Passage 1
याज्ञवल्क्योऽपि भगवांस्तपस्तेपे महातपाः। यस्य क्षेत्रस्य माहात्म्यं बहुधा सकलोत्तरम्॥१॥
“The venerable great ascetic Yājñavalkya also performed austerities at a sacred field whose many forms of greatness surpass all others.
Passage 2
आदित्यात्समुपश्रुत्य सूक्तानि च यजूंषि सः। यत्र संपाठयामास सशिष्यो बहुविस्तरम्॥२॥
“Having received hymns and sacrificial formulas from the Sun, he taught them there extensively together with his disciples.
Passage 3
ईजे च भगवान्नित्यं सोमैः संवत्सरे संवत्सरे। तत्र तस्य तपःस्थानं योगस्थानं सुसात्त्विकम्॥३॥
“Year after year the venerable sage regularly worshiped through Soma rites. That pure place became the ground of his austerity and yoga.
Passage 4
यः स्नाति मनुजो गत्वा तस्य पुण्यं वदामि किम्। वाजपेयादिकोटीनां फलमाप्नोति तत्क्षणात्॥४॥
“How could I describe the merit of one who goes and bathes there? In that very moment one gains the fruit of millions of Vājapeya and other sacrifices.
Passage 5
वामदेवस्तथा दिव्यं तपश्चक्रे सुदुस्तरम्। तस्य क्षेत्रस्य माहात्म्यं मया वक्तुं न शक्यते॥५॥
“Vāmadeva likewise performed sublime and exceedingly difficult austerity there. I am unable to express that sacred field’s greatness.
Passage 6
सोमयागशतं कृत्वा यत्फलं लभते नरः। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति तत्र संस्नानमात्रतः॥६॥
“Merely bathing there gives a person the same fruit that would be gained by performing a hundred Soma sacrifices.
Passage 7
अहं चापि तपश्चर्यां विधाय विपुलां नृप। यत्रासादितवान्सिद्धिं तत्क्षेत्रं केन सेवितम्॥७॥
“I too performed vast austerities there, O king, and attained perfection. Who could fully render service to so exalted a field?
Passage 8
वैवस्वतो नाम मनुर्भवतां कुलवर्तकः। स च तत्रैव विपुलं तपस्तेपे मया सह॥८॥
“Vaivasvata Manu, perpetuator of your lineage, also performed immense austerities at that very place together with me.
Passage 9
तस्य क्षेत्रस्य माहात्म्यं किं वदामि महीपते। स्नानाद्दानात्पिण्डदानाज्जपाद्ब्राह्मणभोजनात्॥९॥
“What can I say of that sacred field’s greatness, ruler of the earth? Through bathing, giving, offering ancestral piṇḍas, recitation, and feeding brāhmaṇas—
Passage 10
विपुलं पुण्यमाप्नोति तत्क्षणादेव मानवः। मनुना विपुलं पुण्यं तत्र संस्थापितं नृप॥१०॥
“a person instantly obtains abundant merit. Manu established a vast treasury of sanctity there, O king.
Passage 11
अङ्गिराश्चेन भगवान्यत्रेजे बहुदक्षिणैः। यज्ञैः साक्षाद्विधिर्यत्र ब्रह्मासीद्विरजः प्रभुः॥११॥
“The venerable Aṅgiras worshiped there with sacrifices rich in gifts. The stainless Creator himself served as the presiding Brahmā priest.
Passage 12
शक्रादयस्तथा देवास्तत्तत्कर्मणि संस्थिताः। इष्ट्वा च बहुभिर्यज्ञैश्चक्रुरवभृथोत्सवम्॥१२॥
“Indra and the other gods each occupied their appointed ritual role. After worshiping through many sacrifices, they celebrated the concluding bath.
Passage 13
तत्पुण्यं सारवं क्षेत्रं तन्नाम्नैव प्रतिष्ठितम्। तत्र स्नानेन दानेन नरो याति परां गतिम्॥१३॥
“That essential sacred field became established under his name. By bathing and giving there, a person reaches the supreme destination.
Passage 14
ऋष्यशृङ्गश्च भगवान्यत्र त्वत्पुत्रहेतवे। इयाज भूरियज्ञेन तच्च क्षेत्रं महाफलम्॥१४॥
“There the venerable Ṛṣyaśṛṅga performed the great sacrifice through which you obtained sons. That sacred field bestows immense fruit.
Passage 15
धनुस्तीर्थं तथा दिव्यं यत्र रामेण शिक्षिता। धनुर्विद्या महाराज दैत्यदानवनाशिनी॥१५॥
“There too is the divine Dhanuṣ-tīrtha, where Rāma learned the science of archery that destroys Daityas and Dānavas, great king.
Passage 16
तत्तीर्थं यत्प्रदानादिविधाने लोकपावनम्। विश्वामित्रेण मुनिना यत्र रामाय साधवे॥१६॥
“That sacred ford purifies the world through its prescribed gifts and other rites. There the sage Viśvāmitra instructed the noble Rāma—
Passage 17
शस्त्राण्यस्त्राणि च विभो शिक्षितानि महात्मने। लक्ष्मणाय च शत्रुघ्नभरताभ्यां च भूपते॥१७॥
“and the great-souled Lakṣmaṇa, Śatrughna, and Bharata in weapons wielded by hand and missiles invoked by sacred formulas, O ruler.
