---
title: "Aranya Kanda, Sarga 11"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana/aranya-kanda/sarga-11"
lang: "en"
---

# Aranya Kanda, Sarga 11

> अग्रतः प्रययौ रामः सीता मध्ये सुशोभना।  
> पृष्ठतस्तु धनुष्पाणिर्लक्ष्मणोऽनुजगाम ह॥ १॥

Rāma walked in the van, the most beautiful Sītā in the middle, and in the rear followed Lakṣmaṇa, bow in hand. (1)

> तौ पश्यमानौ विविधान् शैलप्रस्थान् वनानि च।  
> नदीश्च विविधा रम्या जग्मतुः सह सीतया॥ २॥

They two, together with Sītā, went on seeing several mountain-peaks and forests, and several charming rivers. (2)

> सारसांश्चक्रवाकांश्च नदीपुलिनचारिणः।  
> सरांसि च सपद्मानि युतानि जलजैः खगैः॥ ३॥  
> यूथबद्धांश्च पृषतान् मदोन्मत्तान् विषाणिनः।  
> महिषांश्च वराहांश्च गजांश्च द्रुमवैरिणः॥ ४॥

They further saw cranes and Cakravāka birds moving on river banks, lakes with lotuses and aquatic birds, spotted deer moving in herds, horned buffaloes in rut, boars and elephants, the destroyers of trees. (3-4)

> ते गत्वा दूरमध्वानं लम्बमाने दिवाकरे।  
> ददृशुः सहिता रम्यं तटाकं योजनायुतम्॥ ५॥  
> पद्मपुष्करसम्बाधं गजयूथैरलंकृतम्।  
> सारसैर्हंसकादम्बैः संकुलं जलजातिभिः॥ ६॥

Covering a long distance, they sighted together, while the sun was going down, a beautiful lake with an area of a square Yojana, full of red and white lotuses, adorned with herds of elephants and crowded with cranes, flocks of swans and other aquatic creatures. (5-6)

> प्रसन्नसलिले रम्ये तस्मिन् सरसि शुश्रुवे।  
> गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषो न तु कश्चन दृश्यते॥ ७॥

In that beautiful lake of clear water the sound of singing and musical instruments was heard, but nobody was to be seen. (7)

> ततः कौतूहलाद् रामो लक्ष्मणश्च महारथः।  
> मुनिं धर्मभृतं नाम प्रष्टुं समुपचक्रमे॥ ८॥

Then, out of curiosity Śrī Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, the great car-warrior, proceeded to ask the sage named Dharmabhṛt, who accompanied them : (8)

> इदमत्यद्भुतं श्रुत्वा सर्वेषां नो महामुने।  
> कौतूहलं महज्जातं किमिदं साधु कथ्यताम्॥ ९॥

“O great sage, hearing this most wonderful sound we are all seized with great curiosity. What is this? Pray, tell us in detail about it.” (9)

> तेनैवमुक्तो धर्मात्मा राघवेण मुनिस्तदा।  
> प्रभावं सरसः क्षिप्रमाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे॥ १०॥

Thus addressed by Rāghava, the righteous sage forthwith started speaking about the greatness of the lake : (10)

> इदं पञ्चाप्सरो नाम तटाकं सार्वकालिकम्।  
> निर्मितं तपसा राम मुनिना माण्डकर्णिना॥ ११॥

“This is a lake named Pañcāpsara, ever full of water and created by Sage Māṇḍakarṇi by dint of his ascetic power, O Rāma ! (11)

> स हि तेपे तपस्तीव्रं माण्डकर्णिर्महामुनिः।  
> दशवर्षसहस्राणि वायुभक्षो जलाशये॥ १२॥

“That great Sage Māṇḍakarṇi performed severe austerities in the lake living on air alone for ten thousand years. (12)

> ततः प्रव्यथिताः सर्वे देवाः साग्निपुरोगमाः।  
> अब्रुवन् वचनं सर्वे परस्परसमागताः॥ १३॥

“Thereupon getting disquieted, all the gods, with the god of fire at the head, gathered together and all of them spoke as follows : (13)

> अस्माकं कस्यचित् स्थानमेष प्रार्थयते मुनिः।  
> इति संविग्नमनसः सर्वे तत्र दिवौकसः॥ १४॥

“ ‘This sage is seeking the state of some one among us.’ Thus all the denizens of heaven felt disturbed in mind. (14)

