अगस्त्याश्रमप्रवेशः तथा दिव्यायुधप्रदानम् (Entry into Agastya’s Hermitage and the Gift of Divine Weapons)
आरण्यकाण्ड
Lakṣmaṇa enters Agastya’s āśrama precinct and addresses Agastya’s disciple, identifying himself and requesting audience for Rāma, Sītā, and himself as forest-dwellers by paternal command. The disciple reports to the sage; Agastya expresses long-held anticipation of Rāma’s arrival and orders prompt hospitality. Rāma is ushered in, observing the hermitage’s sacral topography—altars/places associated with multiple deities—signaling an integrated ritual cosmos within the ascetic settlement. Agastya emerges with disciples; Rāma recognizes him as a treasury of tapas, performs respectful prostration, and stands with folded palms along with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa. Agastya receives them with seat and water, feeds them according to vānaprastha norms, and articulates atithi-dharma: offerings to fire and proper honoring of guests are mandatory, with moral consequences for neglect. He then bestows a Vaiṣṇava bow crafted by Viśvakarman, an unfailing arrow given by Brahmā, two quivers of inexhaustible arrows and a sword with sheath given by Indra—framing weaponry as dharmically authorized instruments for protection in the forest.
Verse 3.12.1
सप्रविश्याऽश्रमपदं लक्ष्मणो राघवानुजः।अगस्त्यशिष्यमासाद्य वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह।।।।
Lakṣmaṇa, the younger brother of Rāma, entered the hermitage-ground and, meeting a disciple of Agastya, spoke these words.
Verse 3.12.2
राजा दशरथो नाम ज्येष्ठस्तस्य सुतो बली।रामः प्राप्तो मुनिं द्रष्टुं भार्यया सह सीतया।।।।
In that hermitage he beheld the sacred stations of many deities—beginning with Brahmā and Agni and ending with the station of Dharma itself—revealing a place ordered by righteousness and made holy by consecration.
Verse 3.12.3
लक्ष्मणो नाम तस्याहं भ्राता त्ववरजो हितः।अनुकूलश्च भक्तश्च यदि ते श्रोत्रमागतः।।।।
I am his younger brother, named Lakṣmaṇa—his well-wisher, ever supportive and devoted—if indeed you have heard of me.
Verse 3.12.4
ते वयं वनमत्युग्रं प्रविष्टाः पितृशासनात्।द्रष्टुमिच्छामहे सर्वे भगवन्तं निवेद्यताम्।।।।
Having spoken thus, the radiant lord Agastya bestowed upon Rāma all those excellent weapons, and then spoke again.
Verse 3.12.5
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा लक्ष्मणस्य तपोधनः।तथेत्युक्त्वाऽग्निशरणं प्रविवेश निवेदितुम्।।।।
Hearing Lakṣmaṇa’s words, the ascetic—rich in the treasure of austerity—replied, “So be it,” and entered the fire-sanctuary to deliver the message.
Verse 3.12.6
स प्रविश्य मुनिश्रेष्ठं तपसा दुष्प्रधर्षणम्।कृताञ्जलिरुवाचेदं रामागमनमञ्जसा।।।।यथोक्तं लक्ष्मणेनैव शिष्योऽगस्त्यस्य सम्मतः।
Entering promptly, Agastya’s favored disciple—hands folded in reverence—reported to the foremost sage, unassailable through the power of austerity, the arrival of Rāma, exactly as Lakṣmaṇa had said.
Verse 3.12.7
पुत्रौ दशरथस्येमौ रामो लक्ष्मण एव च।।।।प्रविष्टावाश्रमपदं सीतया सह भार्यया।
These two sons of Daśaratha—Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa—have entered the hermitage grounds, accompanied by Sītā, Rāma’s wife.
Verse 3.12.8
द्रष्टुं भवन्तमायातौ शुश्रूषार्थमरिन्दमौ।।।।यदत्रानन्तरं तत्त्वमाज्ञापयितुमर्हसि।
Those two subduers of enemies have come to behold your venerable presence and to serve you; be pleased to command what should rightly be done next in this matter.
Verse 3.12.9
ततश्शिष्यादुपश्रुत्य प्राप्तं रामं सलक्ष्मणम्।।।।वैदेहीं च महाभागामिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।
Then, having heard from the disciple that Rāma had arrived with Lakṣmaṇa, and that the greatly fortunate Vaidehī (Sītā) was also present, the sage spoke these words.
