Passage 1
इदं च विपिनं राजन्नशोकद्रुमशोभितम्। नानावन्यद्रुमाकीर्णं पूतं रामाङ्घ्रिरेणुभिः॥१॥
“King, this woodland shines with aśoka trees. Filled with many kinds of wild trees, it was sanctified by the dust of Rāma’s feet.
Passage 2
अत्र विज्ञाय गोचारमनादृत्य मुनीश्वराः। ज्ञाततत्त्वास्तत्कृपया पश्चाच्छरणमाययुः॥२॥
“The great sages here disregarded him when they learned that he was tending cows. Later, through his grace, they recognized the truth and came for refuge.
Passage 3
याज्ञवल्क्यो भरद्वाजो गौतमोऽत्रिस्तथाङ्गिराः। शाण्डिल्यो वरतन्तुश्च कौत्सः शातातपो भृगुः॥३॥
“There were Yājñavalkya, Bharadvāja, Gautama, Atri, Aṅgiras, Śāṇḍilya, Varatantu, Kautsa, Śātātapa, Bhṛgu,
Passage 4
अन्ये च मुनयस्तत्र सरय्वास्तीरवासिनः। महत्सत्रमुपासीनाः केचिच्च क्रतुकारिणः॥४॥
“and other sages who lived on the Sarayū’s bank. Some were engaged in a great, long sacrificial session, while others were performing individual rites.
Passage 5
अधितस्थुर्मुनिश्रेष्ठाः सर्वे प्रमुदकानने। अशोकवनवाटान्ते कर्मतन्त्रक्रियाकुलाः॥५॥
“All those eminent sages remained in Pramoda Forest, at the edge of the Aśoka grove’s enclosure, wholly occupied with the procedures prescribed for ritual acts.
Passage 6
अथ गोचारणं कर्तुं रामो गोष्ठाद्विनिर्गतः। तुल्यवेशैर्वृतो गोपैर्गोपवेशविभूषितः॥६॥
“Then Rāma left the cowherd settlement to graze the cattle. Adorned in a cowherd’s attire, he was surrounded by cowherds dressed like him.
Passage 7
गुञ्जावर्हवरावतंसमकराकारस्फुरत्कुण्डल- श्रीमद्रत्नमहाहारमौक्तिकवरस्रङ्मेखलाभूषितः। विद्युत्पीतदुकूलभृन्नवघनश्रीर्मल्लकक्षाञ्चितो गोष्ठादेव पुरः स्फुरत्पशुकुलो वेणुं रणन्निर्ययौ॥७॥
“Wearing a splendid guñjā-and-peacock-feather ornament, flashing makara-shaped earrings, magnificent jewels, great pearls, a fine garland and girdle, he was clothed in lightning-yellow silk. With the beauty of a new rain cloud and his cowherd’s sash fastened, he came from the settlement playing his flute while the shining herd moved before him.
Passage 8
तमन्वयुर्गोपवराः समन्तादनेकनामान उदारचित्ताः। शिखावलैरावतमेघवर्णसुकण्ठमालाधरवञ्जुलाद्याः॥८॥
“Noble-hearted, excellent cowherds followed him on every side—Śikhāvala, Airāvata, Meghavarṇa, Sukaṇṭhamāla, Dhara, Vañjula, and many others.
Passage 9
ते सर्वे विविशुर्गोपाः प्रमोदविपिनं महत्। समन्ततः कुसुमितं पुष्पस्तबकचित्रितम्॥९॥
“All the cowherds entered the great Pramoda woodland, flowering everywhere and variegated with clusters of blossoms.
Passage 10
कूजद्विचित्रद्विजनादमञ्जुलं मयूरकेकारवभूरिघोषितम्। समोदमत्तभ्रमरालिगानवत्समुल्लसत्कोकिलकाकलीयुतम्॥१०॥
“It was charming with the cries of many calling birds, resounded abundantly with peacocks’ calls, carried the song of rows of bees maddened by fragrance, and rang with the bright, sweet notes of cuckoos.
Passage 11
प्रमोदवनमध्ये तु सहजावनमद्भुतम्। तत्र प्रवालबर्हादिभूषणैस्तमभूषयन्॥११॥
“Within Pramoda Forest lay the wondrous Sahajā grove. There his companions adorned him with tender shoots, peacock feathers, and other ornaments.
