Passage 1
सुन्दरो नन्दनो लीलो ललामश्चैव ये पुरा। गता राजकुमारास्ते व्रजं प्रापुः सुखाकरम्॥१॥
“The princes Sundara, Nandana, Līlā, and Lalāma, who had set out earlier, reached Vraja, the mine of happiness.
Passage 2
निकुञ्जकुञ्जशोभाढ्यं कूजत्प्रमदकोकिलम्। सर्वर्तुसुखदं रम्यं छायाभूरुहमण्डितम्॥२॥
“It was splendid with nested bowers, filled with the joyous calls of cuckoos, delightful in every season, and adorned with shade-giving trees.
Passage 3
श्रीरामरसिकोत्तंसगुणगानपरायणैः। समन्ताद् गोदुहां हारैः संकीर्णच्छायपादपम्॥३॥
“Its shade trees were surrounded by rows of cowherds devoted to singing the virtues of Śrī Rāma, the crown jewel of those who savor rasa.
Passage 4
गवां हुंभारवैर्भूयः समाकलितमङ्गलम्। दधिमन्थभवोद्घोषहेमभाण्डविराजितम्॥४॥
“The repeated lowing of cows gathered auspiciousness there, while the sound of churning yogurt arose amid shining golden vessels.
Passage 5
इतस्ततः कूर्दमानैस्तर्णकैर्भूरिशो गवाम्। शोभमानं सलक्ष्मीकं श्रीरामस्य निजालयम्॥५॥
“Calves leapt everywhere in great numbers. Endowed with every prosperity, that Vraja shone as Śrī Rāma’s own home.
Passage 6
तुलसीकुसुमामोदैः संपूरितदिगन्तरम्। सरयूतीरकल्लोलशीतलानिलसेवितम्॥६॥
“The horizons were filled with the fragrance of tulasī blossoms, and cooling breezes from the waves along the Sarayū’s bank served the land.
Passage 7
विलोक्य राजन्यकुमारकास्ते मनोहरं गोपराजस्य घोषम्। वैकुण्ठलोकोत्तमनिर्विशेषं विदाञ्चक्रुर्भूरिसानन्दचित्ताः॥७॥
“Seeing the cowherd king’s enchanting settlement, the royal youths, their hearts full of joy, understood it to be indistinguishable from—or even superior to—the realm of Vaikuṇṭha. The princes said:
Passage 8
अहो अस्य गवेन्द्रस्य भाग्यं वक्तुं न शक्यते। षट्पञ्चाशत्कोटिसंख्यं राजते यस्य गोधनम्॥८॥
“Ah, the fortune of this lord of cattle cannot be described! His splendid herd numbers fifty-six crores.
Passage 9
अहो अत्र व्रजस्थाने रामणीयकमद्भुतम्। कदम्बकुसुमामोदैः संपूरितदिगन्तरम्॥९॥
“How wondrous is the beauty of this place in Vraja, where the horizons are filled with the fragrance of kadamba flowers!
Passage 10
अहो अमी पादपाः सरय्वम्भस्तरङ्गसङ्गादनिशं पवित्राः। गायन्ति नित्यं वयसां निनादैर्लोकाभिरामं ननु रामचन्द्रम्॥१०॥
“These trees are continually sanctified by contact with the waves of the Sarayū’s water. Through the calls of their birds they perpetually sing of Rāmacandra, the delight of the world.
Passage 11
अमी गृणन्ति प्रसभं द्विरेफाः श्रीरामदेवस्य सुधासवर्णाम्। कीर्तिं त्रिभिर्निगमैर्गीयमानां गङ्गाम्बुवत्पावनीं पापराशेः॥११॥
“These bees sing intensely of Lord Śrī Rāma’s glory, nectar-colored, celebrated by the three Vedas, and able like Gaṅgā’s water to purify accumulated sin.
