Passage 1
याश्चैवान्या व्रजगोप्यः कन्यारूपधराः शुभाः। गोपालानां कुले जाता देवानामङ्गनाश्च याः॥१॥
There were other blessed cowherd girls of Vraja who bore the forms of young maidens: some were born in cowherd families, while others had formerly been women of the gods.
Passage 2
याश्च वेदऋचो जाता दिव्यस्त्रीरूपभाविताः। मुनिरूपा देवरूपास्तथान्याश्चैव कन्यकाः॥२॥
Some were hymns of the Veda who had assumed divine female forms; others had formerly been sages or gods and had now become young maidens.
Passage 3
नगनागसुताश्चैव नरकिन्नरकन्यकाः। नानादेशोद्भवाः कन्याः सुखितालयमध्यगाः॥३॥
There were daughters of mountains and nāgas, human and kinnara maidens, and girls born in many lands who now lived among the dwellings of Sukhitā.
Passage 4
तासां मनो रामचन्द्रे कामतत्त्वेन जृम्भितम्। आकुलं चैव विरहेणातिभूयसा॥४॥
Their minds opened fully toward Rāmacandra through the principle of divine desire and became overwhelmed by the tremendous force of separation.
Passage 5
स्मरबाणसमाविद्धं न विश्रमति कुत्रचित्। श्रीरामरूपलावण्यवशीकृतमहर्निशम्॥५॥
Pierced by Love’s arrows, their minds found rest nowhere. Day and night they remained captivated by the beauty of Śrī Rāma’s form.
Passage 6
वियोगतापसन्दोहपतितं भृशपीडितम्। तासामग्निः सुसन्तप्ताश्चन्द्रचन्दनचन्द्रिकाः॥६॥
Fallen into a mass of burning separation and severely tormented, they experienced the moon, sandal paste, and moonlight as blazing fire.
Passage 7
परितो दववद्भान्ति पुष्पभूषितभूरुहाः। ज्वलिताश्च वितानिन्यो लक्ष्यन्ते ज्वलिता इव॥७॥
Flower-adorned trees seemed like a forest fire all around them, and the spreading vines appeared to be aflame.
Passage 8
काकिलानां गिरस्तासां कर्णयोः सूचिवेधनम्। कुर्वन्ति भ्रमराणां च गुञ्जितं हृद्रुजावहम्॥८॥
The voices of cuckoos pierced their ears like needles, and the humming of bees brought pain to their hearts.
Passage 9
सर्वतो ज्वलितं भाति किंशुकद्रुमकाननम्। भ्रमन्त्यो भ्रमरश्रेण्यो धूमधोरणिसम्मिताः॥९॥
The forest of kiṃśuka trees appeared to burn on every side, while wandering rows of bees resembled streams of smoke. The girls undertake the Sītā–Rāma vow
Passage 10
एवं वियोगाद् यदि सर्वतो व्रजे विलोक्य रामं प्रणयानुबन्धनम्। मृगीदृशस्ताः मिलिता रहोगता विचार्य चक्रुः फललब्धये व्रतम्॥१०॥
Thus tormented by separation throughout Vraja and bound to Rāma by love, the doe-eyed maidens gathered in seclusion. After deliberating together, they undertook a vow to attain their desired fruit.
Passage 11
दुर्वाससो महामन्त्रलब्ध्या विरहपीडिताः। सहजानन्दिनीं देवीं महालक्ष्मीं हि भेजिरे॥११॥
Afflicted by separation and having received a great mantra from Durvāsā, they worshiped the goddess Sahajānandinī as Mahālakṣmī.
Passage 12
कार्तिके चैव मार्गे च माघे वैशाखमासि च। पृथक् पृथक् स्वरूपेण तावेव समुपासिताः॥१२॥
In Kārttika, Mārgaśīrṣa, Māgha, and Vaiśākha they worshiped the same divine couple under distinct forms.