Passage 12
ततो दूरं गताः सर्वे गवां पृष्ठेषु संयताः। अतीत्य रत्नाद्रिद्रोणीमशोकवनमाययुः॥१२॥
“Then, keeping close behind the cows, they all went far onward. Crossing the valley of Ratna Mountain, they reached the Aśoka grove.
Passage 13
ग्रीष्मेर्भानुकरेस्तीक्ष्णैस्तापिता व्रजवासिनः। आतपत्रीकृत्य तरून् सरयूपरतो ययुः॥१३॥
“Tormented by the summer sun’s sharp rays, the people of Vraja used the trees as parasols and made their way toward the Sarayū.
Passage 14
ते वृक्षाः पुष्पवर्षाद्यैः श्रीरामं समवाकिरन्। लताश्च स्तबकोत्तुङ्गस्तनमण्डलमण्डिताः॥१४॥
“Those trees showered glorious Rāma with flowers, while the vines were adorned with rounded breasts in the form of their high clusters.
Passage 15
ते बर्हिधातुनवपल्लवभूषिताङ्गाः पत्रातपत्रतलरुद्धकठोरघर्माः। तद्गोकुलं सरसि पाययितुं सरय्वाः सर्वे समाययुरुदारपतेः सखायः॥१५॥
“Their bodies adorned with peacock feathers, mineral colors, and fresh shoots, and the fierce heat checked beneath their parasols of leaves, all the generous Lord’s friends came to the Sarayū’s lake to water the herd.
Passage 16
गोकुलं पाययित्वापः सारव्यः स्वादु शीतलाः। स्वयं पपुश्चैव गोपा रामाद्या लक्ष्मणादयः॥१६॥
“After watering the cattle with the Sarayū’s sweet, cool water, the cowherds— Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, and the others—drank it themselves.
Passage 17
अथाशोकवने प्राप्ताः पुनरेव व्रजौकसः। राममूचुरिदं राजन् क्षुद्रातृव्येण बाधिताः॥१७॥
“When the people of Vraja again reached the Aśoka grove, king, they spoke to Rāma, assailed by hunger as by an enemy.
Passage 18
हे राम हे लक्ष्मण शत्रुसूदन हे भरताग्रणीः सखे। सुदुःसहा क्षुत्कुरुते रुजं ततो विधीयतां तच्छमनं सुहृद्गणे॥१८॥
“‘Rāma! Lakṣmaṇa! Destroyers of foes! Foremost among Bharata’s line, dear friends! Unbearable hunger is causing us pain; let our circle of friends therefore devise some way to quiet it.
Passage 19
उपागता नाद्य खलु व्रजस्त्रियो या आनयन्तेऽवसरेण भोजनम्। मध्याह्नवेलामतियाति भास्करो विशेषतोऽद्य क्षुदुपप्लुता वयम्॥१९॥
“‘The women of Vraja who bring food at the proper time have not come today. The sun has passed the hour of noon, and today we are especially overwhelmed by hunger.
Passage 20
नास्मिन्नशोकद्रुमकानने पुनः फलानि पक्वानि गवेषितान्यपि। विधीयते यैः खलु वृत्तिरौदरी तदत्र सञ्चिन्तय मण्डलाग्रणीः॥२०॥
“‘Even after searching, we have found no ripe fruit in this grove of aśoka trees by which the belly might be sustained. Leader of our circle, please consider what can be done here.’
Passage 21
इति विज्ञापितो गोपै रामः कमललोचनः। क्षणं विचिन्त्य प्रहसन्नुवाच रुचिरं वचः॥२१॥
“Thus petitioned by the cowherds, lotus-eyed Rāma reflected for a moment, smiled, and spoke these pleasing words. Śrī Rāma said:
Passage 22
शिखावलैरावतमेघवर्णाः सुकण्ठमालाधरवञ्जुलादयः। सर्वे च यूयं तु यदि यज्ञवाटिकां व्रजेयुरन्नं तदिहानयेयुः॥२२॥
“Śikhāvala, Airāvata, Meghavarṇa, Sukaṇṭhamāla, Dhara, Vañjula, and all the rest of you: if you go to the sacrificial enclosure, you can bring food here.
Passage 23
यजन्ते ब्राह्मणा ह्यत्राविदूरे क्रतुकर्मभिः। याज्ञवल्क्यादयो नित्यं सत्रं ये गौतमादयः॥२३॥
“Not far from here, brāhmaṇas such as Yājñavalkya and Gautama are constantly performing sacrificial rites in a prolonged session.
