Passage 1
धन्योऽसि गोपनृपते तव भाग्यसीमा नो शक्यते बुधवरैरपि चाधिगन्तुम्। यद्दुर्लभं सुरवरैरपि योगिमुख्यैस्तत्ते फलं भगवता स्वयमेव दत्तम्॥१॥
“Blessed are you, ruler of the cowherds. Even the wisest cannot reach the limit of your good fortune. The Lord himself has given you the fruit that is unattainable even for the foremost gods and greatest yogis.
Passage 2
नूनं तथैव सदने प्रणयेन बद्धो रामो रमापतिरशेषसुखाब्धिरास्ते। केलीः कदापि कलयन् प्रकटः कदाचिद् गुप्ताः स्वयं स भगवानणिमादिबन्धः॥२॥
“Surely Rāma, Lord of Ramā and the ocean of all delight, remains bound by love within your home. The Lord who commands aṇimā and the other perfections sometimes performs his sports openly and sometimes in secret.
Passage 3
भूयोऽपि नः सखे ब्रूहि रामस्यैव शुभान् गुणान्। मुहुर्मुहुः श्रवणेनैव कृतार्थं जगतीजनुः॥३॥
“Friend, tell us still more of Rāma's auspicious virtues. By hearing them again and again, birth in this world finds its fulfillment.
Passage 4
बाल्यपौगण्डकैशोरशुभे वयसि शोभितः। यच्चकार स्ववीर्येण गुप्तः श्रीलक्ष्मणाग्रजः॥४॥
“Tell what Śrī Lakṣmaṇa's elder brother, hidden from common sight and glorious in the blessed ages of childhood, boyhood, and adolescence, accomplished by his own power.
Passage 5
पदानि तानि नश्चक्षुःप्रमोदाय प्रदर्शय। येषु येषु स्थितो रामः सुखेन भवतां व्रजे॥५॥
“For the delight of our eyes, show us each of those places where Rāma happily stayed within your Vraja. Sukhita said:
Passage 6
कच्चित्त्वमुत्कलिकयातिसमाकुलोऽसि कच्चिद्रसेन सहजेन वशीकृतोऽसि। यन्मां नियोजयसि मित्र मुहुर्मुहुस्तत्संकीर्तने सुरवधूश्रवणाभिरामे॥६॥
“Friend, are you overwhelmed by intense longing? Has innate rasa brought you under its sway? For you repeatedly engage me in celebrating an account delightful even to the ears of celestial women.
Passage 7
सुपर्वाणः शश्वत्त्रिदिवपुरवामाधरपुटी- सुधाहेलावन्तः सुविहितसुधानादरधियः। रमन्ते रामस्याप्रमितरससंवाहिनि सदा गुणव्रातस्रोतस्यतिशयितसंमोदविवशाः॥७॥
“The gods forever sport in the flowing stream of Rāma's virtues, which carries immeasurable rasa. Overcome by extraordinary delight, their minds lose concern even for the nectar play found upon the lips of heaven's women.
Passage 8
पश्यन् सखे व्रजपदानि सुखावहानि भर्तुर्वशीकरणकारणसौभगानि। संस्नाहि साधु रसवाहिनि रामचन्द्रप्रेमामृतद्रवसरस्यवगाहय गाढम्॥८॥
“Behold, friend, these joy-bearing places of Vraja whose beauty brings the Lord under love's sway. Bathe deeply in this flowing lake of rasa, filled with the liquid nectar of love for Rāmacandra.
Passage 9
पश्येमा विपिनस्थलीर्नवदलश्रेणीमिलन्मञ्जरी- पुञ्जारञ्जितमञ्जुकुञ्जलतिकालावण्यलक्ष्मीजुषः। कूजत्कोकिलकाकलीकलकलक्रुद्धप्रबुद्धस्मर- क्रीडाकृष्टधनुर्गुणध्वनितुलाझङ्कारिमञ्जालयः॥९॥
“See these forest grounds, rich in beauty: rows of fresh leaves mingle with clusters of buds, coloring lovely bowers and vines. The swelling music of cooing cuckoos awakens Love, and their charming recesses ring like the string of his bow drawn taut for play.
