Passage 1
अथागमच्छरत्कालः प्रमोदवनमध्यतः। उत्फुल्लपङ्कजवनः परागोद्धूलिताम्बरः॥१॥
Then the autumn season came into the midst of Pramoda Forest. Its lotus groves were fully blossomed, and its sky was powdered with pollen.
Passage 2
सप्तच्छदोग्रसौगन्ध्यसमूहोन्मत्तदिग्गजः। मृदुचन्द्रकरस्पर्शसहजोत्फुल्लकैरवः॥२॥
The elephants of the directions were maddened by masses of the intense fragrance of saptacchada blossoms, while night lotuses opened naturally at the touch of the moon’s gentle rays.
Passage 3
उत्फुल्लमल्लिकावल्लीकुसुमस्तवकान्वितः। खेलत्खञ्जनदाम्पत्यसम्भ्रमोद्भूतमन्मथः॥३॥
Clusters of flowers covered the fully blooming jasmine creepers. Love arose in excitement at the play of pairs of wagtail birds.
Passage 4
चकोरीवदनान्तःस्थनिशाकरकरामृतः। हंसकारण्डवाक्रीडसलिलोद्धरणोद्धुरः॥४॥
The nectar of the moon’s rays rested within the mouths of cakora birds, and the water was stirred and lifted by the play of swans and kāraṇḍava ducks.
Passage 5
कञ्जकिञ्जल्कपुञ्जान्तर्लीनप्रचुरषट्पदः। काशपुष्पप्रतीकाशचमरीपुच्छमण्डलः॥५॥
Numerous bees disappeared within masses of lotus filaments, and circles of yak-tail fans resembled white kāśa flowers.
Passage 6
प्रमोदवनसम्फुल्लमालतीसौरभान्वितः। सन्ततस्वच्छसरयूसलिलाचितबालुकः॥६॥
The season bore the fragrance of mālatī flowers blossoming throughout Pramoda Forest, while its sands were covered by the ever-clear waters of the Sarayū.
Passage 7
गोपगोपीहृदुत्साहवर्द्धनः पुष्टिकारकः। दृष्ट्वेदृशं तु समयं रामो रमणकोविदः॥७॥
It increased the joy in the hearts of cowherd men and women and brought them fullness. Seeing such a season, Rāma, who was skilled in love-play—
Passage 8
गोधोरणीं पुरस्कृत्य प्रमोदवनमागमत्। तत्र गत्वा कृताकल्पः सहजोत्सवसुन्दरः॥८॥
placed the rows of cows before him and came to Pramoda Forest. Once there, he adorned himself, beautiful with the festivity innate to him.
Passage 9
अङ्गलावण्यसन्दोहप्रकाशितदिगन्तरः। गोपानुवाच सकलान् भ्रातॄंश्च लक्ष्मणादिकान्॥९॥
The abundance of beauty in his limbs illumined every direction. He addressed all the cowherds and his brothers, beginning with Lakṣmaṇa.
Passage 10
हे लक्ष्मण गवां गोष्ठं रच्यतां परितोऽत्र वै। गोपैः सार्द्धं शाद्वलानि चार्यतां मम धेनवः॥१०॥
“Lakṣmaṇa, establish the cattle enclosure all around this place. Together with the cowherds, have my cows graze upon the green meadows.
Passage 11
अहमत्र करिष्यामि प्रमोदविपिनान्तरे। पूजां कामेश्वरस्याङ्ग देवदेवस्य सन्ततम्॥११॥
“Dear one, here within Pramoda Forest I shall continually worship Kāmeśvara, the God of gods.
Passage 12
भरतेन च शत्रुघ्न सार्धं त्वं गाश्च चारय। अत्र स्यात्कोऽपि चेद्विघ्नः प्रतीकार्यस्तथैव सः॥१२॥
“Together with Bharata and Śatrughna, graze the cows. If any obstacle should arise here, it must be countered at once.
Passage 13
प्रमोदवनकुञ्जेषु करिष्यामि मनोरथम्। ओमित्युक्तवन्तमथो विसृज्य लक्ष्मणं च तान्॥१३॥
“I shall fulfill my heart’s desire in the bowers of Pramoda Forest.” When they had said “Om,” he dismissed Lakṣmaṇa and the others.
Passage 14
अन्तः प्रमोदविपिनमियाय रघुनन्दनः। तत्र गत्वा शशिज्योत्स्नाविसतन्तुपटोज्ज्वलाः॥१४॥
The son of Raghu entered deep within Pramoda Forest. Going there, he called forth autumn nights radiant with moonlight like cloth woven from lotus fibers—
Passage 15
सुधामयीः शरत्पूर्णा रजनीराजुहाव सः। द्विपरार्धान्तेऽपि नित्यास्तास्तस्य पुरतोऽभवन्॥१५॥
nights filled with nectar and with autumn’s fullness. Eternal even at the end of two parārdhas, they appeared before him.
