Passage 1
इत्थं गाधिसुतो रामं नीत्वा धनुरशिक्षयत्। धनुर्विद्याप्रसंगेन तेन यज्ञमरक्षयत्॥१॥
In this way, Gādhi’s son took Rāma with him and taught him archery; through that occasion of martial training, he caused the sacrifice to be protected.
Passage 2
कृतोपकारं तं स्वस्थं यज्ञप्रत्यूहनाशतः। सीतास्वयंवरे नीत्वा तां पत्नीं समकल्पयत्॥२॥
Having received Rāma’s aid in destroying the impediments to his sacrifice, the sage brought him to Sītā’s svayaṃvara and secured her as his wife.
Passage 3
वधूयुतं वरं रामं सानुजं पुनरानयत्। अयोध्यानगरीमध्ये प्रजासौख्यं वितीर्णवान्॥३॥
He brought back Rāma, now a bridegroom accompanied by his bride and younger brother, and spread happiness among the people in the city of Ayodhyā.
Passage 4
एवं महामना धीरो गाधेयो मुनिसत्तमः। चक्रे मैत्रीं दशरथेन राज्ञा धर्मेण भूभृता॥४॥
Thus the steadfast and great-minded sage, Gādhi’s son, formed a friendship with King Daśaratha, who upheld the earth through dharma.
Passage 5
नृपं मुनिरनुज्ञाय स्वाश्रमं समगात्ततः। रामः स्थितो यौवराज्ये प्रजासंतोषमाचरत्॥५॥
Taking leave of the king, the sage returned to his hermitage. Established as heir apparent, Rāma brought contentment to the people.
Passage 6
सीतां संतोषयन् भूयो रेमे केलिकदम्बकैः। सहजानन्दिनीं रामां रतिकोटिगरीयसीम्॥६॥
Delighting Sītā, he reveled again in clusters of playful pastimes with that lovely Rāmā, giver of innate bliss and weightier than millions of goddesses of love.
Passage 7
कृतयज्ञक्रियारक्षो हतराक्षससैनिकः। रामश्चक्रे यौवराज्यं नन्दन् दशरथं नृपम्॥७॥
Having protected the sacrificial rites and slain the rākṣasa host, Rāma served as heir apparent and delighted King Daśaratha.
Passage 8
यौवराज्ये स्थितो रामः प्रमोदविपिने हि तत्। नित्यं गच्छति केल्यर्थं लतानां भूरिसंपदा॥८॥
While established as heir apparent, Rāma regularly went for pleasure to that forest of delight, richly endowed with flowering creepers. Bhuśuṇḍi said:
Passage 9
का इमास्तत्र विपिने लताललितसंपदः। यासु श्रीरामभोग्यत्वमाधुर्यं संततं स्थितम्॥९॥
“Who were those creepers in the forest, possessed of such graceful beauty, in whom the sweetness of being enjoyed by Śrī Rāma remained forever?
Passage 10
लताः स्थावररूपास्ताः कथं रामेण रेमिरे। एतन्नः संशयं छिन्धि भूयो लोकपितामह॥१०॥
“Creepers possess an immobile form; how then did they sport with Rāma? O Grandfather of the worlds, dispel this doubt of ours once more.” Brahmā said:
Passage 11
इदं रहस्यं परमं चरित्रं रामस्य ते वच्मि पुराणकल्पम्। खगेन्द्र वेदैरपि गीतपूर्वं नित्यं महाभागवतैकहृद्यम्॥११॥
“King of birds, I shall tell you this supreme secret of Rāma’s conduct, ancient as primordial time, sung even by the Vedas and forever dear solely to the great Bhāgavatas.
Passage 12
यौवराज्ये स्थितं राममभिरामवयोगुणम्। उदारं रूपलावण्यनिधिं परमधार्मिकम्॥१२॥
“Rāma, established as heir apparent, possessed a delightful youth and virtues; he was magnanimous, a treasury of beauty and grace, and supremely righteous.
