Entry into the inner palace

Fresh English translation

Having once looked over the dwellings within and the palaces of the Raghus, one turns to the special palace of seven enclosures—the Raṅga Mahal described in the scriptures. At its center is Śrī Kanaka Bhavana and the ornamented bower where the Darling Lady and her Beloved perform their play of repose. Directing the inner gaze there, one sees in the enclosure to the north the palace of Śrī Candrakalā. In one’s own palace farther north, one beholds one’s contemplated form. Forgetting outward activity, one knows: ‘These are my three maidservants—Suruci, Sumati, and Icchā—who have awakened me.’ The three have adorned that inner form. Reflecting in this way, one prepares three trays from one’s own form: perfume casket, betel casket, and rosewater nearby; other prepared foods on one, sandal paste and flowers on another. Giving these into the three servants’ hands, one performs a little of Śrī Candrakalā’s service and adornment. Together with her company of three thousand companions and its group leaders, one reaches the sleeping bower with Candrakalā. There they receive Śrījī’s permission and, with sweet words and gentle turning of the feet, awaken the Divine Couple.