Passage 18
मखस्थाने नरः स्नात्वा सर्वपापं व्यपोहति। अश्वमेधादियागानां लभेत्पुण्यं दिने दिने॥१८॥
“Bathing at the sacrificial ground removes every sin, and day after day a person gains the merit of Aśvamedha and other sacrifices.
Passage 19
अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि वनानां वनमुत्तमम्। अयोध्यापरितो राजंश्चतुर्विंशतियोजनम्॥१९॥
“I shall now describe the supreme forest among forests, extending twenty-four yojanas around Ayodhyā, O king.
Passage 20
प्रमोदवनमित्युक्तं सरयूतटसन्निधौ। तस्यास्तरङ्गपवनैः पावितं सर्वतोदिशम्॥२०॥
“It is called Pramodavana and lies near the Sarayū’s bank. Winds rising from the river’s waves purify it in every direction.
Passage 21
रामलीलाविहारस्य स्थानभूतं सनातनम्। रामवैकुण्ठमित्युक्तं कविभिः शास्त्रकोविदैः॥२१॥
“It is the eternal ground of Rāma’s playful pastimes. Learned poets versed in scripture call it Rāma-Vaikuṇṭha.
Passage 22
गावः संचारिता यत्र रामेण तव सूनुना। सुखितस्य गवेन्द्रस्य गोष्ठं यत्र प्रतिष्ठितम्॥२२॥
“There your son Rāma grazed cows, and there stood the cattle station of Sukhita, lord of the herds.
Passage 23
तथा श्रीनन्दनस्यापि गोपालस्य महीपते। राजिनीवल्लभस्यापि स्थानमत्रैव राजते॥२३॥
“The places of the cowherds Śrīnandana and Rājinīvallabha also shine in that very region, lord of the earth.
Passage 24
तन्मण्डलं महाराज साक्षाद्वैकुण्ठमुत्तमम्। पदे पदेऽश्वमेधादियज्ञकोटिफलप्रदम्॥२४॥
“That district is directly the highest Vaikuṇṭha, great king. At every step it bestows the fruit of millions of Aśvamedha and other sacrifices.
Passage 25
व्रजाङ्गना यत्र रमेश्वरस्य गायन्ति पुण्यानि यशांसि शश्वत्। प्रकम्पितैरुत्पुलकैर्वपुर्भी रमन्त्य उच्चैः प्रणयप्रकर्षम्॥२५॥
“There the women of Vraja eternally sing the holy glories of Rameśvara. Their bodies trembling and thrilled, they delight in the highest intensity of love. King Daśaratha said:
Passage 26
रामो राजकुले जातो वीर्यवान्वीरपुङ्गवः। कथं चारितवान्गाश्च सुखितस्य गवां पतेः॥२६॥
“Rāma was born into a royal family and is a powerful leader of heroes. How then did he graze the cows of Sukhita, lord of cattle?
Passage 27
एतन्मे संशयं छिन्धि तत्त्वज्ञोऽसि भवान्मुने। वणिजां कृत्यमेतद्वै क्षत्रस्य जनितं कथम्॥२७॥
“Dispel this doubt of mine, sage, for you know the truth. This is the work of herdsmen and merchants; how did it arise in a kṣatriya?” Vasiṣṭha said:
Passage 28
स्वतन्त्रेच्छस्य रामस्य किमेतद्यदनौचिती। तथापि कारणं तत्र वदामि तव भूपते॥२८॥
“What could be improper for Rāma, whose will is utterly free? Nevertheless, O ruler, I shall tell you the reason for this pastime.
Passage 29
आविर्भूतं परमपुरुषं त्वद्गृहे श्रीरमेशं रामं सच्चित्सुखमयतनुं ब्रह्म पूर्णप्रकाशम्। विज्ञायोच्चैः सहजसुखदाद्वैकुण्ठधाम्नः प्रादुर्भूता अमुमनुगता देववाचोऽपि तास्ताः॥२९॥
“Knowing that Rāma—the Supreme Person, Lord of Śrī, whose body is existence, consciousness, and bliss and who is Brahman’s full radiance—had appeared in your home, the divine Vedic utterances manifested from naturally blissful Vaikuṇṭha and followed him.
Passage 30
कर्मज्ञानार्चनविधिपरा ऋग्यजुःसामसंस्था नानाकारा व्रजभुवि ऋचो धेनुरूपेण जाताः। भक्तेस्तत्त्वं समनुभवितुं सर्वशास्त्रोत्तमायाः ता रामेण स्वयमविरतं पालितास्तत्र गोष्ठे॥३०॥
“The Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma hymns, devoted to rites, knowledge, and worship, took many forms as cows upon the land of Vraja. To experience the truth of devotion, highest teaching of all scripture, they were continually tended by Rāma himself in that cattle station.