Passage 16
तासु क्रीडनमारेभे दिव्यकेलीविशारदः। तत्र स्थित्वा महाकुञ्जे जुगुञ्ज कलवेणुना॥१६॥
The master of divine play began his sport within those nights. Standing there in the great bower, he made his sweet flute resound.
Passage 17
तत्र वेणुरवे गानमकरोदिदमादरात्। इत्येहि जनकनन्दिनि मदन्तःसन्तापहरणचन्द्रिकावतारविग्रहे मदङ्गसञ्जातप्रमोदवनलहरीलीलायितगते सहजचिदानन्दमयतारुण्यविलासवैभवाधिवासिते॥१७॥
There, through the sound of his flute, he lovingly sang this song: “Come, daughter of Janaka, embodiment of descending moonlight that removes the burning within me! Your gait plays like the waves of Pramoda Forest born from my limbs, and you are pervaded by the splendor of youthful play made of innate consciousness and bliss.
Passage 18
चिल्लोकस्वामिनि कामिनीजनगर्वापहारमकरध्वजपताके वेदिमध्ये महामत्तमातङ्गगामिनि राकेशप्रभावलेपनिर्वहणवदनकान्ते कैशोरलीलामतिलङ्घ्यवर्तमाने॥१८॥
“Mistress of the world of consciousness, banner of Love who takes away the pride of amorous women, you walk in the center of the terrace like a greatly intoxicated elephant. The beauty of your face carries off the moon’s proud radiance, and you abide beyond the play of adolescence.
Passage 19
प्रमोदवनवृन्दावनमन्दारवनकदम्बवनपारिजातवनेश्वरि कुञ्जभुवनेश्वरि रक्ताशोकलतामण्डपमध्यस्थे स्मरमन्त्रमहाविद्ये श्रीमन्त्रविद्ये महामन्त्रविद्ये महाश्रीयन्त्रनायिके महाचक्रनायिके मातङ्गकुलपूजनीयचिन्तामणिचरणनखचन्द्रिके॥१९॥
“Mistress of Pramoda Forest, Vṛndāvana, the mandāra forest, the kadamba forest, and the pārijāta forest; sovereign of the world of bowers, standing within the pavilion of red aśoka creepers; great lore of Love’s mantra, lore of the Śrī-mantra, and lore of the great mantra; leader of the great Śrī Yantra and the great cakra; moonlight of wish-fulfilling-jewel toenails worshiped by the Mātaṅga lineage!
Passage 20
चञ्चलापाङ्गसङ्क्षोभितकोटिकन्दर्पकामिनीहृदये कोटिब्रह्माण्डकमलासमुच्चयरूपविग्रहे मन्दस्मितमात्रनिरस्तविरहशोके हा भामिनि हा चण्डि हात्यन्तकोपने हातिशयदुराराध्यशीले भूलीलादिविविधाकारावान्तरावतारातिनिमग्नमानसे क्वासि क्वासीति ॐ ॐ ओं ॐ आनन्दवल्लिके क्वासि क्वासीति जगौ॥२०॥
“Your restless sidelong glance agitates the hearts of millions of Love gods and amorous women. Your body has the form of the gathered Lakṣmīs of millions of universes, and your mere gentle smile dispels the grief of separation. Ah, radiant one! Ah, fierce one! Ah, you who are exceedingly angry and whose nature is extraordinarily difficult to propitiate! Your mind is deeply immersed in manifold partial descents of many forms, beginning with the earthly līlā. Where are you? Where are you? Om, Om, Oṃ, Om! Creeper of bliss, where are you? Where are you?” Thus he sang.
Passage 21
ततस्तदाकर्ण्य सुवेणुनिःस्वनं प्रियोदितं मन्मथवेगवर्द्धनम्। स्मरोन्मदप्रोद्धतमानसा बहि- र्हृदन्तरादाविरभून्नितम्बिनी॥२१॥
Then the shapely woman heard the beautiful flute-note voiced by her beloved, which increased the force of love. Her mind impelled by love’s intoxication, she manifested outwardly from within his heart.