Passage 24
तेषां सत्रे क्रतौ यज्ञे मखे चैव व्रजन्तु ते। दास्यन्त्यन्नं द्विजन्मानो नो चेत्तेषां वधूवराः॥२४॥
“Let them go to that session, rite, sacrifice, and offering. The twice-born men will give food; if not, their excellent wives will.
Passage 25
इत्यादाय प्रभोराज्ञां गोपाला वनमालिनः। बर्हिधातुविचित्राङ्गास्तत्र गत्वा ययाचिरे॥२५॥
“Receiving the Lord’s command, the forest-garlanded cowherds, their bodies variegated with feathers and mineral colors, went there and made their request. The cowherds said:
Passage 26
नमो वै द्विजवर्येभ्यो यत्तेभ्यः सत्रकर्मणि। मुनिभ्यो दीर्घदर्शिभ्यो हेतुभ्यो लोकशर्मणः॥२६॥
“Homage to the eminent twice-born, disciplined in the work of the sacrificial session—to the far-seeing sages who are causes of the world’s welfare.
Passage 27
रामेण प्रेषिता गोपाः सर्वे वयमुपागताः। भवतां सविधे विप्राः कार्यार्थं श्रूयतां च तत्॥२७॥
“Brāhmaṇas, we cowherds have all come before you, sent by Rāma on an errand. Please hear what it is.
Passage 28
इतो विदूरे गोचारं कुर्वन् रामः सलक्ष्मणः। समागतोऽशोकवने वादयन् वेणुमस्ति वै॥२८॥
“Not far from here, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa have come to the Aśoka grove while herding the cows. Rāma is there playing his flute.
Passage 29
स मण्डलाग्र्यः सर्वेषां गोदुहां नः क्षुधाकुलः। याचतेऽन्नानि वो विप्राः पवित्राणि शुभानि च॥२९॥
“That foremost one in our entire circle of cowherds is tormented by hunger. Brāhmaṇas, he asks for your pure and auspicious foods.
Passage 30
यज्ञकर्मावशिष्टानि यथासम्पादितानि च। क्षुधितेभ्यः प्रदत्तानि साङ्गं कुर्वन्ति कर्म च॥३०॥
“Foods remaining from the sacrificial rite, prepared as prescribed and given to the hungry, also bring the rite to completeness with all its limbs.
Passage 31
इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तेषां केचिद्दीर्घाभिमानिनः। अनाकर्णितकेनैव भग्नाशांस्तान् प्रचक्रिरे॥३१॥
“Hearing their words, some of the brāhmaṇas, swollen with longstanding pride, acted as if they had heard nothing and shattered the cowherds’ hope.
Passage 32
केचिद्द्विजा गोपान् रामेणाचरितं शुभम्। यद्राजन्यकुले जातो गाश्चारयति कानने॥३२॥
“Others said sarcastically to the cowherds, ‘How excellent a deed Rāma has undertaken: born into a royal family, he grazes cows in the forest!
Passage 33
धात्रीपतेः सुखितस्याज्ञयासौ गृहीतगोचारणमध्यसक्रियः। किमन्नमन्विच्छति नो द्विजन्मनां मखोचितं ब्राह्मणभोजनोचितम्॥३३॥
“‘At the command of Sukhita, lord of the earth, he has become engaged in the work of tending cows. Why does he seek our food—the food proper for a sacrifice and fit for brāhmaṇas to eat?’
Passage 34
केचिद्विभर्त्सयाञ्चक्रुरपसर्पन्तु शूद्रकाः। ब्रह्मकर्म न वो दृष्टिगोचरं स्यादिति द्विजाः॥३४॥
“Some brāhmaṇas rebuked them, saying, ‘Away with you, little śūdras! The sacred work of brāhmaṇas must not come within your sight.’
Passage 35
ततस्ते भग्नसङ्कल्पाः सौम्या गोपालपुङ्गवाः। राममागत्य सर्वेऽपि तथैवोचुर्द्विजेरितम्॥३५॥
“Their purpose frustrated, those gentle, excellent cowherds returned to Rāma and repeated everything the brāhmaṇas had said.
Passage 36
ततः प्रोवाच तान् रामो विहस्य कमलेक्षणः। पत्नीशालामनुव्रज्य तत्पत्नीर् मयि सादराः॥३६॥
“Lotus-eyed Rāma laughed and told them, ‘Go instead to the wives’ quarters. Those wives hold me in reverence.
