# Araṇya Kāṇḍa 11 — Agastya’s gifts of weapons *He gives Rāma Viṣṇu’s bow, Brahmā’s arrow, Indra’s inexhaustible quivers and a gold-adorned sword* Portion: Ten years in the forest and settlement at Pañcavaṭī · Verses: 34 · Ref format: 3.11. ## Sequence - Lakṣmaṇa approaches a disciple and identifies Rāma, Sītā, and himself, explaining that they have come during their exile to meet Agastya (11.1–4) - the disciple enters the fire sanctuary and reports their arrival (11.5–8) - Agastya says he too has long wished for this meeting and asks why Rāma has not already been brought in (11.9–12) - the disciple returns with Lakṣmaṇa and respectfully escorts the travelers inside (11.13–16) - passing the shrines of Brahmā, Agni, Viṣṇu, Indra, the Sun, Soma, and other devatās, Rāma sees Agastya approaching with his disciples (11.17–20) - he bows at the maharṣi's feet, and all three stand respectfully before him (11.21–22) - Agastya provides a seat and water, makes the prescribed offerings, and serves food appropriate to forest life (11.23–24) - he explains the importance of hospitality and honors Rāma as a welcome royal guest (11.25–28). - Agastya presents Viṣṇu's divine bow, made by Viśvakarman and adorned with gold and diamonds (11.29) - he adds a powerful arrow given by Brahmā, two inexhaustible quivers received from Indra, and a gold-adorned sword with a silver sheath (11.30–31) - he explains that Viṣṇu used this bow to defeat the asuras and recover sovereignty for the Devas → he gives the weapons to Rāma for victory (11.32–34). ## Verses **3.11.1** sa praviśyāśramapadaṃ lakṣmaṇo rāghavānujaḥ agastyaśiṣyam āsādya vākyam etad uvāca ha Lakṣmaṇa, the younger brother of Rāghava, having entered the hermitage grounds and approached a disciple of Agastya, spoke these words: **3.11.2** rājā daśaratho nāma jyeṣṭhas tasya suto balī rāmaḥ prāpto muniṃ draṣṭuṃ bhāryayā saha sītayā “There is a king named Daśaratha; his eldest son, mighty Rāma, has come with his wife Sītā to see the sage. **3.11.3** lakṣmaṇo nāma tasyāhaṃ bhrātā tv avarajo hitaḥ anukūlaś ca bhaktaś ca yadi te śrotram āgataḥ I am named Lakṣmaṇa, his younger brother, devoted to his welfare, obedient and loyal — if that has ever reached your ear. **3.11.4** te vayaṃ vanam atyugraṃ praviṣṭāḥ pitṛśāsanāt draṣṭum icchāmahe sarve bhagavantaṃ nivedyatām We, having entered this most terrible forest at our father’s command, all wish to see the venerable one; let it be announced.” **3.11.5** tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā lakṣmaṇasya tapodhanaḥ tathety uktvāgniśaraṇaṃ praviveśa niveditum Hearing that speech of Lakṣmaṇa, the ascetic, saying “So be it,” entered the fire-sanctuary to announce it. **3.11.6** sa praviśya muni śreṣṭhaṃ tapasā duṣpradharṣaṇam kṛtāñjalir uvācedaṃ rāmāgamanam añjasā Having entered, with palms joined he spoke this to the best of sages, unassailable through his austerity, announcing Rāma’s arrival directly: **3.11.7** putrau daśarathasyemau rāmo lakṣmaṇa eva ca praviṣṭāv āśramapadaṃ sītayā saha bhāryayā “These two sons of Daśaratha, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, have entered the hermitage grounds together with his wife Sītā. **3.11.8** draṣṭuṃ bhavantam āyātau śuśrūṣārtham