> ततः कर्तुं तपोविघ्नं सर्वदेवैर्नियोजिताः।  
> प्रधानाप्सरसः पञ्च विद्युच्चलितवर्चसः॥ १५॥

“Then, for causing interruption in his austerities, all the gods appointed five principal nymphs with bodies flashing like lightning. (15)

> अप्सरोभिस्ततस्ताभिर्मुनिर्दृष्टपरावरः।  
> नीतो मदनवश्यत्वं देवानां कार्यसिद्धये॥ १६॥

“Now that sage, who had seen what is wholesome or otherwise in this world as well as in the other, was captured with love by those nymphs for accomplishing the work of gods. (16)

> ताश्चैवाप्सरसः पञ्च मुनेः पत्नीत्वमागताः।  
> तटाके निर्मितं तासां तस्मिन्नन्तर्हितं गृहम्॥ १७॥

“The same five nymphs have become the wives of the sage. In the lake has been built a secret house for them. (17)

> तत्रैवाप्सरसः पञ्च निवसन्त्यो यथासुखम्।  
> रमयन्ति तपोयोगान्मुनिं यौवनमास्थितम्॥ १८॥

“Dwelling happily in that very house, the five nymphs delight the sage, who has regained his youth, by virtue of his austerities. (18)

> तासां संक्रीडमानानामेष वादित्रनिःस्वनः।  
> श्रूयते भूषणोन्मिश्रो गीतशब्दो मनोहरः॥ १९॥

“This is the sound of the musical instruments and the charming song of the nymphs sung while they are playing, mixed with the tinkling of ornaments, that is the sound being heard.” (19)

> आश्चर्यमिति तस्यैतद् वचनं भावितात्मनः।  
> राघवः प्रतिजग्राह सह भ्रात्रा महायशाः॥ २०॥

Rāghava of great renown together with his brother accepted the report of the pure-minded sage as a piece of wonder. (20)

> एवं कथयमानः स ददर्शाश्रममण्डलम्।  
> कुशचीरपरिक्षिप्तं ब्राह्म्या लक्ष्म्या समावृतम्॥ २१॥

While speaking thus, he saw a group of hermitages enveloped in Brahmic grandeur with Kuśa grass and bark garments spread round about. (21)

> प्रविश्य सह वैदेह्या लक्ष्मणेन च राघवः।  
> तदा तस्मिन् स काकुत्स्थः श्रीमत्याश्रममण्डले॥ २२॥  
> उषित्वा स सुखं तत्र पूज्यमानो महर्षिभिः।  
> जगाम चाश्रमांस्तेषां पर्यायेण तपस्विनाम्॥ २३॥  
> येषामुषितवान् पूर्वं सकाशे स महास्त्रवित्।  
> क्वचित् परिदशान् मासानेकसंवत्सरं क्वचित्॥ २४॥  
> क्वचिच्च चतुरो मासान् पञ्च षट् च परान् क्वचित्।  
> अपरत्राधिकान् मासानध्यर्धमधिकं क्वचित्॥ २५॥  
> त्रीन् मासानष्टमासांश्च राघवो न्यवसत् सुखम्।  
> तत्र संवसतस्तस्य मुनीनामाश्रमेषु वै॥ २६॥  
> रमतश्चानुकूल्येन ययुः संवत्सरा दश।  
> परिसृत्य च धर्मज्ञो राघवः सह सीतया॥ २७॥  
> सुतीक्ष्णस्याश्रमपदं पुनरेवाजगाम ह।  
> स तमाश्रममागम्य मुनिभिः परिपूजितः॥ २८॥  
> तत्रापि न्यवसद् रामः किंचित् कालमरिंदमः।  
> अथाश्रमस्थो विनयात् कदाचित् तं महामुनिम्॥ २९॥  
> उपासीनः स काकुत्स्थः सुतीक्ष्णमिदमब्रवीत्।  
> अस्मिन्नरण्ये भगवन्नगस्त्यो मुनिसत्तमः॥ ३०॥