Passage 22
अशोकवल्लीवनमण्डपान्तराद् विनिःसरन्ती सहजारुणांशुका। घटस्तनी सन्मणिहारभूषणा स्फुरत्पदन्यासविरञ्चितावनिः॥२२॥
She emerged from within the forest pavilion of aśoka creepers, naturally clad in red. Her breasts were like jars, she was adorned with a fine jeweled necklace, and the earth was colored by her flashing footsteps.
Passage 23
मरालगत्यञ्चितमञ्जुविग्रहा नितम्बभारोद्वहनाक्षमा रमा। मृदुस्मितदद्योतविभासितानना मनोहरापाङ्गविभूषितेक्षणा॥२३॥
Rāmā’s lovely form was graced by the gait of a swan, and she seemed unable to bear the weight of her hips. Her face shone with the radiance of a gentle smile, and her eyes were adorned by enchanting sidelong glances.
Passage 24
अनर्घ्यकाञ्चीगुणनादिघण्टिका मनोज्ञकेयूरविलम्बिदोर्लता। त्रपानिमग्ना कलितावगुण्ठना सुवृत्तदीव्यज्जघनप्रभाम्बरा॥२४॥
The little bells upon her priceless girdle sounded, and charming armlets hung from her creeper-like arms. Immersed in modesty, she wore a veil, while her well-rounded, shining hips and radiant garment gleamed.
Passage 25
सुकण्ठकण्ठी शुभसूत्रशोभिता सभागसौभाग्यसमूहसङ्गता। समानशीलैः प्रचुरैः सखीजनैः सनाथपर्यन्तपुरस्थलस्थिता॥२५॥
Her lovely neck was adorned by an auspicious marriage-thread, and she was endowed with every share of good fortune. Surrounded by many companions of like disposition, she stood in the forecourt with attendants on every side.
Passage 26
परिस्फुरच्चारुकपोलमण्डन- प्रतिष्ठताटङ्कमणिप्रभाभरा। प्रसूनचित्रीकृतचारुवेणिका सुनासिकाशोभिमहामणित्रया॥२६॥
The jewels of her firmly set earrings filled her gleaming, lovely cheek ornaments with radiance. Her beautiful braid was variegated with flowers, and three great jewels beautified her fine nose.
Passage 27
सुमञ्जुसिन्दूरसमूहसुन्दर- प्रसर्पिसीमन्तितरत्नपट्टिका। ललाटपर्यन्तविराजिभूषण- प्रभासमूहैः परिवेपितानना॥२७॥
A spreading jeweled band adorned the parting of her hair, beautiful with lovely vermilion. Her face was encircled by masses of light from ornaments shining as far as her forehead.
Passage 28
सा राघवेन्द्रस्य जवेन सन्निधौ समेत्य कण्ठे मणिमालिकामधात्। तयोर्विनिर्वृत्य विवाहमङ्गलं सखीजनः कुञ्जगृहे विधानवित्॥२८॥
She quickly came into the presence of the lord of the Raghus and placed a jeweled garland around his neck. In the bower-house, the companions, skilled in the rites, completed the auspicious wedding of the two.
Passage 29
प्रवर्तयामास मिथो रतिक्रियां नवीनसङ्गोद्यदनङ्गकौतुकाम्। ततस्तयोस्तत्र दिने दिनेऽभव- न्महोत्सवः पूर्णसखीमनोरथः॥२९॥
They set the mutual rite of love in motion, its wonder of bodiless Love arising from the new union. From then on, a great festival took place there for the couple day after day, fulfilling the companions’ hearts’ desires.
Passage 30
शृङ्गारयामास रघूद्वहः प्रियां प्रियापि तं दिव्ययुवानमादरात्। एवं तदन्योन्यमभूत्कुतूहलं दाम्पत्यभावप्रणयेन सञ्चितम्॥३०॥
The foremost Raghu adorned his beloved, and his beloved lovingly adorned that divine youth in return. Thus their mutual delight accumulated through the love of their wedded state.
Passage 31
परस्परालापनिरीक्षणादिषु प्रवृद्ध उच्चैः प्रणयस्य वारिधिः। अभूदमर्यादतरः समन्ततो यथान्यवार्ता धरणीं समाक्रमत्॥३१॥
Through their conversations, glances, and other exchanges, the ocean of their love swelled immensely. It became altogether boundless, until their story spread throughout the earth.