Passage 10
अत्र द्वादश कुञ्जभूमय इमाः कामस्य केलीगुहा- स्तत्पूजाप्रवणत्वतो रसनिधिर्यासु प्रविष्टः पुरा। आदित्यानुजमात्मनः प्रणयिनं गोधोरणीचारणे विस्तार्य स्फुटमाधिदैविकगुणैः कालं कलानां निधिः॥१०॥
“Here are twelve bower lands, secret caves for Love's sports. The treasury of rasa once entered them, inclined toward honoring Love, and while grazing the rows of cows the Lord of arts passed the time with his beloved companion, unfolding manifest divine qualities.
Passage 11
एतास्तच्चरितस्थलीः प्रतिपदं पूताः पदैरङ्किताः क्रीडां यासु चकार कार्मुककरः सिंहादिदुर्जीवहा। गोपानां शिशुभिश्चकार सहितः सम्यक्फलास्वादनात् तृप्तो वंशिरवं समस्तजगतीसंमोहनार्थं दधत्॥११॥
“These are the grounds of his deeds, purified at every step by the marks of his feet. Here the bow-bearing Lord who slew fierce beings such as lions played with the cowherd boys, tasted fruits to his full satisfaction, and sounded his flute to enchant the entire world.
Passage 12
एतत्स्थलं महाराज यत्र रामः शिशुत्वतः। बदरीफलमास्वाद्य कुपथ्यं रहसि स्थितः॥१२॥
“Great king, this is the place where, while still a child, Rāma secretly ate jujube fruit that was considered unsuitable for him.
Passage 13
तदा निवेदितं गोपबालैः श्रुत्वा सतर्जनम्। निषिषेध करे कृत्वा कुपिता मत्कुटुम्बिनी॥१३॥
“The cowherd boys reported it. Hearing them, my wife became angry, seized his hand, scolded him, and forbade him to eat it.
Passage 14
नाहं बभक्षेति प्रोच्य व्यादाय वदनं स्थितः। सा तन्मुखपुटेऽपश्यद् ब्रह्माण्डरचनामिमाम्॥१४॥
“Saying, ‘I did not eat it,’ he stood with his mouth opened wide. Within that little mouth she saw the structure of the entire universe.
Passage 15
भूतं भवद्भविष्यच्च त्रिधाकालाश्रितं जगत्। तद्विलोक्य चकम्पे सा मेने मायामिवात्मनि॥१५॥
“She saw the world resting in the three divisions of time—past, present, and future. At the sight she trembled and wondered whether it was a vision of māyā within herself.
Passage 16
क्षणाद्विस्मृतवृत्ता च प्रणयाधीनमानसा। अपाययत् स्तनं तस्मादङ्कमारोप्य लालनैः॥१६॥
“In a moment she forgot what had happened, for her mind was ruled by maternal love. Lifting him onto her lap and caressing him, she gave him her breast.
Passage 17
जगदघहरणं चरित्रमस्य प्रकृतिमनोहररूपवैभवस्य। श्रुतिपथमुपयातमात्रमन्तः परिपवनं च मदादिदोषराजेः॥१७॥
“The deeds of this Lord, whose natural beauty enchants the heart, remove the world's sins. The moment they enter the path of hearing, they purify the heart of the whole host of faults headed by pride.
Passage 18
मनुज इह यथा यथा शृणोति प्रसभमरोचकमस्य संक्षिणोति। कलयति च तथा तथा पटुत्वं परतरसूक्ष्मपदार्थवेदनाय॥१८॥
“The more a person hears these deeds, the more forcefully they destroy his lack of spiritual taste, and the more capable he becomes of understanding the subtlest truths of the Highest.
Passage 19
इमानि तानि स्थानानि येषु श्रीलक्ष्मणादिभिः। बालकेलीं व्यधत्तासौ विविधामात्मरञ्जनीम्॥१९॥
“These are the places where he performed varied childhood games that delighted his own heart together with Śrī Lakṣmaṇa and the others.
