Vasiṣṭha said: The great sages Bhṛgu, Atri, Kratu, Jābāli, Vāmadeva and Mṛkaṇḍu, all of whom had got rid of their sins through penance, were extremely advanced in their wisdom, righteous activities and age, whose holy rites had been praised by all, heard that Rāma was performing a penance of a mystic nature in a lonely spot, attained perfect concentration of his mind in Lord Śiva and that he invariably maintained regular observances of holy rites. Being eager, curious and desirous of seeing him, they went over to his hermitage.