Passage 32
साकेतनगरद्वारा रासभूः सहवेश्मसु। सरयूतटकुञ्जेषु रत्नपर्वतसानुषु॥३२॥
At the gates of Sāketa city, upon the rāsa ground and within its surrounding mansions, in bowers along the Sarayū’s bank, and on the slopes of Jewel Mountain;
Passage 33
क्रीडास्थानेषु दिव्येषु महासाम्राज्यभूतिषु। वाटिकातटवापीषु प्रमोदवनमध्यतः॥३३॥
in divine places of play endowed with the splendor of a great empire, beside gardens, banks, and stepwells throughout Pramoda Forest—
Passage 34
दधौ केलिरसं रामो रामया सह सन्ततम्। क्वचिद्गुञ्जाविभूषाढ्यो वनमालाविभूषणः॥३४॥
Rāma continually enjoyed the rasa of play with Rāmā. At times he was richly adorned with guñjā berries and wore a forest-flower garland.
Passage 35
मयूरचन्द्रिकोत्तंसी वितेने नयनोत्सवम्। क्वचिच्चन्दनकाश्मीरमकरीपत्रचित्रितः॥३५॥
Crowned with a moonlike peacock feather, he created a festival for the eyes. At times he was painted with makara-leaf designs in sandalwood and saffron.
Passage 36
रत्नाकल्पमनोहारी चकारातीव सम्पदम्। क्वचिच्च कनकोष्णीषरत्नस्तवकशोभितः॥३६॥
Captivating in jeweled ornaments, he displayed extraordinary splendor. At times he shone with a cluster of jewels upon a golden turban.
Passage 37
हेमकञ्चुकलिप्ताङ्गो रेजे राजोत्तमो यथा। क्वचित्पीताम्बरधरः शुभ्रधौत्रविराजितः॥३७॥
His body enclosed in a golden jacket, he shone like the best of kings. At times he wore a yellow garment and was radiant in spotless white cloth.
Passage 38
आबद्धचूडाचिकुरश्चकार प्रियया मुदम्। क्वचिच्च मल्लकच्छाढ्यः सुवर्णधृतकुण्डलः॥३८॥
With his hair bound in a topknot, he rejoiced together with his beloved. At times he wore a wrestler’s loincloth and golden earrings.
Passage 39
करस्थवलयोल्लासी रराज रघुनन्दनः। क्वचिन्नासामणिभ्राजी श्रीमदाननमण्डलः॥३९॥
The son of Raghu shone with bracelets gleaming upon his hands. At times his splendid face was radiant with a jewel upon his nose.
Passage 40
प्रियाकल्पितपुंवेशो रेजे श्रीरामचन्द्रमाः। क्वचित्किरातवेशेन सन्नद्धललनासखः। मृगयाभिरतिर्वीरो व्यरोचत वनान्तरे॥४०॥
Śrī Rāmacandra shone in masculine attire arranged by his beloved. At times, dressed as a hunter and accompanied by armed women, the hero delighted in the hunt and shone within the forest.
Passage 41
एवं विचित्ररचनान्वितकेलिकारः कन्दर्पकोटिकमनीयकलाकलापः। दासीजनप्रतिविभूषितदिव्यरामा तारुण्यमोदमदिरारसपानमत्तः॥४१॥
Thus he fashioned play endowed with wondrous arrangements, possessing an array of lovely arts equal to millions of gods of Love. With divine Rāmā adorned in turn by her maidservants, he was intoxicated by drinking the wine-like rasa of youthful delight.
Passage 42
अन्योन्यमुज्ज्वलरसोदधिहावभाव- रिङ्गत्तरङ्गशतसान्द्रतरार्द्रमूर्त्तिः। चक्रे विलासरसिको विविधान् विलासान् श्रीमत्प्रमोदवनकुञ्जगृहे सुरम्ये॥४२॥
His form became deeply softened by the hundreds of moving waves of gesture and emotion in their mutual ocean of radiant rasa. The connoisseur of play performed manifold sports in the exquisite bower-house of glorious Pramoda Forest.
Passage 43
इत्यं विहरतस्तस्य रामया सीतया सह। द्विपरार्द्धान्तिमभवद् ब्रह्मणो रजनी हि सा॥४३॥
As he sported in this way with Rāmā, Sītā herself, that night extended to the very end of Brahmā’s two parārdhas. --- Thus ends the twenty-seventh chapter, “Rāma’s Rāsa,” in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍa in the Śrīmad Ādi Rāmāyaṇa. Textual notes The chapter occupies source leaves 242–245 and ends with its complete colophon on leaf 245. Verses 17–20 form a single extended flute-song whose long vocative compounds are preserved rather than summarized. Verse 40 is printed in three lines. In verse 16 the scan reads महाकुञ्जे, where the auxiliary transcription drops the locative ending; in verse 43 the scan reads द्विपरार्द्धान्तिमभवद्, where that aid again omits a vowel. Both scan readings are followed here. The edition’s unusual इत्यं at the start of verse 43 is retained.