Passage 20
केचित्सर्वे बाला कृतपणनकौतूहलपरा वितन्वन्तोऽन्योन्यं किमपि जयवार्तां प्रतिगणम्। जयो तेषां मध्ये रमणकुतुकी राम उदगात् समस्तानां धैर्ये परमरसविस्तारचतुरः॥२०॥
“Some boys, eager with curiosity after making wagers, divided into groups and exchanged boasts of victory. Rāma, eager for play and expert in expanding the highest rasa while sustaining everyone's courage, entered their midst and won.
Passage 21
क्वचित् पर्वे च गोपाला वेणूनेकपदे लघु। रणयाञ्चक्रुरत्यर्थं कन्दराद्विगुणध्वनीन्॥२१॥
“In one place upon the mountain, the cowherds lightly played their flutes upon a single note, and the caves returned the music with doubled resonance.
Passage 22
क्वचित् सर्वे मल्लयुद्धं कुर्वन्तोऽन्योन्यमुच्चकैः। जये पराजये चैव कौतुकं सुमहद्दधुः॥२२॥
“Elsewhere they all wrestled vigorously with one another and found immense amusement in both victory and defeat.
Passage 23
क्वचित् पक्षिगिरः सर्वे क्वचित् पशुगिरो वने। कूजन्तो रम्भमाणाश्च चिक्रीडुर्लक्ष्मणादयः॥२३॥
“In one part of the forest Lakṣmaṇa and the others imitated the voices of birds; elsewhere they played by lowing like animals.
Passage 24
ता एता वनवीथयः सतिमिराः सान्द्रैस्तमालद्रुमै- र्वल्लीमण्डपमण्डिता अपिहिताः कुञ्जाः कुटीकोटरैः। यासु क्रीडितमक्षिमुद्रणकरैः कौतूहलेनार्भकै- रन्योन्यं व्रजगोडुहां रसवशैस्तेषां तु रामो वरः॥२४॥
“These forest paths are shadowed by dense tamāla trees, adorned with vine pavilions, and hidden by bowers, cottages, and hollows. There the cowherd children played exciting games of covering their eyes with their hands; among those boys governed by rasa, Rāma was foremost.
Passage 25
क्वचिद्वन्यफलक्षेपैः क्वचिदुत्प्लुत्य केलिभिः। क्वचित्करतलास्फोटैः क्वचित्कुसुमकन्दुकैः॥२५॥
“In one place they threw wild fruits, elsewhere they played at leaping; here they clapped their hands, and there they tossed balls made of flowers.
Passage 26
ता एताः पश्य राजेन्द्र सान्द्राः काननवीथिकाः। उत्फुल्लमल्लिकावल्लीसौरभेण समावृताः॥२६॥
“King of kings, see these dense forest paths, enveloped in the fragrance of flowering jasmine vines.
Passage 27
वत्सचारणमेतासु सरयूतटभूमिषु। चक्रे रामो रमणकृन्नन्दयन् हृदयानि नः॥२७॥
“Upon these lands beside the Sarayū, playful Rāma herded the calves and filled our hearts with delight.
Passage 28
एतासु सरयूकूलभूमीषु नृपसत्तम। गोचारणक्रियादक्षो विजह्रे लोकमङ्गलः॥२८॥
“Best of kings, upon these riverbank lands the blessing of the worlds sported, expert in the work of tending the cows.
Passage 29
एतेषु रत्नगिरिरम्यशिलातलेषु गोचारणश्रमित एत्य सुखाय रामः। मध्याह्नकालकरणीयमुपास्य भोज्यं रेमे समानवयसां निषधेः शिशूनाम्॥२९॥
“Wearied from cow-herding, Rāma came for rest upon these lovely stone terraces of the jeweled mountain. After performing the midday observance and eating, he played among gatherings of boys his own age.
Passage 30
वीक्ष्य मध्याह्नमासन्नं कृपया मत्कुटुम्बिनी। गोपैः संप्रेषयामास विश्वस्तैर्भोज्यवस्तुषु॥३०॥
“Seeing midday draw near, my compassionate wife sent food through trusted cowherds.