Rāghava together with Vaidehī and Lakṣmaṇa then entered that beautiful group of hermitages and staying there happily, being honoured by great sages, that descendant of Kakutstha visited one by one the hermitages of those sages with whom that knower of great weapons had previously stayed. Rāghava happily stayed somewhere for ten months, somewhere for a year, somewhere for four months, somewhere five, six and (even) more, elsewhere for more months, somewhere half a month more and in other hermitages for eight and three months. While he was thus staying in the hermitages of the sages and passing time happily and comfortably, ten years passed. Having thus wandered, Rāghava, the knower of Dharma, together with Sītā came again, they say, to the site of Sutīkṣṇa’s hermitage. Coming to that hermitage, and honoured by the sages, the said Rāma, the vanquisher of foes, stayed there also for some time. Then, while sitting in the hermitage modestly beside the great sage, the said Kākutstha on one occasion spoke as follows to Sutīkṣṇa: “Sir, I have heard from those talking among themselves that Agastya, the foremost of sages, permanently dwells in this forest. However, due to the vastness of this forest, I do not know that place. (22—30)

> वसतीति मया नित्यं कथाः कथयतां श्रुतम्।  
> न तु जानामि तं देशं वनस्यास्य महत्तया॥ ३१॥  
> कुत्राश्रमपदं रम्यं महर्षेस्तस्य धीमतः।  
> प्रसादार्थं भगवतः सानुजः सह सीतया॥ ३२॥  
> अगस्त्यमधिगच्छेयमभिवादयितुं मुनिम्।  
> मनोरथो महानेष हृदि सम्परिवर्तते॥ ३३॥  
> यदहं तं मुनिवरं शुश्रूषेयमपि स्वयम्।  
> इति रामस्य स मुनिः श्रुत्वा धर्मात्मनो वचः॥ ३४॥  
> सुतीक्ष्णः प्रत्युवाचेदं प्रीतो दशरथात्मजम्।  
> अहमप्येतदेव त्वां वक्तुकामः सलक्ष्मणम्॥ ३५॥  
> अगस्त्यमभिगच्छेति सीतया सह राघव।  
> दिष्ट्या त्विदानीमर्थेऽस्मिन् स्वयमेव ब्रवीषि माम्॥ ३६॥

“Where is the lovely site of the hermitage of that wise and eminent sage? There exists a great desire in my heart that I should get an opportunity to pay my obeisance to Sage Agastya alongwith my younger brother and Sītā for obtaining his grace, so that I may personally do some service also to that great sage.” Pleased to hear this submission of the righteous Rāma, the aforesaid Sage Sutīkṣṇa replied as follows to the son of Daśaratha: “I too wanted to tell you as well as Lakṣmaṇa the same thing, viz., that you should go to Agastya with Sītā, O Rāghava! It is good that you are speaking to me about it yourself. (31—36)

> अयमाख्यामि ते राम यत्रागस्त्यो महामुनिः।  
> योजनान्याश्रमात् तात याहि चत्वारि वै ततः।  
> दक्षिणेन महान् श्रीमानगस्त्यभ्रातुराश्रमः॥ ३७॥  
> स्थलीप्रायवनोद्देशे पिप्पलीवनशोभिते।  
> बहुपुष्पफले रम्ये नानाविहगनादिते॥ ३८॥

“I am just telling you, O Rāma, where the great Sage Agastya lives. Proceed, O dear son, southward to a distance of four Yojanas from this hermitage; there lies in a well-nigh flat portion of the forest the great and grand hermitage of Agastya’s brother, adorned with a grove of Pippalī (long pepper) trees, nay, having many flowers and fruits, and charming and resonant with the chirping of various birds. (37-38)

> पद्मिन्यो विविधास्तत्र प्रसन्नसलिलाशयाः।  
> हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णाश्चक्रवाकोपशोभिताः ॥ ३९॥

“There are several lotus-ponds and lakes with limpid water, crowded with swans and Kāraṇḍavas and adorned with Cakravāka birds. (39)

> तत्रैकां रजनीं व्युष्य प्रभाते राम गम्यताम्।  
> दक्षिणां दिशमास्थाय वनखण्डस्य पार्श्वतः॥ ४०॥

“Staying there for a night, Rāma, you may proceed in the morning in a southerly direction along side the grove. (40)

> तत्रागस्त्याश्रमपदं गत्वा योजनमन्तरम्।  
> रमणीये वनोद्देशे बहुपादपशोभिते॥ ४१॥

“Covering a distance of eight miles you will reach the site of Agastya’s hermitage in a delightful part of the forest, adorned with many trees. (41)