Passage 13
सीतारामचन्द्रौ प्रेष्ठौ कार्तिके ताः सिषेविरे। मार्गशीर्षे च तावेव श्रीरामं जनकात्मजाम्॥१३॥
In Kārttika they served their beloved Sītā and Rāmacandra; in Mārgaśīrṣa they served that same Śrī Rāma and the daughter of Janaka.
Passage 14
सीताराघवरूपेण माघे चक्रुस्तयोर्व्रतम्। वैशाखे च भृशं भेजुः श्रीसीतारामचन्द्रकौ॥१४॥
In Māgha they observed the vow of the couple in the form of Sītā and Rāghava, and in Vaiśākha they worshiped Śrī Sītā and Rāmacandra with great intensity.
Passage 15
एवं ताः सततं चक्रुर्व्रतमेकमनोरथाः। सख्यः सलिले स्नात्वा श्रद्धाभक्तिसमन्विताः॥१५॥
With one shared desire, the companions continually observed the vow. They bathed in the water and acted with faith and devotion.
Passage 16
विरच्य सैकतीं मूर्तिं सीतारामचन्द्रात्मिकाम्। सङ्कल्पपूर्वकं सर्वाः पूजयाञ्चक्रुरङ्गनाः॥१६॥
The maidens fashioned a sand image embodying Sītā and Rāmacandra and, after making their formal resolve, all worshiped it.
Passage 17
आवाह्य स्थापयित्वा च सन्निधाप्य निरुध्य च। पाद्यार्घाचमनीयादि मधुपर्काभिषेचनैः॥१७॥
They invoked the divine pair, established and brought them near, and performed the prescribed rites with water for the feet, arghya, water for sipping, madhuparka, and ceremonial bathing.
Passage 18
गन्धैः पुष्पैस्तथा धूपैर्दीपनैवेद्यकल्पनैः। दक्षिणाफलताम्बूलैर्नमनस्तवनादिभिः॥१८॥
They offered fragrances, flowers, incense, lamps, prepared food, gifts, fruits, and betel, together with bows, praises, and the other services.
Passage 19
एवं व्रतमिदं चक्रुर्यत्तचित्ता व्रजस्त्रियः। गीतवाद्यादिभिः सम्यग् हविष्याशनतत्पराः॥१९॥
With disciplined minds, the women of Vraja observed the vow in this way, properly performing song and instrumental music and subsisting upon sacred votive food.
Passage 20
पूर्णे चाब्दे ततश्चक्रुरुपायनमतन्द्रिताः। अग्निं संस्थाप्य जुहुवुस्तिलाज्यैर्विधिपूर्वकम्॥२०॥
When the year was complete, they diligently made the concluding offering. Establishing the sacred fire, they performed the prescribed oblations with sesame and clarified butter.
Passage 21
पूजां च महतीं चक्रुस्तथा जागरणं निशि। सरयूपुलिने रम्ये घने कुञ्जवने स्थिताः॥२१॥
They performed magnificent worship and kept vigil through the night while remaining in a dense bower grove upon the beautiful bank of the Sarayū. Sahajānandinī appears as Mahālakṣmī
Passage 22
ततोऽर्धरात्रसमये स्त्रीणां मण्डलमध्यतः। आविरासीन्महालक्ष्मीः सहजानन्दिनी स्वयम्॥२२॥
At midnight, Mahālakṣmī herself—Sahajānandinī—appeared in the midst of the circle of women.
Passage 23
स्वच्छविद्युल्लतागौरी स्वच्छवस्त्राभिवेष्टिता। प्रसन्नवदनस्मेरा प्रसादरुचिरेक्षणा॥२३॥
She was fair like a clear flash of lightning and wrapped in spotless garments. Her gracious face smiled, and her eyes shone beautifully with favor.