Passage 13
रममाणं श्रिया साकं रामया सीतया तया। पीयूषमिव वर्षन्तं नेत्रानन्दं स्वबन्धुषु॥१३॥
“Sporting with that lovely Sītā, who was prosperity embodied, he poured the nectar of delight into the eyes of his own kinsmen.
Passage 14
जननीं तोषयन्तं च वात्सल्यरसरूपिणीम्। कृतनीराजनं नित्यं सायंप्रातर्दिने दिने॥१४॥
“He delighted his mother, the embodiment of maternal affection, while she performed the waving of lights for him every morning and evening, day after day.
Passage 15
मृगयाभिः खेलमानं धावन्तं घनकानने। पितुर्दशरथस्यापि पूरयन्तं मनोरथान्॥१५॥
“He played at the hunt and ran through the dense forest, fulfilling the wishes of his father Daśaratha as well.
Passage 16
सहस्रं शरदो याताः निवसन्तं पितृगृहे। कदाचिदेकान्तचरं नारदः प्रत्यपद्यत॥१६॥
“A thousand autumns passed while he lived in his father’s house. One day, when he was walking alone, Nārada approached him.
Passage 17
तं दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय ब्रह्मदूतं मुनीश्वरम्। सुस्थितं चार्हयाञ्चक्रे पाद्यार्घ्याचमनादिभिः॥१७॥
“Seeing the lordly sage, Brahmā’s messenger, Rāma rose at once, seated him comfortably, and honored him with water for the feet, an offering of respect, water for sipping, and the other rites.
Passage 18
कृतातिथ्यो मुनिश्रेष्ठो नन्दथुः प्रीतमानसः। उवाच स्मयमानस्तं प्रीत्युन्नमितलोचनः॥१८॥
“The excellent sage, pleased at the hospitality and joyful at heart, spoke to him with a smile, his eyes raised in affection.” Nārada said:
Passage 19
तव राम चरित्रेण नन्दितं सकलं जगत्। भक्ताः परमहंसाश्च श्रवणेन कृतार्थताः॥१९॥
“Rāma, your deeds have delighted the whole world; through hearing them, devotees and supreme renunciants have attained fulfillment.
Passage 20
गायन्ति सुरतर्षयश्च सुन्दरं विमलं यशः। गङ्गाम्बुपावनं साक्षात् पीयूषौघप्रवर्षणम्॥२०॥
“The divine sages sing your beautiful and stainless fame, purifying as the waters of the Gaṅgā and manifestly pouring down streams of nectar.
Passage 21
रामरामेति भवतो यन्नाम श्रुतिगोचरम्। तदेव शरणं लोके इदानीं निश्चितं प्रभो॥२१॥
“The name by which you enter the ear—‘Rāma, Rāma’—is now surely the world’s refuge, my Lord.
Passage 22
नाम्ना रूपेण बहुधा क्रीडसे पुरुषोत्तम। लीलया रमयन् विश्वं भक्तान् भागवतान् नरान्॥२२॥
“Supreme Person, you sport in many ways through name and form, delighting the universe and the men who are your devoted Bhāgavatas through your divine play.
Passage 23
नहि ते पूर्णरूपस्य न्यूनता क्वापि दृश्यते। रूपमाधुर्यविक्रान्तिगुणशीलादिषु प्रभो॥२३॥
“No deficiency is ever seen in your perfect form, Lord—whether in beauty of form, valor, virtues, character, or any other excellence.
Passage 24
पूर्णोऽसि ब्रह्मरूपोऽसि तादृशं चरितं तव। जीवनं भक्तलोकानामवाङ्मनसगोचरम्॥२४॥
“You are complete; you are the form of Brahman; and such is your conduct. It is the life of the community of devotees and lies beyond speech and mind.