Passage 12
नमः सरय्वै व्रजभूमिं पुनन्त्यै शुभोत्तरैरूर्मिभिरद्भुतायै। सङ्गादमुष्या सुरसिन्धु[धा?]रासीद्विशेषतः कोटितीर्थास्पदत्वम्॥१२॥
“Homage to the wondrous Sarayū, who purifies the land of Vraja with her supremely auspicious waves. Through association with her, the river of the gods attained its special status as the abode of millions of holy places.
Passage 13
यस्यास्तटे रासविलासलीलां चक्रे रमाया रमणः स रामः। समुच्छलद्दिव्यतरङ्गजुष्टां नमाम तां सरयूं ब्रह्मपुत्रीम्॥१३॥
“On her bank, Rāma, the beloved of Ramā, enacted the playful delights of rāsa. We bow to that daughter of Brahmā, the Sarayū, graced by leaping divine waves.
Passage 14
या सप्तकल्पान्तजलेऽतिभीमे सप्तार्णवैकाम्बुकरालसंत्रसे। महानलज्वालवदुज्ज्वलाङ्गी विराजते तां सरयूं नमामः॥१४॥
“When the seven oceans merge into one terrifying mass of water at the dreadful end of a cosmic age, she shines with limbs brilliant like the flames of a vast fire. We bow to that Sarayū.
Passage 15
नमामहे सिन्धुजलप्रभेदिनीं साकेतपर्यन्तविराजिविग्रहाम्। गवेन्द्रघोषप्रमदाकुचस्थलश्रीखण्डलेपोज्ज्वलवीचिमालिनीम्॥१५॥
“We bow to her who cleaves the ocean’s waters, whose form shines as far as Sāketa, and whose garland of waves gleams like fine sandal paste from the breasts of the maidens in the cowherd king’s settlement.
Passage 16
प्रभावतीं बिन्दुमतीं कलावतीं कृपावतीं भक्तिमतीं सुधावतीम्। पयस्विनीं पुण्यगवीं मनस्विनां तरस्विनीं श्रीसरयूं नमाम ताम्॥१६॥
“We bow to glorious Śrī Sarayū: radiant, filled with drops and arts, rich in compassion, devotion, and nectar; flowing with milk, a holy cow for the wise, and swift in her course.
Passage 17
मातः कृपावति तरङ्गिणि रङ्गकारि झङ्कारिणि त्रिभुवनाघविदारणोग्रे। श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणाब्जरतिप्रकाशसंवादिके सरयु संप्रतिपालयास्मान्॥१७॥
“Mother Sarayū—compassionate river, maker of delight, resonant one, fierce destroyer of the three worlds’ sins, and herald who reveals love for Śrī Rāmacandra’s lotus feet—protect us now.
Passage 18
व्रजिनहरणदक्षा रामभक्तिप्रकाशा कमलभवनिषेव्या वैष्णवत्वप्रदात्री। तुलसिवनविशेषा शोभितीरान्तदेशा प्रभवतु सरयूनः सर्वकल्याणकर्त्री॥१८॥
“Skillful in removing sin, revealing devotion to Rāma, served by lotus-born Brahmā, and bestowing the Vaiṣṇava state, Sarayū—whose banklands are beautified by exceptional tulasī groves—may act for our every welfare.
Passage 19
हे मातः सरयु त्रिलोकजननि क्षेमैकवारांनिधे धाराभूषितभूतलेऽमलसुधाकासारिणि श्रीपतेः। मज्जन्मानुषमुक्तिदे त्रिजगतीसौभाग्यसंपत्प्रदे स्मेरे सरयु प्रसीद भवती गम्भीरधीरद्रवे॥१९॥
“O Mother Sarayū, mother of the three worlds and sole ocean of well-being; O stainless pool of the Lord’s nectar, whose streams adorn the earth; giver of liberation to humans who bathe in you and bestower of the three worlds’ good fortune—smiling Sarayū of deep, steady current, be gracious.