Verse 3.12.10
दिष्ट्या रामश्चिरस्याद्य द्रष्टुं मां समुपागतः।।।।मनसा काङ्क्षितं ह्यस्य मयाप्यागमनं प्रति।
By good fortune, Rāma has come today—after a long time—to see me. Indeed, I too had been longing in my heart for his coming.
Verse 3.12.11
गम्यतां सत्कृतो रामस्सभार्यस्सहलक्ष्मणः।।।।प्रवेश्यतां समीपं मे किं चासौ न प्रवेशितः।
The valiant Rāma, eldest son of King Daśaratha, has arrived with his wife Sītā, seeking to behold the sage.
Verse 3.12.12
एवमुक्तस्तु मुनिना धर्मज्ञेन महात्मना।। ।।अभिवाद्याब्रवीच्छिष्यस्तथेति नियताञ्जलिः।
Go at once; receive Rāma with due honor—along with his wife and with Lakṣmaṇa—and usher him into my presence. Why has he not been brought in until now?
Verse 3.12.13
ततो निष्क्रम्य सम्भ्रान्तश्शिष्यो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्।।।।क्वासौ रामो मुनिं द्रष्टुमेतु प्रविशतु स्वयम्।
Thus instructed by the great sage—knower of dharma—the disciple bowed in reverence and replied with folded hands, “So be it.”
Verse 3.12.14
ततो गत्वाऽऽश्रमपदं शिष्येण सह लक्ष्मणः।। ।।दर्शयामास काकुत्स्थं सीतां च जनकात्मजाम्।
Then the disciple hurried out and said to Lakṣmaṇa, “Where is Rāma? Let him come to see the sage—let him enter in person.”
Verse 3.12.15
तं शिष्यः प्रश्रितो वाक्यमगस्त्यवचनं ब्रुवन्।।।।प्रावेशयद्यथान्यायं सत्कारार्हं सुसत्कृतम्।
Then Lakṣmaṇa, going with the disciple to the hermitage-grounds, pointed out Kakutstha Rāma and also Sītā, the daughter of Janaka.
Verse 3.12.16
प्रविवेश ततो रामस्सीतया सहलक्ष्मणः।।।।प्रशान्तहरिणाकीर्णमाश्रमं ह्यवलोकयन्।
Speaking Agastya’s message with humility, the disciple ushered him in according to proper custom, honoring him well—him who was worthy of such hospitality.
Verse 3.12.17
स तत्र ब्रह्मणः स्थानमग्नेः स्थानं तथैव च।।।।विष्णोः स्थानं महेन्द्रस्य स्थानं चैव विवस्वतः।सोमस्थानं भगस्थानं स्थानं कौबेरमेव च।।।।दातुर्विधातुः स्थानेच वायोः स्थानं तथैव च।नागराजस्य च स्थानमनन्तस्य महात्मनः।।।।स्थानं तथैव गायत्र्या वसूनां स्थानमेव च।स्थानं च पाशहस्तस्य वरुणस्य महात्मनः।।।।कार्तिकेयस्य च स्थानं धर्मस्थानं च पश्यति।
Then Rāma entered the hermitage with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, gazing upon the āśrama filled with calm, undisturbed deer.
Verse 3.12.18
स तत्र ब्रह्मणः स्थानमग्नेः स्थानं तथैव च।।3.12.17।। विष्णोः स्थानं महेन्द्रस्य स्थानं चैव विवस्वतः। सोमस्थानं भगस्थानं स्थानं कौबेरमेव च।।3.12.18।। धातुर्विधातुः स्थानं च वायोः स्थानं तथैव च। नागराजस्य च स्थानमनन्तस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.19।। स्थानं तथैव गायत्र्या वसूनां स्थानमेव च। स्थानं च पाशहस्तस्य वरुणस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.20।। कार्तिकेयस्य च स्थानं धर्मस्थानं च पश्यति।
There he beheld the consecrated places—Brahmā’s, Agni’s, Viṣṇu’s, Mahendra’s, and Vivasvat’s; the places of Soma, Bhaga, and Kubera; of Dhātṛ and Vidhātṛ, and of Vāyu; the place of the serpent-king Ananta, the great-souled; the place of Gāyatrī and of the Vasus; the place of Varuṇa, the great noose-bearer; and also the places of Kārtikeya and of Dharma.
