Shloka 3.11.64
पञ्चाप्सरो-सरः कथनम् तथा अगस्त्याश्रममार्गनिर्देशः (Panchapsara Lake Account and Directions to Agastya)
स तं तथा भाषमाणं भ्रातरं विप्रघातिनम्।।।।अब्रवीत्प्रहसन्धीमानगस्त्यो मुनिसत्तमः।
sa taṃ tathā bhāṣamāṇaṃ bhrātaraṃ vipraghātinam | abravīt prahasan dhīmān agastyo munisattamaḥ || 3.11.64 ||
As Ilvala spoke in that way—the slayer of brahmins—Agastya, wise and foremost among sages, laughed and replied.
Wise Agastya, the best among the ascetics, laughing aloud, said to Ilvala, the destroyer of brahmins:
Dharma is defended not only by force but by spiritual authority grounded in truth; the sage’s calm laughter signals mastery over fear and over deceit.
Ilvala attempts to trigger the deadly trick; the narration pivots to Agastya’s response, introducing his decisive reply.
Dhairya (steadiness) and jñāna (discernment): Agastya remains unshaken and sees through the adharma at once.