ariṃdamau yad atrānantaraṃ tattvam ājñāpayitum arhasi Those two tamers of foes have come to see you and to render service; be pleased to command truly what should follow next in this matter.” **3.11.9** tataḥ śiṣyād upaśrutya prāptaṃ rāmaṃ salakṣmaṇam vaidehīṃ ca mahābhāgām idaṃ vacanam abravīt Then, hearing from the disciple that Rāma with Lakṣmaṇa and the illustrious Vaidehī had come, he spoke these words: **3.11.10** diṣṭyā rāmaś cirasyādya draṣṭuṃ māṃ samupāgataḥ manasā kāṅkṣitaṃ hy asya mayāpy āgamanaṃ prati “By good fortune Rāma has come today, after so long, to see me; indeed I too had longed in my heart for his coming. **3.11.11** gamyatāṃ satkṛto rāmaḥ sabhāryaḥ sahalakṣmaṇaḥ praveśyatāṃ samīpaṃ me kiṃ cāsau na praveśitaḥ Let one go, and let Rāma be honoured and brought into my presence with his wife and with Lakṣmaṇa; why has he not already been shown in?” **3.11.12** evam uktas tu muninā dharmajñena mahātmanā abhivādyābravīc chiṣyas tatheti niyatāñjaliḥ Addressed thus by the great-souled sage who knew dharma, the disciple, saluting with palms reverently joined, said, “So be it.” **3.11.13** tato niṣkramya saṃbhrāntaḥ śiṣyo lakṣmaṇam abravīt kvāsau rāmo muniṃ draṣṭum etu praviśatu svayam Then, coming out in a hurry, the disciple said to Lakṣmaṇa: “Where is Rāma? Let him come to see the sage; let him enter in person.” **3.11.14** tato gatvāśramapadaṃ śiṣyeṇa sahalakṣmaṇaḥ darśayām āsa kākutsthaṃ sītāṃ ca janakātmajām Then Lakṣmaṇa, going with the disciple to the hermitage grounds, pointed out Kākutstha (Rāma) and Sītā, the daughter of Janaka. **3.11.15** taṃ śiṣyaḥ praśritaṃ vākyam agastyavacanaṃ bruvan prāveśayad yathānyāyaṃ satkārārthaṃ susatkṛtam The disciple, uttering the courteous message of Agastya, ushered him in duly, well honoured, for the sake of hospitality. **3.11.16** praviveśa tato rāmaḥ sītayā sahalakṣmaṇaḥ praśāntahariṇākīrṇam āśramaṃ hy avalokayan Then Rāma entered with Sītā and with Lakṣmaṇa, gazing at the hermitage thronged with peaceful deer. **3.11.17** sa tatra brahmaṇaḥ sthānam agneḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva ca viṣṇoḥ sthānaṃ mahendrasya sthānaṃ caiva vivasvataḥ There he saw the shrine of Brahmā, and likewise the shrine of Agni, the shrine of Viṣṇu, the shrine of great Indra, and also that of Vivasvat (the Sun), **3.11.18** somasthānaṃ bhagasthānaṃ sthānaṃ kauberam eva ca dhātur vidhātuḥ sthānaṃ ca vāyoḥ sthānaṃ tathaiva ca the shrine of Soma, the shrine of Bhaga, and also the shrine of Kubera, the shrine of Dhātṛ and Vidhātṛ, and likewise the shrine of Vāyu, **3.11.19** tataḥ śiṣyaiḥ parivṛto munir apy abhiniṣpatat taṃ dadarśāgrato rāmo munīnāṃ dīptatejasaṃ abravīd vacanaṃ vīro lakṣmaṇaṃ lakṣmivardhanam Then the sage too, surrounded by his disciples, came forth; and Rāma, seeing before him that sage of blazing splendour, the heroic one spoke these words to Lakṣmaṇa, increaser of good fortune: **3.11.20** eṣa lakṣmaṇa niṣkrāmaty agastyo bhagavān ṛṣiḥ audāryeṇāvagacchāmi nidhānaṃ tapasām imam “Here, Lakṣmaṇa, comes forth the venerable seer Agastya; by his nobility I recognize him as this very treasury of austerities.” **3.11.21** evam uktvā mahābāhur agastyaṃ sūryavarcasaṃ jagrāha paramaprītas tasya pādau paraṃtapaḥ Having spoken thus, the mighty-armed scorcher of foes, greatly delighted, clasped the feet of Agastya, who had the splendour of the sun. **3.11.22** abhivādya tu dharmātmā tasthau rāmaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ sītayā saha vaidehyā tadā rāma salakṣmaṇaḥ Having saluted, righteous Rāma stood with palms joined, together with Vaidehī Sītā and with Lakṣmaṇa. **3.11.23** pratigṛhya ca kākutstham arcayitvāsanodakaiḥ kuśalapraśnam uktvā ca āsyatām iti so 'bravīt Receiving Kākutstha and honouring him with a seat and water, and asking after his welfare, he said, “Please be seated.” **3.11.24** agniṃ hutvā pradāyārghyam atithiṃ pratipūjya ca vānaprasthena dharmeṇa sa teṣāṃ bhojanaṃ dadau Having offered oblation to the fire, presented the guest-offering, and honoured his guest, he gave them food according to the way of the forest-dweller. **3.11.25** prathamaṃ copaviśyātha dharmajño munipuṃgavaḥ uvāca rāmam āsīnaṃ prāñjaliṃ dharmakovidam And first sitting down, the bull among sages, the knower of dharma, then spoke to Rāma, seated with palms joined, well-versed in dharma: **3.11.26** anyathā khalu kākutstha tapasvī samudācaran duḥsākṣīva pare loke svāni māṃsāni bhakṣayet “Truly, Kākutstha, an ascetic who acts otherwise (than by the rules of hospitality) would, like a false witness, devour his own flesh in the next world. **3.11.27** rājā sarvasya lokasya dharmacārī mahārathaḥ pūjanīyaś ca mānyaś ca bhavān prāptaḥ priyātithiḥ You are the king of all the world, a follower of dharma, a great warrior, worthy of worship and honour; you have come as a welcome guest.” **3.11.28** evam uktvā phalair mūlaiḥ puṣpaiś cānyaiś ca rāghavam pūjayitvā yathākāmaṃ punar eva tato 'bravīt Having spoken thus and honoured Rāghava to his heart’s content with fruits, roots, flowers and other things, he then spoke again: **3.11.29** idaṃ divyaṃ mahac cāpaṃ hemavajravibhūṣitam vaiṣṇavaṃ puruṣavyāghra nirmitaṃ viśvakarmaṇā “This is the great divine bow of Viṣṇu, adorned with gold and diamonds, O tiger among men, fashioned by Viśvakarman. **3.11.30** amoghaḥ sūryasaṃkāśo brahmadattaḥ śarottamaḥ datto mama mahendreṇa tūṇī cākṣayasāyakau This is the unerring, sun-like supreme arrow given by Brahmā; and two quivers with inexhaustible shafts were given to me by great Indra. **3.11.31** saṃpūrṇau niśitair bāṇair jvaladbhir iva pāvakaiḥ mahārājata kośo 'yam asir hemavibhūṣitaḥ The two are filled with sharp arrows like blazing fires; and here is this sword with a great silver sheath, adorned with gold. **3.11.32** anena dhanuṣā rāma hatvā saṃkhye mahāsurān ājahāra śriyaṃ dīptāṃ purā viṣṇur divaukasām With this bow, Rāma, Viṣṇu long ago slew the great asuras in battle and won back the shining sovereignty for the dwellers in heaven. **3.11.33** tad dhanus tau ca tūṇīrau śaraṃ khaḍgaṃ ca mānada jayāya pratigṛhṇīṣva vajraṃ vajradharo yathā That bow, those two quivers, the arrow and the sword, O bestower of honour, take up for victory, as the wielder of the thunderbolt takes his vajra.” **3.11.34** evam uktvā mahātejāḥ samastaṃ tad varāyudham dattvā rāmāya bhagavān agastyaḥ punar abravīt Having spoken thus and given all that excellent weaponry to Rāma, the venerable, mightily splendid Agastya spoke again: