they mentally summoned the seven seas, which gathered here—behold them. After their ritual baths, they placed their bark garments on these trees; even now, O delight of the Raghus, they have not dried out. The flowers they offered, together with blue lotuses, do not wither, though these acts were performed long ago for the sake of the gods. You have now seen this entire forest and heard its story; so, with your permission, I wish to relinquish this body and join those noble-minded sages whose hermitage I served as an attendant.” Hearing her righteous words, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa were filled with incomparable joy. “How wonderful!” Rāma exclaimed. He then said to Śabarī, steadfast in her vows, “You have honored me, O good lady; go where you wish, as you please.” Receiving Rāma’s permission, Śabarī, clad in bark and black antelope skin, with matted hair, offered herself into the sacrificial fire. She ascended to heaven, resembling blazing fire, adorned with divine ornaments, anointed with heavenly unguents and garlands. She appeared in celestial garments, radiant and lovely, illuminating the heavens like a flash of lightning. By her concentration, she reached the sacred realm where those virtuous great sages dwell. When Śabarī had thus ascended to heaven by her own spiritual power, Rāma, together with his brother Lakṣmaṇa, began to reflect on all that had transpired.