The Story of Agastya Muni (Sarga 11-12)

Speaking thus, Lord Shri Ramachandra saw a circle of hermitages where bark garments were spread everywhere and all around was cheerful. That hermitage shone with the great Brahmic splendor of spiritual wealth. Entering that radiant circle of hermitages with obedient Janaki (Sita) and Lakshmana, the glory of the Kakutstha line, Shri Rama, dwelt there happily at that time. The great sages living there honored and welcomed them greatly.

Thereafter, Shri Ramachandra, the knower of mighty weapons, went one by one to the hermitages of all those austere sages. He also returned to the places where he had previously stayed, seeing their devotion, and stayed again—somewhere for ten months, somewhere for a year, somewhere for four months, somewhere for five or six months, somewhere even more, that is seven months, and still more, eight months; somewhere for half a month more—thus eight and a half months; somewhere for three months; and for eight and three—eleven months—Shri Ramachandra dwelt happily. In this way, living among the sages’ hermitages and, finding congeniality, experiencing joy, ten years passed for them.

After thus wandering everywhere, the Lord of Dharma, Bhagavan Shri Rama, returned again with Sita to the hermitage of Sutikshna. The subduer of enemies, Shri Rama, coming to that hermitage, was duly honored by the sages dwelling there, and stayed there too for some time. While residing in that hermitage, Shri Rama once sat near the great sage Sutikshna and, with humble feeling, said:

“Revered sir, I have daily heard from the mouths of people engaged in conversation that somewhere in this forest the foremost among sages, Agastya, resides. But because of the vastness of this forest, I do not know that place. Where is the beautiful hermitage of that wise great sage?

“I, with Lakshmana and Sita, wish to go to that sage’s hermitage to bow to the great Lord Agastya and please him. This great desire is circling in my heart. I wish myself to render service to the venerable sage Agastya.”

Hearing these words of the righteous Shri Rama, Sage Sutikshna was greatly pleased and thus spoke to the son of Dasharatha:

“O Raghunandana, I too, along with Lakshmana, wished to tell you that you should go with Sita to Sage Agastya. It is fortunate that at this time you yourself are asking me about going there. Shri Rama, I shall now tell you the location of the hermitage where the great sage Agastya resides. From this hermitage go four yojanas to the south. There you will find the very large and beautiful hermitage of Agastya’s brother. The ground of the forest there is mostly level, and a grove of pipal trees enhances the beauty of that hermitage. There is a great abundance of flowers and fruits. Near that charming hermitage, resounding with the calls of many kinds of birds, are lakes adorned with lotuses of various sorts, filled with pure water. Swans and karandava ducks are spread everywhere in them, and chakravaka birds add to their beauty. Shri Rama, spend one night at that hermitage, and in the morning go along the southern edge of that forest tract. Proceeding one yojana further, in a delightful part of the forest embellished with countless trees, you will find the hermitage of Sage Agastya. There, obedient Janaki (Sita) and Lakshmana will wander happily with you, for that forest region, adorned with numerous trees, is very delightful. O great-minded one, if you have firmly resolved to behold the great sage Agastya, then resolve to set out for that place today itself.”

Hearing his words, Shri Ramachandra, together with his brother, bowed to him, and with Sita and Lakshmana set forth toward the hermitage of Agastya. Watching the wondrous forests, the mountain ranges like garlands of clouds, the lakes and rivers encountered along the way, they went forward. Proceeding happily by the path Sutikshna had indicated, Shri Ramachandra, filled with great joy, said this to Lakshmana:

“O son of Sumitra, surely this is the hermitage of the great-souled Agastya’s brother, performer of meritorious rites, that we see. For, as Sutikshna described, along this forest path the well-known trees stand resplendent, bent under the loads of flowers and fruits. The fragrance of ripe pipal figs in this forest has suddenly been wafted here by the wind, which arouses a tang of astringent taste. Here and there heaps of firewood are seen, and some cut logs are visible, colored like vaidurya gems. Look—the smoke of the sacred fire of the hermitage is rising in the midst of the forest; its front appears like the upper part of dark clouds. Here Brahmins, having bathed in the sequestered and holy fords, offer garlands to the gods made from flowers they have themselves gathered. Gentle one, just as I heard Sutikshna’s words, so surely this is the hermitage of Agastya’s brother. This very Agastya, performer of holy deeds, for the welfare of all, swiftly subdued the death-like demons Vātāpi and Ilvala and made this southern region fit to be taken as refuge.

“Once upon a time, here lived together the two brothers Vātāpi and Ilvala, of cruel nature. These two great Asuras killed Brahmins. The merciless Ilvala would take on the form of a Brahmin, speaking Sanskrit, and go about inviting Brahmins for a śrāddha. Then, making his own brother Vātāpi assume the form of meat-dish (ram-flesh), he would prepare him and feed the Brahmins at the śrāddha as prescribed in the rites. When the Brahmins had eaten, Ilvala would call out in a loud voice, ‘Vātāpi, come out!’ Hearing his brother’s words, Vātāpi, bleating like a ram—‘baa, baa’—would tear open the bellies of those Brahmins and come out. In this way, those flesh-eating demons who could assume forms at will daily joined together and destroyed Brahmins learned in the scriptures.