Passage 25
सर्वं जानासि विषयं कृतं कर्तव्यमेव च। नापेक्षसे नियोगं त्वं ब्रह्मणोऽपि महात्मनः॥२५॥
“You know every matter—what has been done and what must be done—and need no command even from the great Brahmā.
Passage 26
तथापि सेवकेन नित्यं प्रार्थनीयः प्रभुः प्रभो। स्वतन्त्रेच्छो दयासिन्धुः पूर्णात्मा भक्तशेवधिः॥२६॥
“Nevertheless, a servant should always petition his Lord. You are sovereign in will, an ocean of mercy, the complete Self, and the devotees’ treasure.
Passage 27
इति विज्ञाय विधिना प्रेषितोऽहं त्वदन्तिके। कथयिष्यामि संदेशं शृणोतु भगवान् किल॥२७॥
“Knowing this, Brahmā sent me into your presence. I shall convey his message; may the Blessed Lord hear it.
Passage 28
साकेतपुरपर्यन्ते यद्रसालवनं महत्। तत्र नार्यो लतारूपास्तव भक्ता जगत्पते॥२८॥
“At the boundary of Sāketa city lies a great mango grove. The women there, Lord of the world, are your devotees in the forms of creepers.
Passage 29
मन्मानससंभवाः पूर्वं सृष्ट्यादौ ब्रह्मणः किल। ब्रह्मकल्पे संप्रसूता विधेर्मानसतो मम॥२९॥
“Long ago, at the beginning of creation, they arose from Brahmā’s mind. In a former Brahmā-kalpa, they were born from the mind of me, the Creator.
Passage 30
चन्द्राननाः शुभोदर्का उदारास्तनुमध्यमाः। तडित्कोटिप्रभाः श्यामाः सुनासाः सुतलोचनाः॥३०॥
“Moon-faced, auspicious in consequence, noble and slender-waisted, they had the radiance of millions of lightning flashes, dusky complexions, lovely noses, and beautiful eyes.
Passage 31
इन्दिरा एव ताः साक्षात् सौन्दर्येण स्मरप्रियाः। ज्योत्स्नावलक्षहसिता असितापाङ्गकेलयः॥३१॥
“They were Lakṣmī herself made visible, lovely even to the god of love; their smiles were bright with moonlight, and their dark sidelong glances were playful.
Passage 32
ता वीक्ष्य सुमहुः सर्वे देवता विधिपार्श्वतः। संपन्ननयसो ज्ञात्वा प्रोक्तवानहमुत्तमम्॥३२॥
“Seeing them, while all the gods stood near the Creator, and knowing that their youth was fully developed, I spoke these excellent words.
Passage 33
सुन्दर्यः सकलास्तास्तु निजमानससंभवाः। भो भो पुत्र्यो दिव्यरूपा भवन्त्यः स्वोचितान् जनान्॥३३॥
“‘All those beautiful women had arisen from my own mind. O daughters of divine form, choose persons suitable to yourselves—
Passage 34
वृण्वन्तु देवगन्धर्वराक्षसेषु यथास्पृहम्। नगनागमनुष्येषु पशुषु द्रुमपक्षिषु॥३४॥
“‘—as you desire, among gods, Gandharvas, rākṣasas, mountains, serpents, human beings, animals, trees, or birds.
Passage 35
यथायोगं यथाकामं लभन्तां शुभगान् वरान्। स्त्रीणां हि भर्तैव गतिरभर्तुर्धर्मः सदागतिः॥३५॥
“‘May they obtain handsome husbands according to their fitness and desire, for a husband is indeed a woman’s refuge; without one, dharma is always her refuge.’
Passage 36
इत्युक्त्वा विरते वाक्ये मयि नोचुः शुचिस्मिताः। ततोऽहं लज्जिता ज्ञात्वा ब्राह्मीं विद्यामुवाच ह॥३६॥
“When I had finished speaking, the pure-smiling women gave no answer. Perceiving their embarrassment, I then addressed Sarasvatī, the personified wisdom of Brahmā.
