Shloka 3.12.23
अगस्त्याश्रमप्रवेशः तथा दिव्यायुधप्रदानम् (Entry into Agastya’s Hermitage and the Gift of Divine Weapons)
अब्रवीद्वचनं वीरो लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मिवर्धनम्। 3.12.22।। एष लक्ष्मण निष्क्रामत्यगस्त्यो भगवानृषिः। औदार्येणावगच्छामि निधानं तपसामिमम्।। 3.12.23।।
abravīd vacanaṃ vīro lakṣmaṇaṃ lakṣmivardhanam |
eṣa lakṣmaṇa niṣkrāmaty agastyo bhagavān ṛṣiḥ |
audāryeṇāvagacchāmi nidhānaṃ tapasām imam ||
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).”
The valiant Rama said to Lakshmana, the enhancer of prosperity, O Lakshmana, sage Agastya is coming out. By virtue of his noble appearance, I know this sage to be a great treasuretrove of penances.
The same dhārmic lesson is reiterated: recognize and honor tapas and noble character as the foundation of moral authority.
A recensional repetition of Rāma’s identification and praise of Agastya as he emerges.
Rāma’s consistent humility and truthful speech in praising virtue.