Passage 31
कामा धामा रमा पद्मा लोला झोला सरस्वती। इरावती पार्वती च नवैताः पाककारिकाः॥३१॥
“Kāmā, Dhāmā, Ramā, Padmā, Lolā, Jholā, Sarasvatī, Irāvatī, and Pārvatī were the nine cooks.
Passage 32
रामस्य रुच्यं रसनीयमन्नं पचन्ति सम्यक्कमनीयमेव। तद्रत्नपात्रेषु निधाय नित्यं मुद्राङ्कितं संप्रहिणोति गोपी॥३२॥
“They perfectly prepared lovely, flavorful food pleasing to Rāma. The cowherd lady placed it in jeweled vessels, sealed them, and sent them each day.
Passage 33
समुपस्कृत्य चान्नानि चतुर्धा रसवन्ति च। गोपालिकाकरानीतान्यत्ति रामः सलक्ष्मणः॥३३॥
“Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa ate the savory foods prepared in four forms and brought in the hands of the cowherd maidens.
Passage 34
भरतश्चैव शत्रुघ्नः सखायो वृषभादयः। अश्नन्ति स्वादुकारेण पात्रेष्वन्नं चतुर्विधम्॥३४॥
“Bharata, Śatrughna, and friends such as Vṛṣabha likewise ate the delicious fourfold meal from their vessels.
Passage 35
शिलासु पत्रेषु फलेषु चैव पात्रेषु हेमेषु च मृत्तिकेषु। चतुर्विधं स्वादुमुपस्कृतं तं संभोज्य भारं बुभुजे वयस्यैः॥३५॥
“Food was served upon stones, leaves, and fruits, and in vessels of gold and clay. Rāma shared the delicious fourfold preparations with his companions and ate to satisfaction.
Passage 36
गोपबालकमण्डलमण्डितः सभरतः सहलक्ष्मणशत्रुहृत्। विमलरत्नविभूषणभूषितो विरतितामितलासकुतूहलः॥३६॥
“Encircled by groups of cowherd boys and accompanied by Bharata, Lakṣmaṇa, and Śatrughna, he shone in flawless jeweled ornaments, his inexhaustible eagerness for play never ceasing.
Passage 37
अध्युपत्यकमधिष्ठितो गिरेर्बालकेलिकलितश्रमः स्वयम्। मण्डलानि विनिबध्य गोदुहां बालकः स शुशुभे मणीन्द्रवत्॥३७॥
“Having climbed to the mountain's lower slope, the divine child rested from his games. Forming circles among the cowherd boys, he shone like the king of gems.
Passage 38
फलानि रुच्यानि सहात्र भूरिप्रकारवर्यैः शिशुभिः समृद्नन्। अशेषयज्ञेश उदारहासः स यज्ञभुक् क्रीडति रामचन्द्रः॥३८॥
“Together with the children, he enjoyed many excellent kinds of delicious fruit. Rāmacandra, the generous-smiling enjoyer and Lord of every sacrifice, played there.
Passage 39
एवं समाप्याशनकेलिमेष प्रसन्नधीर्नागदलान्वितास्यः। सुरञ्जितोष्ठः शयने दलानां निषीदतिस्मावृतमण्डपेषु॥३९॥
“When this playful meal was complete, he sat upon a bed of leaves within an enclosed pavilion, serene at heart, betel leaf in his mouth and his lips beautifully reddened.
Passage 40
केचिद् गोपकुमारकाः सुकृतिनो वीणास्वनं दध्वनुः किञ्चित्किञ्चिदुदञ्चिपञ्चमरवाः स्तेनुः परे मूर्च्छनाः। किञ्चित्तस्य सरोजपल्लवमृदु श्रीमत्पदाब्जद्वयं प्रेम्णा संववृजुः परे व्यजनजैर्वातैः प्रभुं भेजिरे॥४०॥
“Some fortunate cowherd boys sounded vīṇās; others raised pentatonic notes and unfolded melodic modes. Some lovingly massaged his glorious lotus feet, soft as fresh lotus shoots, while others served the Lord with breezes from their fans.