“At that time, at the gods’ prayer, the great sage Agastya knowingly ate that great demon, who had taken the form of the meat dish, at the śrāddha. Thereafter, saying that the śrāddha rites were completed, Agastya had water for rinsing given from the Brahmins’ hands. Then Ilvala addressed his brother and said, ‘Come out!’ Calling to his brother thus, that Brahmin-slaying demon was addressed with a smile by the wise and foremost sage Agastya: ‘That demon, your brother, who took the form of the meat dish and whom I have eaten and digested, has gone to the realm of Yama. Where now is the power for him to come out?’

“Hearing the sage’s words announcing his brother’s death, that night-ranger, with wrath, began the attempt to kill him. As soon as he rushed upon the best of twice-born, Agastya, blazing with kindled splendor, burned that demon with his fire-like glance. Thus he died. Out of compassion for the Brahmins he accomplished this difficult deed—this is the hermitage of that very great sage Agastya’s brother, which shines amidst lake and forest.”

While Shri Ramachandra was thus speaking with Lakshmana, the sun set and evening arrived. Then Shri Rama, uttering the evening prayers with his brother according to rite, entered the hermitage and bowed his head at the feet of the great sages. The sage duly honored and welcomed them. Shri Rama, together with Sita and Lakshmana, ate fruits and roots and stayed that night at the hermitage. When night had passed and the sun rose, Shri Ramachandra, taking leave of Agastya’s brother, said:

“Revered one, I bow at your feet. I have spent the night here with great happiness. Now I will go to behold your elder brother, the great sage Agastya. For this I seek your permission.”

Then the great sage said, “Very well, go.” Thus receiving permission from the sage, Bhagavan Shri Rama went on by the path indicated by Sutikshna, admiring the beauty of the forest as he went. Along the way, Shri Rama beheld nivāra (wild rice), kadamba, water-kadamba, jackfruit, sākhū, ashoka, tinish, chi, bilva, mahua, bel, tendu, and hundreds of other forest trees, all filled with blossoms and wreathed with blooming creepers, greatly enhancing their beauty. Some trees had been torn and crushed by elephants with their trunks. Many monkeys sitting on the trees enhanced their charm. Hundreds of rapturous birds were chirping on their branches. Then the lotus-eyed Shri Rama, to the valorous Lakshmana who followed close behind and enhanced his luster, spoke thus:

“The leaves of the trees here look as smooth as we have heard. The beasts and birds are gentle, milk-white in demeanor, and serene. From this it appears that the hermitage of the great-souled sage Agastya, pure in inner being, is not far from here. The same whose very deeds have made him renowned in the world by the name ‘Agastya’—this is his hermitage that appears, removing the fatigue of weary travelers. This hermitage’s forest is pervaded by much smoke from sacrificial rites related to yajña; rows of bark garments add to its beauty. The herds of deer here are always tranquil, and the hermitage resounds with the calls of various birds. The meritorious great sage Agastya, since the time he set foot in this quarter, swiftly subdued the death-like demons for the welfare of all people and made this southern region fit to be taken as refuge, and by his influence the demons, seeing this southern quarter, are frightened even from afar and do not enjoy it. This is his hermitage. Since the great sage Agastya came into this direction, the night-rangers here have become scarce and peaceful. By the glory of Bhagavan Agastya, because of the acquisition of such qualities as fearlessness in the surroundings of this hermitage, and because it is invincible to cruel-deeding demons, this entire quarter came to be called ‘Dakshina’ in all three worlds—famed by that very name—and it is also called ‘Agastya’s direction.’

“Once the best of mountains, Vindhya, grew to block the path of the sun. But at the word of the great sage Agastya he became humble. Since then till today, continually obeying his command, he never grows. He is long-lived and great-souled. His deeds—like draining the ocean—are famed in the three worlds. This is that very splendid hermitage of Agastya, served by gentle deer. This great-souled Agastya is worshiped by all the worlds and always engaged in the welfare of the virtuous. He will make us, who have come to him, share in auspiciousness by his blessing. O gentle Lakshmana, capable of service, I shall remain here and worship the great sage Agastya, and I will pass the remaining days of exile staying right here. Gods, gandharvas, siddhas, and great sages here, taking regulated food, always worship Sage Agastya. Such is the powerful sage—no liar, cruel, wicked, ruthless, or sinful person can remain alive in his hermitage. Here, to worship Dharma, gods, yakshas, nāgas, and birds dwell taking regulated food. At this hermitage, many accomplished great souls and sages, having cast off their bodies, have, with new bodies, attained the heavenly world by sun-bright aerial cars. Here the gods, worshiped by beings devoted to good deeds, grant them yaksha-hood, immortality, and various realms. O son of Sumitra, now we have reached the hermitage. You go first and, with Sita, announce to the sages my arrival.”

Sarga Twelve. The entry of Shri Rama and others into Agastya’s hermitage, their reception as guests, and the great sage’s bestowal upon them of divine weapons.