Passage 31
अतः परं वेदऋचः समस्ता भवत्येकतात्पर्यवतीः सतत्त्वाः। जानीहि भूमीपतिसार्वभौम याः प्रमोदाटवीं संचरन्ति॥३१॥
“Know, universal sovereign, that all the Vedic hymns roaming Pramodavana possess the true reality and converge upon a single purport.
Passage 32
प्रमोदवनमेकान्ते भक्तिरूपं निशामय। तत्र प्रविष्टा गोरूपा ऋचो भक्तिमनुव्रताः॥३२॥
“Recognize Pramodavana in its innermost truth as devotion itself. The Vedic hymns entered it in the form of cows, wholly dedicated to bhakti.
Passage 33
गोपालाः सकलास्तत्र देवाश्च ऋषयोऽमलाः। तत्तच्छास्त्रार्थचर्यापदं स्पृशन्तो भक्तिभाविताः॥३३॥
“All the cowherds there were stainless gods and sages. Filled with devotion, they embodied in their conduct the meanings taught by their respective scriptures.
Passage 34
काञ्चिद्गुरोश्च वै धेनूर्विश्वामित्रस्य भूतले। रामः पालितवान्राजन्प्रमोदविपिनान्तरे॥३४॥
“Within Pramodavana, O king, Rāma tended certain cows belonging to his teacher Viśvāmitra upon the earth.
Passage 35
कुन्दवने यथा रेमे श्रीरामः सीतया सह। श्रीनन्दनस्य सुतया तथा रामोऽत्र सुन्दरः॥३५॥
“Just as Śrī Rāma delighted with Sītā in Kundavana, so the beautiful Rāma played here with Śrīnandana’s daughter.
Passage 36
एतद्रहस्यं चरितं सुपावनं रामस्य राजंस्तव पुत्रतापदम्। प्राप्तस्य संप्रोक्तमतीव सुन्दरं मया त्वदग्रे हृदि तद्विधारय॥३६॥
“This deeply sanctifying and beautiful secret deed of Rāma, who accepted the role of your son, has now been told before you, O king. Hold it within your heart.
Passage 37
न वाच्यमिदमन्यस्मै जनाय जनतादृशे। अत्यद्भुतं देवचरितमन्यज्ज्ञानं च लौकिकम्॥३७॥
“It should not be disclosed to an unfit person or to the ordinary crowd. This deed of the Lord is exceedingly wondrous; common worldly understanding is something else entirely.
Passage 38
अक्लिष्टकर्मा भगवान्रघूत्तमस्तवात्मजो यः पुरुषः पुरातनः। न तस्य वीर्यं प्रविदन्ति तत्त्वतो ब्रह्मादयोऽन्यस्य जनस्य का कथा॥३८॥
“Your son, Raghu’s best, is the beginningless Person, the Lord whose actions bring no weariness. Even Brahmā and the other gods do not truly know his power; what then can be said of anyone else?
Passage 39
तवालये सर्वसमृद्धिसंयुते तिष्ठन्नेवायं प्रकाशान्तरेण। तत्रस्थ एव रममाण उच्चैरधिप्रमोदाटवीं संविभाति॥३९॥
“While remaining in your palace endowed with every prosperity, through another manifestation he simultaneously shines and delights supremely in Pramodavana.
Passage 40
मैनं प्रभुं विद्धि नृप स्वमात्मजं मायागुणैः कल्पितभूरिभावम्। अयं हि साक्षात्पुरुषोत्तमोत्तमः श्रीसाकेते योऽनिशं संविभाति॥४०॥
“Do not regard this Lord merely as your son, O king; through Māyā’s qualities he assumes countless relationships. He is directly the highest Supreme Person who shines eternally in glorious Sāketa.
Passage 41
भक्त्या त्वमृष्य परमस्य पुंसो भवोद्भवमगाधमपारमेनम्। क्लेशं तरन्ति भविकाश्च सदा लभन्ते ये स्युः पदाम्बुरुहमस्य परिप्रपन्नाः॥४१॥
“Through devotion you may understand this unfathomable and shoreless mystery of the Supreme Person’s appearance in the world. The devoted who surrender completely to his lotus feet cross suffering and forever attain him.
Passage 42
एतत्ते कारणं प्रोक्तं रामगोचारणे नृप। अवधार्य हृदा नित्यं कृतार्थो भव संततम्॥४२॥
“I have thus explained why Rāma grazed cows, O king. Always hold this truth in your heart and remain perpetually fulfilled.
Passage 43
तत्तादृक्पुण्यमाख्यातं सुन्दरं व्रजमण्डलम्। माङ्गल्यावल्लभो यत्र सुखितः संप्रतिष्ठितः॥४३॥
“Such is the sanctity of the beautiful district of Vraja, where Sukhita, the beloved of Māṅgalyā, is firmly established.
Passage 44
शरदो द्वादशानेन रामेण विहृतं पुरा। सौभाग्यसंपन्ने साक्षाल्लक्ष्मीनिकेतने॥४४॥
“In ancient times Rāma played there for twelve autumns in that place rich with good fortune, the direct abode of Lakṣmī.
Passage 45
वनानि तत्र परितो विभान्ति सुबहून्यपि। तयोर्मध्ये द्वादशैव मुख्यानि रघुभूपते॥४५॥
“Many forests shine throughout that region, ruler of Raghu’s line, but twelve among them are foremost.