Passage 37
वद त्वं पुत्रिके एता भगिन्यो मन्मनोभवाः। वरार्थं स्पृहयन्त्वेतास्त्रैलोक्ये भूरितेजसम्। सरस्वती तु ताः सर्वा एतत् प्रोक्तवती वचः॥३७॥
“‘Daughter, speak to these sisters born from my mind, so that they may desire a husband of great splendor within the three worlds.’ Sarasvatī then addressed all of them with these words. Sarasvatī said:
Passage 38
अये भगिन्यः शृण्वन्तु हितं वः प्रोच्यते वचः। विधीयतां तत्तथैव ममेवाज्ञातमा चिरम्॥३८॥
“Sisters, listen. Words beneficial to you are being spoken. Carry them out exactly, for I have long understood our father’s command.
Passage 39
देवानां प्रवरः शक्रः सर्वदेवगणावृतः। ततश्च द्वादशादित्या वसवोऽष्टौ च शंकराः॥३९॥
“Indra, foremost of the gods, is surrounded by all the divine hosts; then there are the twelve Ādityas, the eight Vasus, and the Śaṅkaras.
Passage 40
एकादश च विश्वे च साध्याश्च मरुतस्तथा। अन्ये च विविधैश्वर्यभूषिता देवसत्तमाः॥४०॥
“There are also the eleven Viśvedevas, the Sādhyas, the Maruts, and other excellent gods adorned with manifold powers.
Passage 41
गन्धर्वाश्च तथा सिद्धा मुख्याश्चित्ररथादयः। दैत्याश्च बहवः सन्ति मुख्यस्तेषां बलिर्मतः॥४१॥
“There are Gandharvas and Siddhas—Citraratha and others are foremost—and many Daityas, of whom Bali is regarded as chief.
Passage 42
राक्षसाश्चैव विविधा भूतिभाजो भवे मम। तथैव दानवाः सन्ति वराद्या बलशालिनः॥४२॥
“There are also various prosperous Rākṣasas within my world, and powerful Dānavas headed by Vara.
Passage 43
मनुष्याणां नृपाः श्रेष्ठा मर्त्यलोके सहस्रशः। स्रोतसां सागरो राजा नगानां च हिमालयः॥४३॥
“Among human beings there are thousands of excellent kings in the mortal world; the ocean is king of rivers, and Himālaya is king of mountains.
Passage 44
मेरुश्च सर्वदेवानां स्थानभूतो मनोरमः। सुपर्णो वासुकिः श्रेष्ठो हरेरंशः सनातनः॥४४॥
“Lovely Meru is the dwelling place of all the gods; Garuḍa and Vāsuki are preeminent, eternal portions of Hari.
Passage 45
एषां मध्ये यथाकामं वरार्थं प्रतिपद्यते। इत्यादेशो विधेः सख्यस्त्रैलोक्यपरमेष्ठिनः॥४५॥
“Choose a husband as you wish from among these. Such is the command of our father, the Creator and supreme lord of the three worlds.
Passage 46
विधीयतां तथा कार्यं भवतीनां हितं हि तत्। तदाकर्ण्यावदन् वाक्यं ताः सर्वाः पद्मलोचनाः॥४६॥
“Act accordingly; that indeed will be for your welfare.” Hearing this, all the lotus-eyed women then spoke. Thus ends Chapter Eighty, called “The account of the creepers’ liberation,” in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍi in the glorious Ādi Rāmāyaṇa. Source note This chapter is transcribed directly from printed pages 341–344 of the 1975 Pūrva-khaṇḍa witness (source leaves 472–475). The archival page is authoritative; OCR was used only as a locating aid. The edition’s visibly compressed or irregular readings in verses 12, 18, 20, 32, 38, and 42 are retained rather than silently reconstructed; their English follows the sense supplied by the surrounding syntax. Verse 37 contains three printed lines within its single numbered unit.