Passage 37
सर्वे भवन्तो याचन्तां दास्यन्त्यन्नानि ताश्च वः। चिरान्मयि धृतस्नेहाः प्राणेभ्योऽपि प्रियादपि॥३७॥
“‘All of you ask them. They will give you food, for they have long cherished love for me, holding me dearer than their own lives and than all else beloved.
Passage 38
कृतार्थयिष्यन्ति च ताः स्वान् पतीन् निजयोगतः। जन्मान्तरे च मत्कान्ताः सख्यमेष्यन्ति ताः स्त्रियः॥३८॥
“‘Through their own spiritual attainment, they will also bring their husbands to fulfillment. In another birth those women will become my beloveds and attain companionship with me.’
Passage 39
इत्याकर्ण्य प्रभोर्वाक्यं गोपाला जातसम्भ्रमाः। परस्ताद्यज्ञवाटस्य पत्नीशालां समाययुः॥३९॥
“Hearing the Lord’s words, the cowherds eagerly went behind the sacrificial enclosure and reached the wives’ quarters. The cowherds said:
Passage 40
तत्र गत्वा विप्रपत्नीभ्यो गोपा अन्नं ययाचिरे। नमो वो मुनिपत्नीभ्यो व्रतिनीभ्यो मखे विधौ॥४०॥
“Going there, the cowherds asked the brāhmaṇas’ wives for food: ‘Homage to you wives of sages, faithful to your vows in the sacrificial observance.
Passage 41
देयान्यन्नानि वो देव्यः क्षुधितेभ्यः पतिव्रताः। अशोकवनमध्यस्थः प्रेषयामास नः प्रभुः॥४१॥
“‘Goddesses devoted to your husbands, please give food to the hungry. The Lord, who waits in the middle of the Aśoka grove, has sent us.
Passage 42
रामः सर्वगुणारामः शीघ्रमन्नं प्रदीयताम्। इति श्रुत्वाखिलाः पत्न्यो मुनीनां दीर्घकर्मणाम्॥४२॥
“‘He is Rāma, the dwelling place of every virtue. Please give food quickly.’ Hearing this, all the wives of the sages engaged in lengthy rites
Passage 43
अन्नं चतुर्गुणं स्वादु स्वहस्तपरिपाचितम्। आच्छाद्य प्रययुः सर्वा रामचन्द्रदिदृक्षया॥४३॥
“covered the four kinds of delicious food they had cooked with their own hands and all set out, longing to see Rāmacandra.
Passage 44
यत्राशोकलतानिकुञ्जभवने क्रीडन् रणन् वंशीकां गोपालैः सवयोभिरात्तमदनन्यक्कारिलीलारसः। सौन्दर्यैकसुधानिधिः सुमनसां कान्ताभिरालोकितो रामस्तिष्ठति तत्र ताः सरभसं पत्न्यो मुनीनां ययुः॥४४॥
“Rāma stood in a bower-house of aśoka vines, playing and sounding his flute among cowherd companions of his own age. He had assumed a flavor of play that humbled Love himself; a unique treasury of beauty’s nectar, he was watched by the lovely flowers. The sages’ wives hastened there to him.
Passage 45
रुद्धास्ता मखवाटिकाशुभवनद्वारि प्रियैस्तु जनैस्- तं प्रत्यूहमुदस्य रामकरुणामात्रेण सम्प्रस्थिताः। सङ्कल्पः प्रभुहेतवे यदि भवेत्सार्थस्तदासीन्न किं सर्वानर्थनिवारणैकचतुरो यैर्ध्यात आत्मा निजः॥४५॥
“Their loved ones stopped them at the auspicious doorway of the sacrificial enclosure, but they cast aside that obstacle and went forth solely through Rāma’s compassion. When a resolve is made for the Lord, how could it fail to be fulfilled? They had meditated on their own Self, uniquely skilled at removing every misfortune.
Passage 46
संवीक्षणीयः पशुपालमण्डलीमध्यस्थितो रामसुधानिधिर्दृशः। इत्थं व्यवस्य प्रणयेन संयुता मुनिस्त्रियोऽधर्मनिवर्जिता अपि॥४६॥
“‘We must behold Rāma, the treasury of nectar for the eyes, standing amid the circle of cowherds.’ Resolving thus and filled with love, the sages’ wives— though wholly free of unrighteousness—went forward.
Passage 47
तास्तस्य वंशीनिनदं मनोहरं दूरात्समाकर्ण्य मुनीन्द्रसुभ्रुवः। उद्वेगरागोदधिमग्नमानसाः शनैरशोकाटविकां समाययुः॥४७॥
“Hearing his enchanting flute-song from afar, those beautiful-browed wives of the great sages came gradually into the Aśoka woodland, their minds immersed in an ocean of agitated love.