Passage 24
विराजिता चतुर्बाहुर्वरदाभयधारिणी। भ्रामयन्ती करे पद्मं सुधाभाजनमेव च॥२४॥
She shone with four arms, displaying the gestures of granting boons and freedom from fear, while holding a lotus and a vessel of nectar in her hands.
Passage 25
बिभ्रती सुन्दरी साक्षात्स्वर्णयष्टिरिवाद्भुता। साब्रवीद् व्रियतां मत्तो वरं युष्माभिरङ्गनाः॥२५॥
The wondrous beauty appeared like a living staff of gold. She said, “Maidens, choose from me the boon you desire.” Mahālakṣmī grants the boon Mahālakṣmī said:
Passage 26
व्रतेनानेन युष्माकं प्रसन्नाहं पुरःस्थिता। यद्यन्मनसि दुष्प्राप्यमपि तत्तद्ददाम्यहम्॥२६॥
“Pleased by this vow of yours, I now stand before you. Whatever may be in your hearts—even if it is difficult to attain—I shall grant it all.”
Passage 27
इत्युक्त्वा सकला गोप्यः प्रेष्ठं सञ्चिन्त्य तत्क्षणे। ययाचिरे वरं यस्मै व्रतमेतत् प्रचक्रिरे॥२७॥
When she had spoken, all the cowherd girls at once thought of their dearest beloved and asked for the boon for whose sake they had performed that vow. The cowherd girls said:
Passage 28
त्वमाद्या श्रीः सर्वकल्याणदात्री भक्त्या यस्मै सम्प्रसीदस्यमोघे। तत्र त्रिलोकेऽपि न दुर्लभं भवेद् यत्किञ्चनेष्टं हृदये चिन्तितं स्यात्॥२८॥
“You are the primordial Śrī, the giver of every blessing, O unfailing one. When you are pleased by someone’s devotion, nothing that person desires or conceives in the heart remains unattainable anywhere in the three worlds.
Passage 29
वयं श्रीमद्दशरथराजराजकुमारकेऽस्मिंस्त्रैलोक्यसारे। आसक्तचित्ताः सततं कामबाणैः क्लिश्यामहे विप्रयोगेन चान्तः॥२९॥
“Our minds are forever fastened upon this glorious prince, the son of King Daśaratha and the very essence of the three worlds. Love’s arrows and inward separation continually torment us.” > The edition records the variant reading *śrīmad-daśarathasya parama-rājasya > trailokya-sāre kumāre* in the Madhura and Baroda witnesses.
Passage 30
स्नेहप्रसङ्गेन वियोगवह्निर्ज्वलत्यन्तर्द्विगुणो नोऽबलानाम्। अन्तर्यामिन्यात्मना बुद्धिरूपा जानासि सर्वं भवती स्वेष्टदात्रि॥३०॥
“Because of our bond of affection, the fire of separation burns twice as fiercely within us helpless girls. Dwelling within as the self and taking the form of understanding, you know everything, O giver of each soul’s cherished desire.
Passage 31
तदस्मासु त्वं वरदे सम्प्रसीद यथा स्वेष्टं प्रियमेनं लभेम। त्वामाराध्याखिललोकेष्टदात्री वरोऽस्माकं प्रिय एषोऽद्य भूयात्॥३१॥
“Therefore be gracious to us, O giver of boons, so that we may obtain this beloved whom we have chosen. Having worshiped you, the giver of all that every world desires, may this beloved become our boon today.”
Passage 32
इत्यादिपूर्वकं ताभिर्याचिते स्वप्रिये वरे। उवाच सा महालक्ष्मीः स्मितद्योतितदिक्तटा॥३२॥
When they had asked in this manner for the boon of their own beloved, Mahālakṣmī spoke, her smile illuminating the horizons. Mahālakṣmī said:
Passage 33
वितीर्णोऽयं मया भूयाद् युष्माकं कामितो वरः। नातः परं तद्विरहो भवतीनां भविष्यति॥३३॥
“May the boon you desire now be granted by me. From this time onward, you will not suffer separation from him.
