पञ्चाप्सरो-सरः कथनम् तथा अगस्त्याश्रममार्गनिर्देशः
Panchapsara Lake Account and Directions to Agastya
निगृह्य तपसा मृत्युं लोकानां हितकाम्यया।।3.11.55।।यस्य भ्रात्रा कृतेयं दिक्छरण्या पुण्यकर्मणा।
nigṛhya tapasā mṛtyuṃ lokānāṃ hitakāmyayā ||
yasya bhrātrā kṛteyaṃ dik-śaraṇyā puṇya-karmaṇā |
लोकानां हितकाम्यया तपसा मृत्युं निगृह्य, पुण्यकर्मणा यस्य भ्रात्रा इयं दिक् शरण्या कृता॥
Loka-saṅgraha (welfare of all): true ascetic power is validated by compassion and protection—making a place safe for others.
Rama praises the sanctity and protective power of the sage’s brother, explaining why the area is a refuge.
The ascetic’s compassion-driven austerity: tapas directed toward public good rather than personal display.