Passage 48
तत्र स्थितं पशुपमण्डलमण्डनाग्र्यं पीताम्बरं नवसुधाघननीलकायम्। पद्मेक्षणं सुरुचिरस्मितभूषितास्यं लोलालकावृतकपोलयुगं मनोज्ञम्॥४८॥
“There stood the supreme ornament of the cowherd circle, dressed in yellow, his body dark-blue like a fresh nectar-filled cloud. His eyes were lotuses, his face was adorned with a beautiful smile, and restless curls framed his captivating cheeks.
Passage 49
स्कन्धेऽनुगस्य निहितोरुभुजं करेण द्वितीयकेन कलयाभ्रमनन्तमब्जम्। पारे परार्घमितपञ्चशरावतारं वीक्ष्यान्तरा विनिदधुर्मुनिवर्यपत्न्यः॥४९॥
“One mighty arm rested on a companion’s shoulder, while with the other hand he playfully turned a lotus. Seeing him as the embodiment of immeasurably many gods of Love, the eminent sages’ wives installed him within their hearts.
Passage 50
रामः प्रसन्नमुखचन्द्रसुधास्मितौघैस्तासां मनश्चिरवियोगहुताशदग्धम्। आनन्दसारजलधिः स्नपयाम्बभूव जातास्तदेकहृदयाः सहसा समस्ताः॥५०॥
“Rāma, the ocean containing the essence of bliss, bathed their minds—which had been scorched by the fire of long separation—with streams of nectarean smiles from his serene moon-face. At once they all became wholly one-hearted in him.
Passage 51
ऊचे प्रभुः करुणया कलयन्नशोकास्ता योगिवर्यदयिताः स्मयमान एव। सुस्वागतं सुवदना भवतीभिरत्र प्रीतिर्मयि स्फुरति वः सुकृतावलीनाम्॥५१॥
“Smiling, the compassionate Lord dispelled the sorrow of those beloved wives of eminent sages and said, ‘Welcome, fair-faced women. Your love for me shines here as the fruit of your succession of meritorious deeds.
Passage 52
मय्यात्मनि प्रियतमे प्रणयं विधाय स्वर्गापवर्गपदवीष्वपि मुक्तवाञ्छाः। लोकोत्तरा मम जनाः सुखमासते वै मृत्योः शिरे निजपदं सहसा विधाय॥५२॥
“‘Fixing their love upon me, their own Self and dearest beloved, my world-transcending people abandon desire even for heaven and liberation. They dwell happily, swiftly planting their own feet upon the head of death.
Passage 53
धन्या भवत्यो वनिता मुनीनां निःसाधना एव फलं यदापुः। किं ते क्रियातन्त्रनिबद्धचित्ता युष्माकमीशाः फलवस्तुमुग्धाः॥५३॥
“‘Blessed are you wives of sages, for without laborious means you have attained the fruit itself. What of those husbands of yours whose minds are bound to the machinery of ritual and bewildered by its promised fruits?
Passage 54
कृतार्थाः स्थ भवे यूयं न पुनर्वो भवागमः। भवतीनां सङ्गमेन तेऽपि यास्यन्ति तत्फलम्॥५४॥
“‘You have attained fulfillment in this world; you will not return again to conditioned becoming. Through association with you, they too will reach that fruit.’
Passage 55
इत्युदीर्य वचस्ताभिरानीतं भूरि भोजनम्। श्लाघ्यमानः सखियुतो बुभुजे यज्ञभुक् स्वयम्॥५५॥
“Having spoken thus, Rāma—the very enjoyer of sacrifice—ate the abundant food they had brought, together with his friends and amid their praises. The sages’ wives said:
Passage 56
ता ऊचिरे समधिगम्य महाप्रसादं प्राणेन सम्प्रति न नः प्रिय मोक्तुमर्हेः। त्वत्पादपद्मयुगमेतदमूल्यदास्यो नित्यं यथा परिचरेम तथा विदध्याः॥५६॥
“Having received this great grace, beloved, you should not now send us away while life remains. Arrange matters so that we, priceless maidservants of your pair of lotus feet, may serve them forever. Śrī Rāma said:
Passage 57
उवाच ताः सुवदना गच्छन्तु मखवाटिकाम्। भवत्यः सुखमेधन्तां विनिधाय मनो मयि॥५७॥
“Fair-faced women, return to the sacrificial enclosure. May you prosper in happiness, having placed your minds in me.