Passage 46
येषु श्रीरामचन्द्रस्य तव पुत्रस्य संततम्। पदाम्भोरुहचिह्नानि दृश्यन्ते भक्तिमज्जनैः॥४६॥
“Devotees immersed in bhakti continually behold within them the marks of your son Śrī Rāmacandra’s lotus feet.
Passage 47
नित्यं च कमला यत्र मूर्तिमत्यनुगायति। रामचन्द्रचरित्राणि व्रजदारान्प्रगायतः॥४७॥
“There Lakṣmī eternally appears in embodied form and joins the women of Vraja as they sing Rāmacandra’s deeds.
Passage 48
एकैकं चरितं तत्र रामस्य सुमहात्मनः। परमानन्दसदनं मुनीनामपि मोहनम्॥४८॥
“Each deed of the supremely great Rāma enacted there is an abode of highest bliss and enchants even the sages.
Passage 49
कुञ्जपुञ्जमनोज्ञास्ताः सुपुण्यव्रजभूमयः। क्षणं दृष्ट्वापि नॄणां हरन्ति त्रिजनोऽशुभम्॥४९॥
“Those sacred lands of Vraja, charming with clusters of bowers, remove the misfortune of three generations from anyone who sees them even for a moment.
Passage 50
सरयूजलकल्लोलसमीरणपरिशीतले। व्रजदेशेऽधिवसितुं को नेच्छेत वपुर्धरः॥५०॥
“What embodied being would not wish to dwell in Vraja’s land, cooled by breezes rising from the Sarayū’s rippling waters?
Passage 51
तत्र पुण्यानि तीर्थानि काशीकोटिसमानि वै। तानि कृत्वा जनो मुञ्चेदन्यतीर्थौघवासनाः॥५१॥
“Its holy fords are each equal to ten million Kāśīs. Having visited them, a person gives up every longing for hosts of other pilgrimage places.
Passage 52
प्रथमं मञ्जुलवनं वनानामुत्तमं वनम्। यत्र मञ्जुलवीथीषु विपुलं विमलं सरः॥५२॥
“First is Mañjulavana, the supreme forest among forests. Along its lovely paths lies an immense and stainless lake.
Passage 53
यत्र श्रीः सततं भाति क्रीडन्ती परया मुदा। नित्यं निनादितं नादैस्तस्याश्चरणनूपुरयोः॥५३॥
“There Śrī eternally shines, playing in supreme delight, while the music of her anklets resounds without cease.
Passage 54
तत्र स्नानेन दानेन वैष्णवानां च भोजनैः। सीतारामचन्द्रौ देवौ प्रीयेते नात्र संशयः॥५४॥
“By bathing and giving there and feeding Vaiṣṇavas, one pleases the divine Sītā and Rāmacandra—of this there is no doubt.
Passage 55
कामिकावनमुद्दिष्टं द्वितीयं सर्वकामदम्। यत्र लक्ष्मीकटाक्षेण हरदग्धो मनोभवः॥५५॥
“Second is Kāmikāvana, which grants every desire. There Manobhava, burned by Hara, was restored through Lakṣmī’s sidelong glance.
Passage 56
पुनरङ्गं परिप्राप्य त्रिजगज्जेतुमुद्यतः। तत्र स्वर्णमयीं दत्त्वा प्रतिमां कामदेवताम्॥५६॥
“Regaining his body, the god of love again set out to conquer the three worlds. At that place one should give a golden image of Kāmadeva.
Passage 57
पुनः स्नात्वा विधानेन सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात्। कुर्याच्चैव तिलाज्याभ्यां होमं श्रीरामतुष्टये॥५७॥
“Bathing there according to rule, one obtains every desire; one should also offer sesame and ghee into the sacred fire for Śrī Rāma’s pleasure.
Passage 58
भोजयेद्ब्राह्मणान्भूरि तस्य पुण्यं न गण्यते। तृतीयं तु प्रेमवनं यत्र श्रीव्रजयोषिताम्। रामचन्द्रमुखं दृष्ट्वा प्रेमाविर्भाव आगतः॥५८॥
“One should feed many brāhmaṇas; the resulting merit cannot be measured. Third is Premavana, where love manifested within the women of Vraja when they beheld Rāmacandra’s face.
Passage 59
तत्र स्नानादिना लोको हरेः प्रेमाणमाप्नुयात्। येन प्रेम्णानवाप्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किंचन॥५९॥
“Through bathing and the other rites there, a person obtains love for Hari; through that love nothing in the three worlds remains unattainable.
Passage 60
तुर्यं रसालविपिनं महारसनिकेतनम्। रसैर्भोजयते विप्रान्यस्तत्र हरितुष्टये॥६०॥
“Fourth is the mango forest, abode of supreme rasa. Whoever feeds brāhmaṇas there with delicious nectars for Hari’s satisfaction—
Passage 61
तस्य पुण्यस्य माहात्म्यं मया वक्तुं न शक्यते। यत्र गोचारणे रामः क्षुधितान्गोपबालकान्॥६१॥
“I cannot describe the greatness of that person’s merit. While grazing cows there, Rāma once saw the cowherd boys overcome by hunger.