Passage 41
ततश्चतुर्थे प्रहरे दिनस्य शुभाय सर्वव्रजवासिनां नृणाम्। येनाध्वनोपाववृते तमेतं पश्यन्मनो निर्वृतिमृच्छ राजन्॥४१॥
“Then, in the fourth watch of the day, he returned by this path for the welfare of all who dwelt in Vraja. Look upon it, king, and let your heart find repose.
Passage 42
गोचारस्य प्रथमदिवसे सोदरस्ताडकायाश्- चण्डो नाम्ना बहुभुजबलो राक्षसः क्रूरकर्मा। येऽन्येऽनेके विविधवपुषो राक्षसा बद्धकक्षा रामेणैते सपदि निहता बाधका गोधनस्य॥४२॥
“On the first day of cow-herding, the cruel many-armed demon Caṇḍa, brother of Tāḍakā, attacked. Rāma immediately slew him and many other demons of varied forms who stood ready to harm the cattle.
Passage 43
तेषां मुखोद्गतं तेजो ज्वलदुल्कासमाकृतिः। व्यलीयत हरे रामे साक्षात्कारणमानुषे॥४३॥
“The radiance that emerged from their mouths, shaped like blazing meteors, merged into Rāma, Hari himself appearing directly in human form as the primal cause.
Passage 44
गाश्चारयित्वा विपिनात्सन्निवृत्तो रोचिः सौम्यं विभ्रदश्रौघनीलम्। गोसंदोहं स्वाग्रतः कल्पयित्वा रेजे रामो लक्ष्मणाद्यैरुपेतः॥४४॥
“Having grazed the cows, Rāma returned from the forest, bearing a gentle dark radiance. With the herd arranged before him and Lakṣmaṇa and the others at his side, he shone splendidly.
Passage 45
गायन्तश्च हसन्तश्च खेलन्तश्चारुकेलिभिः। वादयन्तश्च शृङ्गाणि रेजिरे सुहृदोऽखिलाः॥४५॥
“All his friends shone as they sang, laughed, engaged in charming play, and sounded their cow horns.
Passage 46
तेषां मध्येऽभिनव्याम्बुदरुचिरतनुः पीतकौशेयधारी। गुञ्जाबर्हाभिरामो मृगमदतिलकी कुण्डलोद्द्योतिगण्डः। वन्यैः पुष्पैरनेकैः स्रजमुरसि दधल्लिप्तधातुद्रवाङ्को। विश्रद्वंशीनिनादं नट इव शुशुभे अल्लकक्षापिधानः॥४६॥
“Amid them, his lovely body resembled a fresh raincloud and he wore yellow silk. Guñjā berries and peacock feathers charmed his form, a musk tilaka marked his brow, and earrings illuminated his cheeks. A garland of many forest flowers lay upon his chest, his limbs bore designs painted with mineral pigments, and, his garment gracefully bound, he shone like a dancer while spreading the clear music of his flute.
Passage 47
हसन् हासयन् गोडुहामेव बालान् ध्वनन् ध्वानयन् वंशिकां लक्ष्मणाद्यैः। व्रजप्राणदः शोणिपद्माङ्घ्रियुग्मोऽसौ रामचन्द्रो वनादाजगाम॥४७॥
“Laughing and making the cowherd boys laugh, playing his flute and prompting Lakṣmaṇa and the others to play, Rāmacandra came from the forest. His paired feet were red lotuses, and he gave life to Vraja.
Passage 48
स्वस्वप्रासादमौलीन् सुखमधिरुरुहुः सस्मिता वामनेत्रा निर्वर्त्य वासरोत्थं श्रममयि सुहृदः सादरास्तस्य दृक्षु। दूराद् वंशीविषाणध्वनिजनितजवाहिस्मृताशेषकृत्याः जातोद्वेगा इवाङ्गाभरणपटविपर्यासविन्यासवत्यः॥४८॥
“The smiling, lovely-eyed women climbed happily to the roofs of their own palaces. Their day's fatigue vanished as they lovingly fixed their eyes upon their friend. Hearing the flute and horn from afar, they forgot every duty and, agitated by longing, placed garments and ornaments upon their bodies in confused and reversed arrangements.