> रंस्यते तत्र वैदेही लक्ष्मणश्च त्वया सह।  
> स हि रम्यो वनोद्देशो बहुपादपसंयुतः॥ ४२॥

“There Vaidehī and Lakṣmaṇa will dwell happily with you. For, that is a charming part of the forest with many trees. (42)

> यदि बुद्धिः कृता द्रष्टुमगस्त्यं तं महामुनिम्।  
> अद्यैव गमने बुद्धिं रोचयस्व महामते॥ ४३॥

“If you have made up your mind to see that great sage, Agastya, O highly intelligent prince, decide to proceed this very day.” (43)

> इति रामो मुनेः श्रुत्वा सह भ्रात्राभिवाद्य च।  
> प्रतस्थेऽगस्त्यमुद्दिश्य सानुगः सह सीतया॥ ४४॥

Hearing thus the sage’s words and saluting him with his brother, Rāma set out with Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā to meet Agastya. (44)

> पश्यन् वनानि चित्राणि पर्वतांश्चाभ्रसंनिभान्।  
> सरांसि सरितश्चैव पथि मार्गवशानुगान्॥ ४५॥  
> सुतीक्ष्णेनोपदिष्टेन गत्वा तेन पथा सुखम्।  
> इदं परमसंहृष्टो वाक्यं लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्॥ ४६॥

Seeing varied forests and cloud-like mountains, lakes and rivers on the way, he proceeded happily along the path directed by Sutīkṣṇa and, being supremely delighted, he spoke as follows to Lakṣmaṇa : (45-46)

> एतदेवाश्रमपदं नूनं तस्य महात्मनः।  
> अगस्त्यस्य मुनेर्भ्रातुर्दृश्यते पुण्यकर्मणः॥ ४७॥

“Indeed this very place appears to be the site of the hermitage of that high-souled brother of Sage Agastya of holy deeds. (47)

> यथा हीमे वनस्यास्य ज्ञाताः पथि सहस्रशः।  
> संनताः फलभारेण पुष्पभारेण च द्रुमाः॥ ४८॥

“As was pointed out by Sutīkṣṇa, these thousands of trees of this forest are seen in the way bent down with their load of fruits and the mass of flowers. (48)

> पिप्पलीनां च पक्वानां वनादस्मादुपागतः।  
> गन्धोऽयं पवनोत्क्षिप्तः सहसा कटुकोदयः॥ ४९॥

“This scent of the ripe Pippalī fruits wafted by the breeze and coming from this forest is suddenly giving rise to a pungent taste. (49)

> तत्र तत्र च दृश्यन्ते संक्षिप्ताः काष्ठसंचयाः।  
> लूनाश्च परिदृश्यन्ते दर्भा वैदूर्यवर्चसः॥ ५०॥

“Here and there are seen collected heaps of wood and blades of Darbha grass, having the lustre of Vaidūrya (a cat’s-eye gem) are seen cut. (50)

> एतच्च वनमध्यस्थं कृष्णाभ्रशिखरोपमम्।  
> पावकस्याश्रमस्थस्य धूमाग्रं सम्प्रदृश्यते॥ ५१॥

“And here in the middle of the forest is vividly seen a column of smoke from the fire in the hermitage, looking like the top of a dark cloud. (51)

> विविक्तेषु च तीर्थेषु कृतस्नाना द्विजातयः।  
> पुष्पोपहारं कुर्वन्ति कुसुमैः स्वयमर्जितैः॥ ५२॥

“Having had their bath in the holy waters, the Brāhmaṇas are giving offerings (to the gods) with the flowers collected by themselves. (52)

> ततः सुतीक्ष्णवचनं यथा सौम्य मया श्रुतम्।  
> अगस्त्यस्याश्रमो भ्रातुर्नूनमेष भविष्यति॥ ५३॥  
> निगृह्य तरसा मृत्युं लोकानां हितकाम्यया।  
> यस्य भ्रात्रा कृतेयं दिक्शरण्या पुण्यकर्मणा॥ ५४॥

“Hence, O gentle Lakṣmaṇa, according to the description of Sutīkṣṇa heard by me, surely this must be the hermitage of the brother of Agastya, by whose brother Agastya of holy deeds, with intent to do good to the people and controlling by his spiritual might death (in the form of the ogres Vātāpi and Ilvala), this (southern) quarter has been made habitable. (53-54)