Passage 20
इत्यष्टकं यः प्रपठेत् सरय्वाः प्रभातकालेऽवभृथप्रसङ्गे। स पापराशीन् समतीत्य सर्वान् कैवल्यनिर्वाणपदं प्रयाति॥२०॥
“Whoever recites this eight-verse hymn to Sarayū at dawn upon the occasion of a sacred bath passes beyond every mass of sin and reaches the liberated state of absolute freedom.
Passage 21
इत्यभिष्टूय सरयूं राजपुत्राः शुभाशयाः। निमज्य सलिले तस्याः नृत्यं च समवर्तयन्॥२१॥
“Having praised Sarayū in this way, the pure-hearted princes immersed themselves in her water and then began to dance.
Passage 22
अन्यतस्तत्तटे देशे अपश्यन् रत्नपर्वतम्। अनेकरत्नकिरणमञ्जरीमञ्जुलाकृतिम्॥२२॥
“Elsewhere upon that bank they saw a jeweled mountain, its lovely form made of clusters of rays from countless gems.
Passage 23
अनेकसरसीवर्यसंफुल्लनवपङ्कजम्। सौगन्धिकरजोवृन्दपटलाच्छादिताम्बरम्॥२३॥
“Its many excellent lakes were filled with newly opened lotuses, while veils of fragrant pollen clouds covered the sky.
Passage 24
हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णसुनिर्झरनदीशतम्। कादम्बबकुलाक्रान्तरत्नवापीसहस्रकम्॥२४॥
“Hundreds of beautiful waterfalls and streams were thronged by swans and kāraṇḍava ducks, and thousands of jeweled stepwells were covered by kadamba and bakula trees.
Passage 25
सरोजलान्तःसंसिन्नरत्नाङ्कुरमयूखकम्। गन्धर्वललनागीतसमुच्छादितदिक्तटम्॥२५॥
“Rays from jewel sprouts shone through the waters of its lakes, while songs of gandharva maidens overflowed across every horizon.
Passage 26
तं वीक्ष्य रासक्रीडादिकोटिरत्नप्रभामयम्। मेनिरे ते गवेन्द्रस्य राजधानीं महाश्रियम्॥२६॥
“Seeing it radiant with millions of jewels belonging to rāsa play and other pastimes, they recognized it as the magnificent capital of the lord of cattle.
Passage 27
कथं न लक्ष्मीः कृपयेदिहैव यत्रास्ति रामस्य विहारभूमिः। विशालगोपोकमलासहस्रपादाब्जमञ्जीररवानुघुष्टम्॥२७॥
“How could Lakṣmī not pour out grace here, where Rāma’s playground resounds with the anklet tones of the lotus feet of thousands of splendid cowherd maidens?
Passage 28
अस्मिन् गवेन्द्रः सुखिताभिधानः करोति राज्यं खलु घोषराजः। अयं स देशो रघुपुङ्गवस्य प्राणप्रियः सौरभमाधुरीचयः॥२८॥
“Here the cowherd king named Sukhita, lord of the settlement, rules. This is the very land dearer than life to the best of the Rāghavas, a treasury of fragrance and sweetness.
Passage 29
इति ब्रुवाणास्ते क्षिप्रं प्रमोदवनमाययुः। फुल्लाशोकलताकुञ्जविस्फुरन्माधुरीमयम्॥२९॥
“Speaking thus, they soon reached Pramoda forest, filled with the flashing sweetness of bowers woven from flowering aśoka vines.
Passage 30
इतस्ततः कदम्बौघप्रसूनसुरभीकृतम्। प्रमत्तबर्हिणारावमुखरीकृतदिक्तटम्॥३०॥
“Everywhere it was perfumed by masses of kadamba blossoms, and every quarter resounded with the cries of intoxicated peacocks.