Passage 49
तासां वक्त्रेन्दुबिम्बैर्गगनतलमभूत् सर्वतोऽङ्कावकीर्णं सन्ध्यारागारुणाभिर्मिलिततनुरुचा विद्युदाभा विरेजुः। आलिङ्गन्त्यः समन्तात्प्रियतममसकृत्क्षिप्तनेत्रान्तभागै- स्तारुण्योद्वेलितास्ताः सरित इव ह्रिया नैव रुद्धा गुरूणाम्॥४९॥
“The sky seemed covered everywhere with the moon-discs of their faces, and their forms, reddened by sunset's glow, flashed like lightning. Again and again they embraced their beloved from every side with the corners of their cast glances. Swelling with youth like rivers in flood, they were scarcely restrained by modesty or their elders.
Passage 50
रामोऽपि ताः सविनयं नयनान्तप्रोतप्रेमोदयः प्रहितसर्वविधप्रमोदः। संवीक्ष्य सादरमनङ्गरसेन सर्वा गोष्ठं विवेश जननीनयनाभिरामः॥५०॥
“Rāma too looked respectfully upon them all with the rasa of divine Love, sending every kind of delight as affection arose from the corners of his eyes. Then he entered the cowherd settlement, enchanting his mother's eyes.
Passage 51
तं मत्कुटुम्बनिधिरेत्य निपीय वक्त्रं संचुम्ब्य बिम्बमधुराधरमास्यचन्द्रम्। आरात्रिकेन विधिना प्रणयार्द्रभावा चक्रेऽह्न्यां प्रबलवत्सलभाववश्या॥५१॥
“My wife, the treasure of our household, came to him and drank in his face with her eyes. She kissed the bimba-sweet lips of that moonlike face and, her heart softened by love and mastered by powerful maternal affection, performed the evening ārati.
Passage 52
इत्येवमेव मदनायुतकोटिरूपमाधुर्यसारजलधिः प्रतिवासरं सः। गोचारणं च दितिजासुरमर्दनं च चक्रे व्रजस्य च सुखं सुखदायिशीलः॥५२॥
“Thus every day he—the ocean holding the essence of beauty surpassing countless millions of Love-gods—grazed the cows, crushed demons born of Diti, and, true to his joy-giving nature, brought happiness to Vraja.
Passage 53
तमथोद्वर्तयाञ्चक्रे सुस्निग्धा मत्कुटुम्बिनी। उत्सौरभेण पङ्गेन भृता गुरुनाभिना॥५३॥
“My tender-hearted wife then rubbed his body with a rich aromatic paste, abundant in fragrance and prepared with costly perfume.
Passage 54
उष्णोदकैः स्नापयित्वा सारवेगैः ससौरभैः। विमुक्ताध्वश्रमं पश्चाद् भोजयामास सा सुतम्॥५४॥
“She bathed her son with streams of warm, fragrant water, freed him from the fatigue of the road, and afterward gave him his meal.
Passage 55
उद्वर्तितस्नातनिषण्णभुक्तनिर्भुक्तताम्बूलदलस्य तस्य। सा कारयाञ्चक्र उपासिनीभिश्चित्रालये कामपि रङ्गशय्याम्॥५५॥
“Once he had been massaged, bathed, seated, fed, and had enjoyed betel leaves, she had her attendants prepare an indescribably lovely colored bed for him in the picture chamber. Colophon इति श्रीमदादिरामायणे ब्रह्मभुशुण्डसंवादे पूर्वखण्डे महाराजतीर्थयात्रायां व्रजागमने पञ्चदशाधिकशततमोऽध्यायः॥ ११५ ॥ “Thus ends Chapter 115 of the Pūrva-khaṇḍa, ‘The Return to Vraja,’ within the great king's pilgrimage in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍi in the venerable Ādi Rāmāyaṇa.” Source control note Chapter 115 occupies registered source leaves 797–802 of the Pūrva-khaṇḍa volume (physical PDF pages 798–803) and contains 55 numbered passages. The chapter begins on the page after Chapter 114's colophon and ends above the opening of Chapter 116. All six pages were reviewed directly against the scan in batches of no more than two high-resolution renders, and every passage has a continuous heading, matching Sanskrit terminator, and fresh English rendering.