Traveling towards the hermitage of Sutikshna Rama, Lakshmana and Sita had to cross the meandering river Ganga at many places before entering a densely wooded region. There they beheld the solitary hermitage of Sutikshna, the famed ascetic. They found him sitting in the lotus posture, with hair matted and frail body covered with dust. Rama went in and prostrated to the sage, saying, "Sire, dharmic and god-like, your penance renders you supreme. I am Rama and have come to see you. Kindly bless me". Sutikshna rose to embrace Rama with great affection and said, "Rama! You are the most renowned on the earth and I am so pleased with your presence here. Having heard of your arrival at Chitrakuta, knowing that you would one day come here, I have been waiting for you. Refusing to accompany Indra to the abode of Brahma, I have remained here. Indra tells me that the power of my penance has earned me all the worlds, I now relinquish those in favor of you", but Rama said, "My Lord, the worlds you have mentioned have to be won by myself. Sage Sarabhanga had spoken of you as one, forever in pursuit of the welfare of the world. He wanted me to see you and take your advice on my place of dwelling". The sage did not hesitate to offer Rama his hermitage, "Stay here Rama, where fruit and food for ascetics is plentiful. Except for the fearful animals that stray here occasionally to disturb our peace, there is no other evil". But Rama said, "If I stay here I will slay these beasts, desecrating this holy place and causing you distress. For me there will be no greater sorrow than to make you unhappy, so I do not want to stay here for long". Honored and welcomed with great warmth, Sita, Rama and Lakshmana spent the night at the hermitage.