Passage 31
स्नेहप्रमत्तगोपार्यबालिकाकेलिवर्धनम्। अत्यर्थविरहावेशसाक्षात्कृतनिजप्रियम्॥३१॥
“It increased the play of noble cowherd maidens intoxicated with love, who in the extremity of separation directly beheld their own beloved.
Passage 32
श्रीरामस्य कलत्रैस्तैः सेवितं कान्तमन्दिरम्। तुलसीपवनामोदैः पावयन्तं दिशो दश॥३२॥
“Śrī Rāma’s beloved consorts served that lovely dwelling, whose tulasī-scented breezes purified all ten directions.
Passage 33
भक्तिरससुरेन्द्रादिसेव्यमानरजोभरम्। अलौकिकामोदमाद्यन्मधुपारावपूरितम्॥३३॥
“Indra and other gods who savor devotion served its abundant dust, while it was filled with the humming of bees intoxicated by its unworldly fragrance.
Passage 34
श्रीराममुरलीनादविह्वलीकृतबर्हिणम्। संगीतकर्णपीयूषरोचमानजनश्रुतिः॥३४॥
“The sound of Śrī Rāma’s flute overwhelmed its peacocks, and musical nectar for the ears delighted all who heard it.
Passage 35
प्रमोदकानने गत्वा सुखितस्य गृहं प्रति। जग्मुर्नृपकुमारास्ते विशालध्वजलक्षितम्॥३५॥
“Having entered Pramoda forest, the royal youths proceeded toward Sukhita’s home, distinguished by its immense banner.
Passage 36
तत्र गत्वा रथेभ्यस्ते व्यवतेरुः समन्ततः। ददृशुः सुखितं गोपं श्रीरामस्मृतितत्परम्॥३६॥
“Arriving there, they all descended from their chariots and saw the cowherd Sukhita wholly absorbed in remembrance of Śrī Rāma.
Passage 37
तेभ्यः प्रणतमौलिभ्यो गोपः कृत्वा शुभाशिषः। परिरेभे रामधिया रामचन्द्रस्य मित्रकान्॥३७॥
“The cowherd gave auspicious blessings to the princes as they bowed their heads and, seeing Rāma within them, embraced Rāmacandra’s friends. Sukhita said:
Passage 38
सुखं राघववर्यस्य रामस्य प्राणदस्य नः। कच्चित् कुशलिनो बालाश्चत्वारः सौख्यदा मम॥३८॥
“Is the foremost Rāghava, Rāma, giver of our very life, well? Are the four young princes well, those boys who give me happiness?
Passage 39
तेष्वेव लोकसारेषु बालकेषु मनो मम। शून्या एव दिशः सर्वाः पश्यतो व्रजमण्डले॥३९॥
“My mind dwells only upon those boys, the very essence of the world. As I look about the circle of Vraja, every direction seems empty.
Passage 40
लोकोत्तराः सुजनिमान इमे कुमाराः श्रीराचन्द्रतनयप्रमुखाः सरूपाः। अप्यात्मनो नयनवृत्तिहरा जयन्तु नित्यं यथा प्रमुदमेव परां लभामः॥४०॥
“May these transcendently well-born and beautiful princes, led by the son of Śrī Rācandra, who steal even the movement of one’s eyes, ever prosper, so that we may attain the highest joy. Māṅgalyakā said:
Passage 41
अहो राजकुमाराणां युष्माकं मुखचन्द्रताः। पीत्वा कुशलपीयूषं रामस्यानन्दिता वयम्॥४१॥
“O princes, from the moons of your faces we have drunk the nectar of news that Rāma is well, and we are filled with joy.
Passage 42
अहो भाग्यमहो भाग्यं या पश्यति मुखाम्बुजम्। रामस्य लोकरामस्य कामदस्य जगत्त्रये॥४२॥
“What fortune, what immense fortune belongs to the woman who beholds the lotus face of Rāma, delight of the world and fulfiller of desire throughout the three worlds!
Passage 43
साकेतपत्तननृणां खलु भाग्यवल्ली साफल्यमेति रघुनाथमुखेन्दुं दृष्ट्वा। वैकुण्ठमेव सुखमेतदथो समग्रम् अत्रैव पूर्णपुरुषोऽस्ति दयार्द्रवृत्त्या॥४३॥
“The vine of fortune belonging to Sāketa’s people bears fruit when they behold Raghunātha’s moonlike face. All the happiness of Vaikuṇṭha is present there, for the Complete Person himself abides among them with a heart softened by compassion.
Passage 44
अधुनापि तथैवाहो तान्येव दिवसानि नः। वियोगेऽपि परावेशाद्राममेव प्रपश्यताम्॥४४॥
“Even now those very days remain with us, for through supreme absorption we behold Rāma alone, even in separation.
Passage 45
कदा खलु व्रजे राम आगमिष्यति नो गृहान्। इतिवार्तोदयेनेव विरहो व्रजवासिनाम्॥४५॥
“‘When will Rāma come to our homes in Vraja?’ With the mere arising of this question, separation swells among Vraja’s people. The princes said:
Passage 46
कुशली रामभद्रोऽस्ति कूजन् कुशलवारिधिः। प्रीणयन् शयने पित्रोर्जनतानन्दवर्धनः॥४६॥
“Blessed Rāma is well—the very ocean of well-being. Cooing upon his parents’ bed and delighting them, he increases the joy of all the people.
Passage 47
मातर्जननि माङ्गल्ये श्रीरामपरिपोषिके। पारे भाग्यसमुद्रस्य प्राप्तासि किमु वर्ण्यताम्॥४७॥
“Mother, venerable Māṅgalyā, nourisher of Śrī Rāma, you have reached the far shore of the ocean of fortune. How could that fortune be described?
Passage 48
प्राप्तो राजश्रियं रामो न विस्मरति नित्यशः। मातस्तव करानीतं नवनीतस्य पारणम्॥४८॥
“Though Rāma has attained royal splendor, Mother, he never forgets the meal of fresh butter brought by your own hand.
Passage 49
व्रजदुग्धदधिक्षीरनवनीतादिभोजनम्। नित्यप्रियं राघवस्य पुष्णाति भवतां भगम्॥४९॥
“Food made from Vraja’s milk, yogurt, cream, fresh butter, and the like remains ever dear to Rāghava and continually increases your good fortune.
Passage 50
अहो घोषस्य वो लक्ष्मीः पारे वाङ्मनसः स्थिता। वशीचकार या रामं निःश्रेयसरसेश्वरम्॥५०॥
“How astonishing is the prosperity of your cowherd settlement, beyond the reach of speech and mind, for it has brought Rāma, the Lord of the rasa of supreme blessedness, under its loving control.” --- Thus ends the sixty-sixth chapter, entitled “The Sending of Messengers to Vraja,” in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍa in the Śrīmad Ādi Rāmāyaṇa. Textual notes The chapter begins on source leaf 420, occupies leaves 420–424, and ends with its colophon on physical PDF page 425. All fifty numbered passages were transcribed directly from the 1975 scan; archive OCR was used only as a locating and typing aid. The edition presents a clean numerical sequence from 1 through 50. Passages 10–20, 27–28, 40, and 43 contain extended printed units under single source numbers and are retained as such. Passages 13–20 form the chapter’s complete eight-passage hymn to the Sarayū. The scan marks a doubtful segment in passage 12, represented here as [धा?], and this edition preserves the uncertainty. The difficult or irregular printed readings उत्तमनिर्विशेषं (7), सप्तार्णवैकाम्बुकरालसंत्रसे (14), विशालगोपोकमलासहस्र (27), गोपार्यबालिका (31), and श्रीराचन्द्रतनयप्रमुखाः (40) are preserved or translated conservatively rather than silently replaced.