Passage 34
प्रेमवश्यः प्रभुरयं दुर्लभो योगिनामपि। युष्माकमार्तिं संवीक्ष्य स्वरूपं दास्यति स्त्रियः॥३४॥
“This Lord, though difficult even for yogins to attain, is governed by love. Seeing your anguish, O women, he will give you the direct presence of his own form.
Passage 35
मयानुमोदितश्चैव विशेषाद् वो व्रजस्त्रियः। स्वरूपानन्ददानार्थं समर्थोऽद्य भविष्यति॥३५॥
“And because I have especially approved your desire, O women of Vraja, from this day he will be free to bestow upon you the bliss of his own essential form.”
Passage 36
इत्युक्त्वा जानकी देवी सर्वासु युवतीष्वलम्। आविष्टा स्वांशभागेन सद्य एव तिरोऽभवत्॥३६॥
After speaking thus, Goddess Jānakī entered all the young women fully through a portion of herself and immediately vanished. Rāma steals the girls’ garments
Passage 37
अथापरेद्युस्ताः सर्वाः स्नातुकामा व्रजस्त्रियः। अवतेरुर्वस्त्रहीनाः सारवे विमलेऽम्भसि॥३७॥
The following day, all the women of Vraja wished to bathe. Leaving their clothes behind, they descended into the clear waters of the Sarayū.
Passage 38
तदा स्वयं वरदराड् रामः कमललोचनः। तत्र शीघ्रं समागम्य वस्त्राण्यादाय योषिताम्॥३८॥
Then lotus-eyed Rāma, sovereign among givers of boons, quickly came there himself and took the women’s garments.
Passage 39
द्राक् तीरभूमिमन्दारमारुरोहातिकौतुकी। स्वरूपं दर्शयन् स्त्रीणां कोटिकन्दर्पमोहनम्॥३९॥
Delighting in the sport, he at once climbed a mandāra tree on the bank and displayed to the women his form, which could enchant ten million gods of love.
Passage 40
सर्वास्ताः सलिलान्तःस्थाश्चीरचोरं रमापतिम्। विलोक्य स्मरसंक्षुब्धा ऊचुर्वचनमादरात्॥४०॥
Standing together in the water, they saw Ramā’s Lord, the thief of their clothes. Stirred by love, they addressed him earnestly. The cowherd girls said:
Passage 41
वयमार्ता माघमासस्य शीते प्रकम्पमानास्तव लक्ष्मीश दास्यः। देह्यस्माकं वसनानि व्रजेश यानि प्रभो परिधाय त्वां व्रजामः॥४१॥
“We are your maidservants, O Lord of Lakṣmī, distressed and trembling in the cold of the month of Māgha. Give us our garments, O Lord of Vraja, so that we may put them on and come to you, our Lord.
Passage 42
चिराय त्वद्विरहेणातिबन्धो सन्तप्ताः स्म त्वामुपलभ्य चाद्य। वयं कृतार्थाः स्याम तन्नाथ कुर्याः कृपावलोकं नित्यमस्मासु धेहि॥४२॥
“For so long we have been deeply tormented by separation from you. Now that we have found you, O Lord, may our lives be fulfilled. Bestow your gracious glance upon us forever.
Passage 43
त्वल्लब्धयेऽस्माभिरहो उपासिता तव प्रिया सापि चाम्भोजसख्या। वृतं वरं त्वत्स्वरूपं दुरापं कृपावशाददददत्युदारा॥४३॥
“Ah, to attain you we worshiped your beloved, she whose companion is the lotus. In her immense generosity and compassion, she granted our chosen boon: your own form, so difficult to attain.” Śrī Rāma said:
Passage 44
अहो व्रजाभीरकन्या वरोऽयं सुदुर्लभो दुर्घटश्चाप्यतीव। मत्स्वामिन्या किन्तु यद् वो वितीर्णः सुलभ्य एवाभवदिन्दुमुख्यः॥४४॥
“Ah, cowherd girls of Vraja, this boon is exceedingly rare and extraordinarily difficult. Yet because my mistress has granted it to you, it has indeed become attainable, O moon-faced ones.