Passage 62
रसालफलसंदोहैर्योगमायाविनिर्मितैः। कृतवान्भूयसीं तृप्तिं कल्याणगुणभूषणः॥६२॥
“Adorned with every auspicious virtue, he fully satisfied them with abundant mangoes manifested by Yogamāyā.
Passage 63
पुण्यं पवित्रमतुलं महापातकनाशनम्। वनानामुत्तमं स्थानं भक्तानां तद्रसावहम्॥६३॥
“That unequalled and sacred place is the highest among forests, destroys the gravest sins, and carries divine rasa to devotees.
Passage 64
पञ्चमं मन्दारवनं मन्दारद्रुमसंकुलम्। देवदेवीगणाकीर्णं नित्योत्सवनिकेतनम्॥६४॥
“Fifth is Mandāravana, filled with mandāra trees, thronged by gods and goddesses, and the abode of an eternal festival.
Passage 65
स्नानदानविधानेन संततं पापनाशनम्। तत्रस्थपवनस्पर्शात्पूतो भवति मानवः॥६५॥
“Its prescribed bathing and giving perpetually destroy sin. Merely touched by the breeze dwelling there, a person becomes pure.
Passage 66
पारिजातवनं षष्ठं सर्वर्तुसुखसंयुतम्। तत्र गत्वा नरो नित्यं स्नानदानादि यश्चरेत्॥६६॥
“Sixth is Pārijātavana, delightful in every season. A person should go there and regularly perform bathing, giving, and the other observances.
Passage 67
तस्य पुण्यमनन्तं हि मेषेणापि न तत्समम्। तुलाकोटिस्वर्णभारैर्न तत्संभावितं भुवि॥६७॥
“Its merit is endless; not even the rites of the solar month of Meṣa equal it, nor can millions of balance-loads of gold match it upon earth.
Passage 68
सप्तमं कन्दलवनं प्रेमानन्दैककन्दलम्। गीयते यत्र सुन्दर्या दानलीला मनोहरा॥६८॥
“Seventh is Kandalavana, the single tender shoot of love’s bliss, where the beautiful Lady’s enchanting gift-pastime is sung.
Passage 69
तत्र गत्वा नरः स्नायात्स्थले वापि जलेऽमले। वैदिकेभ्यो ब्राह्मणेभ्यो दधिभाण्डानि दापयेत्॥६९॥
“A person should go there and bathe, whether at the site or in its stainless water, and give vessels of yogurt to brāhmaṇas learned in the Veda.
Passage 70
तुलाकोटिसमं पुण्यं जायते नात्र संशयः। स्वर्णादिपात्रमध्ये तु गवां दधि सुधोज्ज्वलम्॥७०॥
“Merit equal to millions of balance-gifts arises—there is no doubt. One should place the cows’ nectar-bright yogurt in a golden or similarly precious vessel—
Passage 71
सदक्षिणं प्रदातव्यं श्रीरामचन्द्रतुष्टये। तस्य पुण्यस्य माहात्म्यं मया वक्तुं न शक्यते॥७१॥
“and give it with a monetary offering for Śrī Rāmacandra’s pleasure. I cannot express the greatness of that merit.
Passage 72
अष्टमं संमदवनं मनःसंमदवर्धनम्। गीयते यत्र सुन्दर्या मौनलीलामहोत्सवः॥७२॥
“Eighth is Saṃmadavana, which increases the heart’s delight. There the great festival of the beautiful Lady’s silent pastime is sung.
Passage 73
तत्र ब्राह्मणवर्येभ्यः पटभूषणभोजनैः। मानयित्वा विशेषेण महत्पुण्यमवाप्नुयात्॥७३॥
“By especially honoring excellent brāhmaṇas there with cloth, ornaments, and food, one obtains immense merit.
Passage 74
नवमं केसरवनं नागकेसरभूषितम्। यत्र स्नात्वा नरः सद्यो गङ्गास्नानसहस्रजम्॥७४॥
“Ninth is Kesaravana, adorned with nāgakesara trees. Bathing there instantly gives the merit born of a thousand baths in the Gaṅgā.
Passage 75
महत्पुण्यमवाप्नोति तथा ब्राह्मणभोजनात्। अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य फलमाप्नोति मानवः॥७५॥
“A person gains immense merit there, and by feeding brāhmaṇas obtains the fruit of a thousand Aśvamedha sacrifices.
Passage 76
दशमं माणिक्यवनं नवमाणिक्यमञ्जुलम्। सदापल्लवितं भाति रामकेलिनिकेतनम्॥७६॥
“Tenth is Māṇikyavana, lovely with fresh jewels, perpetually covered with new leaves, and the abode of Rāma’s play.
Passage 77
यत्र माणिक्यनिवहैर्भान्ति मञ्जरिता द्रुमाः। अनेकवर्णकिरणैर्विचित्रितनभःस्थलाः॥७७॥
“Its flowering trees shine with clusters of jewels whose many-colored rays paint wondrous patterns across the sky.