Verse 3.12.19
स तत्र ब्रह्मणः स्थानमग्नेः स्थानं तथैव च।।3.12.17।। विष्णोः स्थानं महेन्द्रस्य स्थानं चैव विवस्वतः। सोमस्थानं भगस्थानं स्थानं कौबेरमेव च।।3.12.18।। दातुर्विधातुः स्थानेच वायोः स्थानं तथैव च। नागराजस्य च स्थानमनन्तस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.19।। स्थानं तथैव गायत्र्या वसूनां स्थानमेव च। स्थानं च पाशहस्तस्य वरुणस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.20।। कार्तिकेयस्य च स्थानं धर्मस्थानं च पश्यति।
There he beheld the consecrated stations of Brahmā and Agni; of Viṣṇu, Mahendra, and the Sun; of Soma, Bhaga, and Kubera; of Dhātṛ and Vidhātṛ, and of Vāyu; of Ananta, the great serpent-king; of Gāyatrī and the Vasus; of the great Varuṇa, bearer of the noose; and also the stations of Kārtikeya and of Dharma.
Verse 3.12.20
स तत्र ब्रह्मणः स्थानमग्नेः स्थानं तथैव च।।3.12.17।। विष्णोः स्थानं महेन्द्रस्य स्थानं चैव विवस्वतः। सोमस्थानं भगस्थानं स्थानं कौबेरमेव च।।3.12.18।। दातुर्विधातुः स्थानेच वायोः स्थानं तथैव च। नागराजस्य च स्थानमनन्तस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.19।। स्थानं तथैव गायत्र्या वसूनां स्थानमेव च। स्थानं च पाशहस्तस्य वरुणस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.20।। कार्तिकेयस्य च स्थानं धर्मस्थानं च पश्यति।
There Rāma also saw the sacred places dedicated to Gāyatrī and to the Vasus, and likewise the place of the great Varuṇa, bearer of the noose. He also saw the place of Kārttikeya and the very place set apart for Dharma.
Verse 3.12.21
ततश्शिष्यैः परिवृतो मुनिरप्यभिनिष्पतत्।।।।तं ददर्शाग्रतो रामो मुनीनां दीप्ततेजसाम्।
Then the sage came forth, surrounded by his disciples, and Rāma saw him approaching at the head of those ascetics whose splendor blazed with spiritual power.
Verse 3.12.22
अब्रवीद्वचनं वीरो लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मिवर्धनम्। ।।एष लक्ष्मण निष्क्रामत्यगस्त्यो भगवानृषिः।औदार्येणावगच्छामि निधानं तपसामिमम्।। ।।
The heroic Rāma said to Lakṣmaṇa, increaser of good fortune: “Look, Lakṣmaṇa—venerable Ṛṣi Agastya is coming out. From his noble bearing I recognize him as a true treasury of austerity (tapas).”
Verse 3.12.23
अब्रवीद्वचनं वीरो लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मिवर्धनम्। 3.12.22।। एष लक्ष्मण निष्क्रामत्यगस्त्यो भगवानृषिः। औदार्येणावगच्छामि निधानं तपसामिमम्।। 3.12.23।।
The heroic Rāma said to Lakṣmaṇa, increaser of fortune: “Look, Lakṣmaṇa—Agastya, the venerable sage, is coming forth. From his noble bearing I recognize him as a treasury of austerities (tapas).”
Verse 3.12.24
एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुरगस्त्यं सूर्यवर्चसम्।जग्राह परमप्रीतस्तस्य पादौ परन्तपः।।।।
Having spoken thus, mighty-armed Rāma—scorcher of foes—rejoicing greatly, reverently clasped the feet of Agastya, who shone with the splendor of the sun.
Verse 3.12.25
अभिवाद्य तु धर्मात्मा तस्थौ रामः कृताञ्जलिः।सीतया सह वैदेह्या तदा रामः सलक्ष्मणः।।।।
After offering salutations, righteous-souled Rāma stood with hands folded in añjali—together with Sītā of Videha, and with Lakṣmaṇa.
Verse 3.12.26
प्रतिजग्राह काकुत्स्थमर्चयित्वासनोदकैः।कुशलप्रश्नमुक्त्वा च आस्यतामिति चाब्रवीत्।। ।।
Agastya welcomed Rāma of the Kakutsthas, honoring him with a seat and water; after asking about his welfare, he said, “Please, be seated.”