Passage 58
इतो भवान्तरे सख्यो लप्स्यध्वं वाञ्छितं फलम्। भूत्वा श्रीसहजादेव्या नित्यसङ्गा निजालये॥५८॥
“In another birth after this, friends, you will attain the fruit you desire. You will become eternal companions of glorious goddess Sahajā in my own abode.
Passage 59
इति वितीर्णवरो वरदेश्वरो मुनिवधूर्विससर्ज कथञ्चन। सपदि ता अपि तेन वशीकृता निजगृहाणि ययुर्ननु कृच्छ्रतः॥५९॥
“After granting this boon, the supreme giver of blessings at last dismissed the sages’ wives. Completely captivated by him, they returned to their homes only with great difficulty.
Passage 60
तासां ते दर्शनं प्राप्य कृतिनीनां मुनीश्वराः। श्रीरामं विगणय्यान्तरनुतेपुर्मुहुर्मुहुः॥६०॥
“When the great sages saw those fulfilled women again, they repeatedly repented inwardly for having disregarded glorious Rāma. The sages said:
Passage 61
अहो किं कृतमस्माभी रामो राजीवलोचनः। भजन्नपि न वै भेजे प्रपन्नशरणप्रदः॥६१॥
“Alas, what have we done? Although lotus-eyed Rāma—the giver of refuge to those who surrender—sought us, we did not serve him.
Passage 62
अहो नु तस्य वात्सल्यं पत्नीमूढान् दुरात्मनः। स्वयमेवानुजग्राह नास्माभिर्विदितं पुनः॥६२॥
“Ah, how tender is his affection! Of his own accord he favored the wives of foolish, ill-minded men such as us, though we failed to recognize him.
Passage 63
एता एव परं धन्याः स्त्रियोऽपि फलसाधिकाः। याभिश्चन्द्रमुखो रामो दृष्टो राजीवलोचनः॥६३॥
“These women alone are supremely blessed and have attained the fruit, for they beheld moon-faced, lotus-eyed Rāma.
Passage 64
स्वतन्त्र एष भगवान् दाता स्वर्गापवर्गयोः। अवतीर्णो हरिः साक्षात् सतां कल्याणहेतवे॥६४॥
“This independent Lord bestows both heaven and liberation. Hari himself has descended for the welfare of the good.
Passage 65
धिगस्मान् धिक् च नः सत्रं धिग्जनुर्धिक् च नः कुलम्। यज्ञावकलितो रामः पूर्णं ब्रह्म सनातनः॥६५॥
“Shame on us, shame on our sacrificial session, shame on our birth, and shame on our lineage! Rāma, whom we dismissed on account of sacrifice, is the eternal, complete Absolute.
Passage 66
एतासां दर्शनं पुण्यमसतां पापनाशनम्। याभिर्दृष्टो दृशा साक्षाद्रामचन्द्रः स्वयं प्रभुः॥६६॥
“The sight of these women is purifying and destroys even the wicked person’s sin, for with their own eyes they directly beheld Lord Rāmacandra himself.
Passage 67
भविष्यति महद्भाग्यमेतासां कथयेच्च नः। रामे सर्वसुखारामे यत्स्याज्जन्मान्तरेऽपि धीः॥६७॥
“May someone tell us the great fortune that awaits these women: even in another birth their hearts will rest in Rāma, the dwelling place of every joy.” Colophon इति श्रीमदादिरामायणे ब्रह्मभुशुण्डसंवादे पूर्वखण्डे दशरथतीर्थयात्रायां व्रजागमने सप्तदशाधिकशततमोऽध्यायः॥ ११७ ॥ “Thus ends Chapter 117, concerning the coming to Vraja within Daśaratha’s pilgrimage, in the Pūrva-khaṇḍa of the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍi in the venerable Ādi Rāmāyaṇa.” Source control note Chapter 117 occupies registered source leaves 807–812 of the Pūrva-khaṇḍa volume (physical PDF pages 808–813) and contains 67 independent passages. The edition prints passage number 12 twice and then resumes with 14; the second printed 12 is preserved and registered editorially as passage 13. The chapter begins beneath Chapter 116’s colophon and ends above the opening of Chapter 118. 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, a corresponding Sanskrit terminator, and a fresh English rendering. The dense compounds in passages 7, 33, 45–46, and 49 were spot-checked again at higher resolution before registration.