Passage 78
तत्र माणिक्यदानेन नरः सौभाग्यमाप्नुयात्। सुवर्णकलशो मध्ये दधिदुग्धादिपूरिते॥७८॥
“By giving a jewel there, a person obtains good fortune. In a golden vessel filled with yogurt, milk, and other auspicious substances—
Passage 79
पञ्चरत्नं निधायाथ दद्याद्ब्राह्मणसत्तमे। तत्पुण्यमतुलं येन स्वर्गे लोके महीयते॥७९॥
“one should place five gems and give it to an excellent brāhmaṇa. That unequalled merit brings honor in the heavenly world.
Passage 80
एकादशं पद्मवनं श्रिय एकान्तमन्दिरम्। रेमे सीतापतिर्यत्र महालक्ष्मीनिषेवितः॥८०॥
“Eleventh is Padmavana, Lakṣmī’s secluded sanctuary, where Sītā’s Lord delighted while served by Mahālakṣmī.
Passage 81
भोजयेत्सुबहून्विप्रांस्तत्र शर्करपायसैः। दीर्घसत्रान्मखान्कृत्वा यत्पुण्यं लभते नरः॥८१॥
“One should feed many brāhmaṇas there with sweetened rice pudding. The merit a person earns by performing long sacrificial sessions—
Passage 82
तत्पुण्यं समवाप्नोति तत्क्षणान्नात्र संशयः। एकादश्यां व्रतं कृत्वा द्वादश्यां भोजयेद्द्विजान्॥८२॥
“is gained there in a single moment—of this there is no doubt. One should fast on Ekādaśī and feed brāhmaṇas on Dvādaśī.
Passage 83
पुण्यं सहस्रगुणितं ततोऽपि समवाप्यते। श्रीसीतारामचन्द्रौ च तुष्येतां तेन कर्मणा॥८३॥
“Thereby one obtains merit multiplied a thousandfold, and Śrī Sītā and Rāmacandra are pleased by that deed.
Passage 84
द्वादशं सौरभवनं सदा सुरभिसेवितम्। तत्र पुष्यसरो नाम सरसामुत्तमं सरः॥८४॥
“Twelfth is Saurabhavana, always frequented by the divine cow Surabhi. There lies Puṣyasara, the finest of lakes.
Passage 85
तत्र स्नानेन दानेन नरो मुच्येत किल्विषात्। पूजयेद्विविधैः पुष्पैः सीतारामौ परात्परौ॥८५॥
“Bathing and giving there free a person from sin. One should worship Sītā and Rāma, supreme beyond the supreme, with many kinds of flowers.
Passage 86
कोटियज्ञफलं तेन तत्क्षणाल्लभते नरः। वनानि द्वादशैतानि पुण्यानि मधुराणि च॥८६॥
“A person thereby gains in that very moment the fruit of ten million sacrifices. These are the twelve sacred and delightful forests.
Passage 87
स्नानदानादिविधिभिः सर्वकामप्रदानि च। तावन्त्युपवनान्यत्र कीर्तितानि मनीषिभिः॥८७॥
“Through bathing, giving, and the other rites they grant every desire. The wise also enumerate twelve corresponding secondary groves here.
Passage 88
तत्र स्नानादिविधिभिः कोटियज्ञफलं भवेत्। दद्याच्छ्राद्धानि विधिवत्पितृभ्यस्तत्र तत्र वै॥८८॥
“Bathing and the other observances in those groves produce the fruit of ten million sacrifices. At each one, ancestral śrāddha should be offered according to rule.
Passage 89
गयाश्राद्धसमं पुण्यं तेनाप्नोति पदे पदे। माधुरीकुञ्जमाद्यं स्यान्मल्लीकुञ्जं द्वितीयकम्॥८९॥
“At every step one thereby receives merit equal to śrāddha at Gayā. The first is Mādhurīkuñja and the second Mallīkuñja.
Passage 90
तृतीयं मालतीकुञ्जं यूथीकुञ्जं तुरीयकम्। पञ्चमं लवलीकुञ्जं कालीकुञ्जं च षष्ठकम्॥९०॥
“Third is Mālatīkuñja, fourth Yūthīkuñja, fifth Lavalīkuñja, and sixth Kālīkuñja.
Passage 91
सप्तमं लवङ्गीकुञ्जं केतकीकुञ्जमष्टमम्। नवमं मालिकाकुञ्जं रत्नकुञ्जं ततः परम्॥९१॥
“Seventh is Lavaṅgīkuñja, eighth Ketakīkuñja, ninth Mālikākuñja, and then Ratnakuñja as the tenth.
Passage 92
एकादशं केकिकुञ्जं द्वादशं केलिकुञ्जकम्। एतेषु गमनादेव कोटिसोमफलं लभेत्॥९२॥
“Eleventh is Kekikuñja, the peacock bower, and twelfth is Kelikuñja, the bower of play. Merely visiting these groves yields the fruit of ten million Soma rites.
Passage 93
स्नानदानात्तथा ध्यानाद्रामसायुज्यमाप्नुयात्। सरयूपरितः सर्वा राजते शुद्धभूमयः॥९३॥
“Through bathing, giving, and meditation there, one attains union with Rāma. All these pure lands shine around the Sarayū.