Lakshmana, the younger brother of Shri Ramachandra, entered the hermitage and met Agastya’s disciple, and said this to him: “Those who in Ayodhya were known by the name King Dasharatha—his eldest son, the mighty Shri Ramachandra, has come with his wife Sita for the sight of the great sage. I am his younger brother, well-wisher, follower in harmony, and devotee. My name is Lakshmana—perhaps this name has once fallen upon your ears. By our father’s command we have come into this extremely fearful forest, and we desire to behold Bhagavan Sage Agastya. Please convey this news to him.”

Hearing Lakshmana’s words, that austerity-rich disciple said, “Very well,” and entered the fire-hall to give the news to the great sage. Entering the fire-hall, that dear disciple of Agastya, hard for others to overcome because of the power of his penance, approached the best of sages, Agastya, joined his hands, and quickly informed him, according to Lakshmana’s statement, of Shri Ramachandra’s arrival: “O great sage, these two sons of King Dasharatha—Shri Rama and Lakshmana—have arrived at the hermitage. Shri Rama is with his righteous wife Sita. These two, heroes who subdue enemies, have come to have your darshan for the purpose of serving you. Now, in this matter, whatever is to be said or done, please command me.”

Hearing from his disciple the good news of the auspicious coming of Shri Rama with Lakshmana and Janaki, the great sage said: “It is a good fortune that today, after a long time, Shri Ramachandra himself has come to meet me. In my heart too, for many days, there has been the desire that he place his feet once in my hermitage. Go! Bring Shri Rama and Lakshmana with his wife respectfully within the hermitage near me. Why have you not brought them till now?”

When the dharma-knowing great sage Agastya said this, the disciple, joining his hands, bowed to him and said, “Very well, I shall bring them at once.” After this, the disciple left the hermitage, quickly came to Lakshmana, and said, “Shri Ramachandra should himself enter the hermitage and proceed to behold the sage.” Then Lakshmana, going to the hermitage gate with the disciple, showed him Shri Ramachandra and Janaki, daughter of Janaka. The disciple, with great humility, repeated there the words spoken by the great sage Agastya, and, honoring Shri Ramachandra—who was worthy of reverence—according to proper rite and in every way, brought him into the hermitage.

At that time, Shri Rama entered the hermitage with Lakshmana and Sita. The hermitage was filled with gentle, peaceful deer. Beholding the beauty of the hermitage, they saw there the place of Brahma and the place of Agni. Then, in order, they inspected the separate shrines of Bhagavan Vishnu, Mahendra, Surya, Chandra, Bhaga, Kubera, Dhata, Vidhata, Vayu, Pashupati the great-souled, Varuna, Gayatri, the Vasus, the serpent-king Ananta, Garuda, Kartikeya, and Dharmaraja.

Just then, the eminent sage Agastya, surrounded by disciples, came out of the fire-hall. The hero Shri Rama, seeing the blazing, radiant Agastya coming forward ahead of the other sages, said thus to Lakshmana, who enhanced his splendor: “Lakshmana, Bhagavan Agastya is coming out of the hermitage. He is rich in penance. From the special radiance like the sun I know that this is Agastya.” Speaking thus about the sun-bright great sage Agastya, the mighty-armed descendant of Raghu, seeing that lord among sages coming from the front, grasped both his feet—those in which yogis’ minds delight and which grant joy to devotees. The righteous Shri Rama then, with obedient maiden Sita and with Lakshmana, bowed at the sage’s feet and stood with joined hands.

The great sage pressed Bhagavan Shri Rama to his heart and, giving seat, water, and arghya, honored him as a guest; then, asking after his welfare, bade him be seated. Agastya first offered oblations into the fire; then, according to the rule of the forest-dweller’s dharma, he gave arghya, worshiped the guests well, and provided them food. The sage, knower of dharma, first sat himself; then Shri Ramachandra, knower of dharma, sat upon the seat with joined hands. After that the sage said to him:

“O Kakutstha, a forest-dweller should first offer oblation to fire, then, giving arghya, worship the guest. The ascetic who acts contrary to this must, in the other world, eat the flesh of his own body like a false witness. You are king of all the worlds, a great chariot-warrior, a practitioner of dharma, and you have come to this hermitage as my honored guest. Therefore, you are venerable and worthy of worship to us.”

Saying this, the great sage Agastya worshiped Bhagavan Shri Rama with fruits, roots, flowers, and other requisites as desired. Thereafter Agastya spoke thus to him:

“O lion among men, this great divine bow was made by Vishvakarma. It is inlaid with gold and diamonds; it was given by Bhagavan Vishnu. And this unfailing, excellent arrow, shining like the sun, was given by Brahma. Besides these, Indra has given these two quivers which are always full of sharp arrows blazing like fire and never become empty. Along with these is this sword, whose hilt is set with gold, and its scabbard too is made of gold. Shri Rama, formerly Bhagavan Vishnu, with this bow, destroyed great Asuras in battle and restored to the gods their blazing fortune. Therefore, accept this bow, these two quivers, these arrows, and this sword to gain victory over the demons—just as the wielder of the thunderbolt, Indra, takes up the vajra.”

Having said so, the great-splendored Agastya handed all those excellent weapons to Shri Ramachandra.