> इहैकदा किल क्रूरो वातापिरपि चेल्वलः।  
> भ्रातरौ सहितावास्तां ब्राह्मणघ्नौ महासुरौ॥ ५५॥

“Once, they say, here dwelt together two brothers—great ogres and killers of Brāhmaṇas—Vātāpi and also Ilvala. (55)

> धारयन् ब्राह्मणं रूपमिल्वलः संस्कृतं वदन्।  
> आमन्त्रयति विप्रान् स श्राद्धमुद्दिश्य निर्घृणः॥ ५६॥

“Assuming the form of a Brāhmaṇa and speaking Sanskrit, that merciless Ilvala used to invite Brāhmaṇas for the sake of Śrāddha. (56)

> भ्रातरं संस्कृतं कृत्वा ततस्तं मेषरूपिणम्।  
> तान् द्विजान् भोजयामास श्राद्धदृष्टेन कर्मणा॥ ५७॥

“Thereupon, cooking that brother of his, who used to take the form of a ram, he used to feed those Brāhmaṇas according to the injunctions laid down for Śrāddha. (57)

> ततो भुक्तवतां तेषां विप्राणामिल्वलोऽब्रवीत्।  
> वातापे निष्क्रमस्वेति स्वरेण महता वदन्॥ ५८॥

“Then, after those Brāhmaṇas had finished the dinner, llvala used to call out in a loud voice, “O Vātāpi, come out !” (58)

> ततो भ्रातुर्वचः श्रुत्वा वातापिर्मेषवन्नदन्।  
> भित्त्वा भित्त्वा शरीराणि ब्राह्मणानां विनिष्पतत्॥ ५९॥

“Now, hearing the voice of his brother, Vātāpi used to come out tearing the bodies of the Brāhmaṇas and bleating like a ram. (59)

> ब्राह्मणानां सहस्राणि तैरेवं कामरूपिभिः।  
> विनाशितानि संहत्य नित्यशः पिशिताशनैः॥ ६०॥

“Thus thousands of Brāhmaṇas were killed by those flesh-eaters always coming together and assuming forms at will. (60)

> अगस्त्येन तदा देवैः प्रार्थितेन महर्षिणा।  
> अनुभूय किल श्राद्धे भक्षितः स महासुरः॥ ६१॥

“That time, they say, that great ogre was eaten up with taste by the great sage Agastya as requested by gods. (61)

> ततः सम्पन्नमित्युक्त्वा दत्त्वा हस्तेऽवनेजनम्।  
> भ्रातरं निष्क्रमस्वेति चेल्वलः समभाषत॥ ६२॥

“Thereupon, saying ‘It is finished’ and offering water for washing the hands, Ilvala cried out to the brother : ‘Come out !’ (62)

> स तदा भाषमाणं तु भ्रातरं विप्रघातिनम्।  
> अब्रवीत् प्रहसन् धीमानगस्त्यो मुनिसत्तमः॥ ६३॥

“Then, while he was addressing these words to his brother, the killer of Brāhmaṇas, that jewel among sages, the intelligent Agastya said laughingly : (63)

> कुतो निष्क्रमितुं शक्तिर्मया जीर्णस्य रक्षसः।  
> भ्रातुस्तु मेषरूपस्य गतस्य यमसादनम्॥ ६४॥

‘Where is the power to come out left in the ogre, your brother in the form of a ram, who stands digested by me and is gone to the abode of Yama?’ (64)

> अथ तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा भ्रातुर्निधनसंश्रितम्।  
> प्रधर्षयितुमारेभे मुनिं क्रोधान्निशाचरः॥ ६५॥

“Thereupon, hearing his words declaring the death of his brother; the night-wanderer started assailing the sage in anger. (65)

> सोऽभ्यद्रवद् द्विजेन्द्रं तं मुनिना दीप्ततेजसा।  
> चक्षुषानलकल्पेन निर्दग्धो निधनं गतः॥ ६६॥

“He attacked the Indra amongst the Brāhmaṇas and, being burnt with his fire-like glance by that sage of blazing lustre, he died. (66)

> तस्यायमाश्रमो भ्रातुस्तटाकवनशोभितः।  
> विप्रानुकम्पया येन कर्मेदं दुष्करं कृतम्॥ ६७॥