Passage 94
तेषु वैकुण्ठरूपेण विष्णुर्वसति सर्वदा। शुद्धभक्त्या समाराध्य तत्र साक्षाद्रमापतिम्॥९४॥
“Viṣṇu eternally dwells within them in the form of Vaikuṇṭha. By pure devotion one may directly worship there the Lord of Ramā.
Passage 95
भुक्त्वेह विपुलान्भोगानन्ते कैवल्यभाग्भवेत्। अयोध्यापरितो देशे पशुपक्ष्यन्त्यजा अपि॥९५॥
“After enjoying abundant blessings here, one finally shares in liberation. Throughout the country surrounding Ayodhyā, even animals, birds, and those of the lowest social station—
Passage 96
सर्वे चतुर्भुजा ज्ञेया इत्याज्ञा वैदिकी परा। नन्दिग्रामः सदा भाति साक्षान्नित्यं हरेः पदम्॥९६॥
“are to be known as four-armed forms, according to the supreme Vedic decree. Nandigrāma always shines as Hari’s directly manifest eternal abode.
Passage 97
सुखिताख्येन गोपेन नित्यमेव समर्चितम्। पालीग्रामः सदा भाति कोटितीर्थसमाश्रयः॥९७॥
“It is perpetually worshiped by the cowherd named Sukhita. Pālīgrāma also shines, sheltering the power of ten million sacred fords.
Passage 98
श्रीनन्दनो गोपराजो यत्र नित्यं प्रतिष्ठितः। आभीराणां च गोष्ठानि विभान्ति परितस्तयोः॥९८॥
“There Śrīnandana, king of the cowherds, remains eternally established, while the cattle stations of the Ābhīras shine all around the two villages.
Passage 99
यत्रत्या मनुजाः सर्वे देवरूपा न संशयः। मध्ये मञ्जुवटो नाम बहुपादविराजितः॥९९॥
“All the people dwelling there possess divine forms—there is no doubt. In their midst stands the many-branched banyan named Mañjuvaṭa.
Passage 100
नीलकण्ठः स वै साक्षात्तस्य छाया मनोहरा। निषण्णास्तासु गोपाल्यो गायन्ति श्रीहरेर्यशः॥१००॥
“That tree is directly Nīlakaṇṭha, and its shade is enchanting. Seated beneath it, the cowherd women sing Śrī Hari’s glory.
Passage 101
तद्गाननादमुदिताः कृष्णसाराः समन्ततः। तथैव सोमसवनो रामरासवटः शुभः॥१०१॥
“Black deer all around rejoice at the sound of their singing. There also stand the Soma-savana tree and the auspicious Rāma-rāsa banyan.
Passage 102
देवैः संप्रार्थितो रामो यत्र नाट्यमचीकरत्। तथा रामवटो नाम स्निग्धच्छायामनोरमः॥१०२॥
“At the gods’ request Rāma performed a dance there. The delightful Rāmavaṭa, whose shade is soft and cooling, stands there too.
Passage 103
सीतावटश्च सततं प्रोद्भाति रुचिरोच्छ्रयः। तथास्थाणुवटो नित्यं विभाति नवपल्लवैः॥१०३॥
“The graceful and lofty Sītāvaṭa shines continually, while Sthāṇuvaṭa always glows with fresh leaves.
Passage 104
एते पञ्चवटाः पुण्याः साक्षात्कल्पद्रुमाधिकाः। तेषां छायामुपाश्रित्य भवतापो निवर्तते॥१०४॥
“These five sacred banyans surpass even the wish-fulfilling trees. Taking shelter in their shade ends the burning affliction of worldly existence.
Passage 105
तत्र संपूजयेद्देवं राघवं सीतया सह। भोजयेद्बहुशो विप्रान्सिताज्यबहुपायसैः॥१०५॥
“There one should fully worship divine Rāghava together with Sītā and feed many brāhmaṇas abundant rice pudding enriched with sugar and ghee.
Passage 106
यथोदितेन विधिना दद्याद्गाश्च पयस्विनीः। लभते मानवः पुण्यं मेरुशैलशताधिकम्॥१०६॥
“According to the prescribed procedure, one should give milk-giving cows. A person thereby gains merit exceeding a hundred Mount Merus.
Passage 107
राजते तत्र रत्नाद्रिः साक्षाद्रत्नमयो गिरिः। यस्य छायां समाश्रित्य सरयूः शीतलोदका॥१०७॥
“Ratnādri shines there, a mountain formed entirely of jewels. The cool-watered Sarayū rests beneath its shadow.
Passage 108
तथा सौगन्धिको नाम गिरिराजः प्रतिष्ठितः। तयोर्विधाय मनुजः प्रादक्षिण्यं विशेषतः॥१०८॥
“The mountain king named Saugandhika is also established there. A person who devoutly circumambulates those two mountains—
Passage 109
पृथ्वीप्रदक्षिणापुण्यं लभते नात्र संशयः। एकादश्यां वा द्वादश्याममायां पूर्णिमादिने॥१०९॥
“gains the merit of circumambulating the entire earth—there is no doubt. This should be done on Ekādaśī, Dvādaśī, the new moon, or the full-moon day.