Verse 3.12.27
अग्निं हुत्वा प्रदायार्घ्यमतिथीन् प्रतिपूज्य च।वानप्रस्थ्येन धर्मेण स तेषां भोजनं ददौ।। ।।
After offering oblations into the sacred fire and presenting the arghya, he duly honored the guests according to the forest-hermit’s dharma, and then provided them with food.
Verse 3.12.28
प्रथमं चोपविश्याथ धर्मज्ञो मुनिपुङ्गवः।उवाच राममासीनं प्राञ्जलिं धर्मकोविदम्।।।।
Then the foremost sage, learned in Dharma, first took his seat and spoke to Rāma—who sat with folded hands, well-versed in the ways of Dharma.
Verse 3.12.29
अग्निं हुत्वा प्रदायार्घ्यमतिथिं प्रतिपूजयेत्।अन्यथा खलु काकुत्स्थ तपस्वी समुदाचरन्।।।।दुःसाक्षीव परे लोके स्वानि मांसानि भक्षयेत्।
“Only after offering oblations into the fire and presenting the arghya should one honor a guest. Otherwise, O Kakutstha, a host—though an ascetic—who acts differently will, in the next world, like a false witness, have to eat his own flesh.”
Verse 3.12.30
राजा सर्वस्य लोकस्य धर्मचारी महारथः।।।।पूजनीयश्च मान्यश्च भवान् प्राप्तः प्रियातिथिः।
By our father’s command we have entered this most formidable forest; all of us wish to see the revered sage—please announce us to him.
Verse 3.12.31
एवमुक्त्वा फलैर्मूलैः पुष्पैरन्यैश्च राघवम्।। ।।पूजयित्वा यथाकामं पुनरेव ततोऽब्रवीत्।
You are the king of all the worlds, a follower of Dharma, a great chariot-warrior, worthy of worship and honor; you have come to me as a beloved guest.
Verse 3.12.32
इदं दिव्यं महच्चापं हेमरत्नविभूषितम्।।।।वैष्णवं पुरुषव्याघ्र निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा।अमोघस्सूर्यसङ्काशो ब्रह्मदत्तश्शरोत्तमः।।।।
Having spoken thus, he honored Rāghava with fruits, roots, flowers, and other offerings as desired; then afterward he addressed him again.
Verse 3.12.33
इदं दिव्यं महच्चापं हेमरत्नविभूषितम्।।3.12.32।। वैष्णवं पुरुषव्याघ्र निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा। अमोघस्सूर्यसङ्काशो ब्रह्मदत्तश्शरोत्तमः।।3.12.33।।
O tiger among men, here is a great divine bow adorned with gold and gems—Viṣṇu’s own, fashioned by Viśvakarman. And here is an excellent arrow, unfailing and radiant like the sun, bestowed by Brahmā.
Verse 3.12.34
दत्तौ मम महेन्द्रेण तूणी चाक्षयसायकौ।सम्पूर्णौ निशितैर्बाणैर्ज्वलद्भिरिव पावकैः।।।।महारजतकोशोऽयमसिर्हेमविभूषितः।
O tiger among men, this great divine bow, adorned with gold and gems, belongs to Viṣṇu and was fashioned by Viśvakarman; and this superb arrow—unfailing, sun-bright—was granted by Brahmā.
Verse 3.12.35
अनेन धनुषा राम हत्वा संख्ये महासुरान्।।।।आजहार श्रियं दीप्तां पुरा विष्णुर्दिवौकसाम्।
Mahendra (Indra) gave me these two quivers with inexhaustible arrows, filled with sharp shafts blazing like fire; and this sword adorned with gold, with its great silver scabbard.
Verse 3.12.36
तद्धनुस्तौ च तूणीरौ शरं खङ्गं च मानद।। ।।जयाय प्रतिगृह्णीष्व वज्रं वज्रधरो यथा।
With this bow, O Rāma, Viṣṇu once slew the great asuras in battle and restored shining prosperity to the gods.
Verse 3.12.37
एवमुक्त्वा महातेजाः समस्तं तद्वरायुधम्।दत्वा रामाय भगवानगस्त्यः पुनरब्रवीत्।।।।
O bestower of honor, accept this bow, the two quivers, the arrow, and the sword for victory—just as Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, takes up his vajra.