“This is the hermitage—beautified by lakes and forest—of the brother of that sage who did this difficult deed out of pity for the Brāhmaṇas.” (67)

> एवं कथयमानस्य तस्य सौमित्रिणा सह।  
> रामस्यास्तं गतः सूर्यः संध्याकालोऽभ्यवर्तत॥ ६८॥

While the celebrated Rāma was thus talking to the son of Sumitrā, the sun set and the time of evening devotions arrived. (68)

> उपास्य पश्चिमां संध्यां सह भ्रात्रा यथाविधि।  
> प्रविवेशाश्रमपदं तमृषिं चाभ्यवादयत्॥ ६९॥

Having performed his evening devotions according to scriptural ordinance together with his younger brother, he entered the site of the hermitage and greeted that sage. (69)

> सम्यक्प्रतिगृहीतस्तु मुनिना तेन राघवः।  
> न्यवसत् तां निशामेकां प्राश्य मूलफलानि च॥ ७०॥

Warmly received by the said sage, Rāghava stayed there that one night taking roots and fruits alone. (70)

> तस्यां रात्र्यां व्यतीतायामुदिते रविमण्डले।  
> भ्रातरं तमगस्त्यस्य आमन्त्रयत राघवः॥ ७१॥

When the night had passed, Rāghava at sunrise took leave of that brother of Agastya with the following words : (71)

> अभिवादये त्वां भगवन् सुखमस्म्युषितो निशाम्।  
> आमन्त्रये त्वां गच्छामि गुरुं ते द्रष्टुमग्रजम्॥ ७२॥

“I pay obeisance to you, sir; I have stayed happily for the night. I take leave of you. I am going to see your revered elder brother.” (72)

> गम्यतामिति तेनोक्तो जगाम रघुनन्दनः।  
> यथोद्दिष्टेन मार्गेण वनं तच्चावलोकयन्॥ ७३॥

Spoken to by him in the words ‘You may go’, the delight of Raghu left along the path pointed out to him, seeing that forest. (73)

> नीवारान् पनसान् सालान् वञ्जुलांस्तिनिशांस्तथा।  
> चिरिबिल्वान् मधूकांश्च बिल्वानथ च तिन्दुकान्॥ ७४॥  
> पुष्पितान् पुष्पिताग्राभिर्लताभिरुपशोभितान्।  
> ददर्श रामः शतशस्तत्र कान्तारपादपान्॥ ७५॥  
> हस्तिहस्तैर्विमृदितान् वानरैरुपशोभितान्।  
> मत्तैः शकुनिसङ्घैश्च शतशः प्रतिनादितान्॥ ७६॥

Rāma saw there hundreds of forest trees—Nīvāra, Panasa, sāl and Vañjula, Tiniśa, Ciribilva, and Madhūka, Bilva and Tinduka too in flower and beautified by blossoming climbers, damaged by the trunks of elephants, adorned by monkeys and made resonant by the noise of flocks of birds in heat. (74—76)

> ततोऽब्रवीत् समीपस्थं रामो राजीवलोचनः।  
> पृष्ठतोऽनुगतं वीरं लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मिवर्धनम्॥ ७७॥

Then the lotus-eyed Rāma said to the heroic Lakṣmaṇa, who was closely following behind him and added to his glory : (77)

> स्निग्धपत्रा यथा वृक्षा यथा क्षान्ता मृगद्विजाः।  
> आश्रमो नातिदूरस्थो महर्षेर्भावितात्मनः॥ ७८॥

“As (can be seen from the fact that) the trees are clothed with glossy leaves and the animals and birds are docile, the hermitage of that pure-souled great sage is not far. (78)

> अगस्त्य इति विख्यातो लोके स्वेनैव कर्मणा।  
> आश्रमो दृश्यते तस्य परिश्रान्तश्रमापहः॥ ७९॥  
> प्राज्यधूमाकुलवनश्चीरमालापरिष्कृतः।  
> प्रशान्तमृगयूथश्च नानाशकुनिनादितः॥ ८०॥

“The hermitage, relieving the fatigue of the tired, of him who has become famous in the world as Agastya by his own deed, is seen filling the forest with the smoke rising from oblations thrown into the sacred fire, adorned with bark-garments and garlands, containing very peaceful herds of deer and resounding with the cries of various birds. (79-80)