Passage 110
रत्नाचलं परिक्रम्य पृथ्वीदानफलं लभेत्। रत्नाद्रिं संपरिक्रम्य स्नात्वा श्रीरामकुण्डके॥११०॥
“Circumambulating Ratnācala gives the fruit of donating the earth. After circling Ratnādri and bathing in Śrī Rāmakuṇḍa—
Passage 111
सरयूं वावगाह्याथ पुनर्जन्म न विद्यते। सौगन्धिकं महाशैलं रामकेलीनिकेतनम्। संपूज्य लक्ष्मीरमणं जीवन्मुक्तो भवेद्ध्रुवम्॥१११॥
“or immersing oneself in the Sarayū, one is never born again. At the great Saugandhika mountain, abode of Rāma’s play, one should fully worship Lakṣmī’s Lord and thereby certainly become liberated while living.
Passage 112
गत्वा द्वादश काननेषु परितः प्रेम्णा परिक्रामयन् स्नात्वा चाधिकवासरेषु सलिले पूर्णे स्थले वा जले। ध्यात्वा गोपवधूविहाररसिकं रामाभिधानं महः प्राप्नोति द्रुतमश्वमेधनिवहैर्यत्पुण्यमुच्चैर्जनः॥११२॥
“One should lovingly visit and circle all twelve forests, bathe on especially sacred days wherever water fills the pools, and meditate on the radiance named Rāma, connoisseur of pastimes with the cowherd women. One then quickly gains the exalted merit produced by hosts of Aśvamedha sacrifices.
Passage 113
तमसामवगाह्याथ वनमालाविभूषिताम्। मुनीनां यज्ञवाटांश्च दृष्ट्वा पुण्यनिधिर्भवेत्॥११३॥
“One should next bathe in the Tamasā, adorned like a forest garland. By seeing the sages’ sacrificial enclosures, one becomes a treasury of merit.
Passage 114
अयोध्यायामादिलिङ्गं गौरीकान्तं महेश्वरम्। अन्यानि चैव लिङ्गानि परितः सन्ति यानि वै॥११४॥
“In Ayodhyā stands the primordial liṅga of Maheśvara, beloved of Gaurī, along with other liṅgas situated throughout the surrounding region.
Passage 115
तानि संस्पृष्ट्वा च दृष्ट्वा च तीर्थयात्राफलं लभेत्। तथा चण्डीं भगवतीं संपूज्य विधिवन्नरः॥११५॥
“Touching and seeing them gives the fruit of pilgrimage. A person should also worship the goddess Caṇḍī completely according to rule.
Passage 116
स्नात्वा लक्ष्मणकुण्डे च कुण्डे सन्नामनिर्मिते। स्नात्वा दत्त्वा च दानानि तीर्थयात्राफलं लभेत्॥११६॥
“One should bathe in Lakṣmaṇakuṇḍa and in the adjoining named pool. By bathing and making gifts, one obtains the fruit of a complete pilgrimage.
Passage 117
रामघट्टे नरः स्नात्वा स्वर्गद्वारेण मानवः। श्राद्धं दत्त्वा पितृप्रीत्यै सर्वं फलमवाप्नुयात्॥११७॥
“A person should bathe at Rāmaghaṭṭa and Svargadvāra and offer śrāddha for the ancestors’ satisfaction; one thereby receives every fruit.
Passage 118
हनुमन्तं च सुग्रीवं लक्ष्मणं च विभीषणम्। अयोध्याकोतपालांश्च प्रातरुत्थाय यः स्मरेत्॥११८॥
“Whoever rises in the morning and remembers Hanumān, Sugrīva, Lakṣmaṇa, Vibhīṣaṇa, and Ayodhyā’s guardian deities—
Passage 119
कल्याणं समवाप्नोति दुःस्वप्नादींश्च नाशयेत्। एवं यो वर्तयेन्नित्यमाजन्म सुकृती भवेत्॥११९॥
“obtains well-being and destroys nightmares and similar evils. Whoever follows this discipline daily becomes meritorious for the rest of life.
Passage 120
पुरीणामथ सप्तानामयोध्या मूर्ध्नि मणिः। यस्याः स्मरणमात्रेण ब्रह्महत्यादि नाशयेत्॥१२०॥
“Among the seven sacred cities, Ayodhyā is the jewel upon the crown. Merely remembering her destroys the sin of brahminicide and every related evil.” Thus ends Chapter 102, “Daśaratha’s pilgrimage,” in the Pūrva-khaṇḍa of the glorious Ādi Rāmāyaṇa, within the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍi. Source note This treatment is controlled against the 1975 Sanskrit–Hindi edition, Pūrva khaṇḍa, source leaves 615–625 (physical PDF pages 616–626; printed pages 484–494). OCR supplied the alignment layer, while the scan controlled the chapter boundary, speaker changes, proper names, the twelve forests and twelve groves, the five banyans, and the colophon. The printed passage sequence runs continuously from 1 through 120; OCR omissions and false duplicate detections were resolved against the scan without altering the edition’s sequence.