> निगृह्य तरसा मृत्युं लोकानां हितकाम्यया।  
> दक्षिणा दिक् कृता येन शरण्या पुण्यकर्मणा॥ ८१॥  
> तस्येदमाश्रमपदं प्रभावाद् यस्य राक्षसैः।  
> दिगियं दक्षिणा त्रासाद् दृश्यते नोपभुज्यते॥ ८२॥

“This is the site of the hermitage of him who, having by his might controlled death and performing holy deeds, made the southern quarter habitable with intent to do good to the people, and through whose spiritual force this southern quarter is looked on with alarm by the ogres, and not enjoyed. (81-82)

> यदाप्रभृति चाक्रान्ता दिगियं पुण्यकर्मणा।  
> तदाप्रभृति निर्वैराः प्रशान्ता रजनीचराः॥ ८३॥

“No sooner had this quarter been set foot on by this sage of holy deeds than the night-wanderers became extremely quiet and free from enmity. (83)

> नाम्ना चेयं भगवतो दक्षिणा दिक्प्रदक्षिणा।  
> प्रथिता त्रिषु लोकेषु दुर्धर्षा क्रूरकर्मभिः॥ ८४॥

“This southern quarter has become well-known by the name of the revered sage as most safe and unassailable by people of cruel deeds. (84)

> मार्गं निरोद्धुं सततं भास्करस्याचलोत्तमः।  
> संदेशं पालयंस्तस्य विन्ध्यशैलो न वर्धते॥ ८५॥

“Constantly obeying his command, the Vindhya mountain, the foremost of mountains, is not growing up to obstruct the path of the sun. (85)

> अयं दीर्घायुषस्तस्य लोके विश्रुतकर्मणः।  
> अगस्त्यस्याश्रमः श्रीमान् विनीतमृगसेवितः॥ ८६॥

“This is the beautiful hermitage, the resort of tame animals, of that long-lived Agastya whose deeds are well-known in the world. (86)

> एष लोकार्चितः साधुर्हिते नित्यं रतः सताम्।  
> अस्मानधिगतानेष श्रेयसा योजयिष्यति॥ ८७॥

“He is a saint adored by the people and always devoted to the good of the virtuous. He will endow us, who have come to him, with blessings. (87)

> आराधयिष्याम्यत्राहमगस्त्यं तं महामुनिम्।  
> शेषं च वनवासस्य सौम्य वत्स्याम्यहं प्रभो॥ ८८॥

“Here I shall adore that great sage, Agastya, and stay for the rest of my period of exile in the forest, O gentle and powerful prince ! (88)

> अत्र देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः।  
> अगस्त्यं नियताहाराः सततं पर्युपासते॥ ८९॥

“Here gods and Gandharvas, Siddhas and the greatest sages always wait upon Agastya, living on a restricted diet. (89)

> नात्र जीवेन्मृषावादी क्रूरो वा यदि वा शठः।  
> नृशंसः पापवृत्तो वा मुनिरेष तथाविधः॥ ९०॥

“This sage is such that a liar, or a cruel man, a knave, a wicked person or a sinner cannot live here. (90)

> अत्र देवाश्च यक्षाश्च नागाश्च पतगैः सह।  
> वसन्ति नियताहारा धर्ममाराधयिष्णवः॥ ९१॥

“Seeking to observe piety, gods as well as Yakṣas and Nāgas together with birds abide here with their diet controlled.(91)

> अत्र सिद्धा महात्मानो विमानैः सूर्यसंनिभैः।  
> त्यक्त्वा देहान् नवैर्देहैः स्वर्याताः परमर्षयः॥ ९२॥

“Here exalted and realized souls and greatest sages endowed with new bodies have ascended to heaven in aerial cars bright as the sun, giving up their (worn-out) bodies. (92)

> यक्षत्वममरत्वं च राज्यानि विविधानि च।  
> अत्र देवाः प्रयच्छन्ति भूतैराराधिताः शुभैः॥ ९३॥

“Adored by good people, gods confer Yakṣahood, divinity and different kingdoms on their worshippers here. (93)

> आगताः स्माश्रमपदं सौमित्रे प्रविशाग्रतः।  
> निवेदयेह मां प्राप्तमृषये सह सीतया॥ ९४॥

“O son of Sumitrā we have reached the site of the hermitage. Go ahead and tell the sage that I have come here with Sītā.” (94)

Book: https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana

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