Passage 45
अस्त्यत्रैकं वचनीयं विमूढा यद् यूयमेवं स्नाथ नग्नाः सरय्वाम्। तेनाभवत्खण्डितं वो व्रतं वै नायं विधिः स्नानकर्मण्युदीर्णः॥४५॥
“But there is one thing to be said, foolish girls: you have bathed naked in the Sarayū. Your vow has thereby been broken, for this is not the prescribed way to perform a sacred bath.
Passage 46
मयानुमोदितं त्वेतदखण्डितमिहास्तु वः। सर्वा भवन्त्यो गृह्णन्तु वासांसि बहिरागताः॥४६॥
“Nevertheless, I approve it, and so let your vow remain unbroken. All of you come out and take your garments.”
Passage 47
ततः परस्परं बाला वीक्ष्य वक्त्राणि सत्रपम्। जहसुर्युगपत् प्रीताः कथं कार्यमतः परम्॥४७॥
The delighted girls shyly looked at one another’s faces and laughed together, wondering what they should do next. The young girls said:
Passage 48
धूर्तोऽसि धूर्तराजोऽसि देहि वासांसि साहसिन्। पश्चात्ते दर्शयिष्यामो यदङ्गं द्रक्ष्यसि स्वयम्॥४८॥
“You are a rogue—the king of rogues! Give us our garments, you audacious boy. Afterward we shall show you whatever limb you are so intent on seeing for yourself.” The girls answer Rāma’s teasing A girl of the middle group said:
Passage 49
कोऽसौ हास्यविधिस्त्वदीय उदितः सर्वा वयं त्वामहो पौष्पैर्दामभिरानिबध्य सदने संस्थापयिष्यामहे। माञ्जल्या यदि न स्तुतिं बहुविधां कृत्वा समुन्मोचये- देवं तामपि सन्निबध्य सहसास्माभिः प्रतीक्ष्यं बलम्॥४९॥
“What sort of jest have you devised? Ah, all of us will bind you with flower garlands and keep you in our home. If Māñjalī does not free you after praising you in many ways, we shall suddenly bind her as well—and then your strength will have to be put to the test.” A mature girl said:
Passage 50
यदि त्वं मुरलीधर व्रजवने गाश्चारयन् स्वप्रियां संस्मृत्य स्मरबाणविद्धहृदयो मध्ये निकुञ्जं गतः। तर्हि प्रेषितदूतिकापरिकरो धत्से व्यथां यादृशी- मस्मास्वप्यवधानतो नहि कथं त्वं तादृशीं पश्यसि॥५०॥
“O flute-bearer, when you pasture the cows in the forest of Vraja, remember your beloved, and enter a bower with your heart pierced by Love’s arrows, you experience a certain pain while surrounded by the messengers she has sent. Why, then, do you not look carefully and recognize that very same pain in us?” Another girl said:
Passage 51
त्वामाप्तबन्धुं शरणं प्रपन्नाः किमार्तिमीदृग्द्विगुणां लभन्ते। आनन्दसिन्धोरमितोत्सवस्य त्वदीयमेतद्वचनीयमेव॥५१॥
“Why should those who have taken refuge in you as their intimate friend receive anguish twice as great as this? For you, the ocean of bliss and limitless celebration, such conduct is surely a cause for reproach.
Passage 52
त्वयि धृतहृदयानामीदृशोऽयं विपाकः समजनि भुवने नो यद्वियोगाग्नितप्ताः। नयनसलिलपूरैः पल्वलान् पूरयन्तो गुरुजनकृतखेदाः कं नु देशं व्रजामः॥५२॥
“This is the result that has arisen in the world for us whose hearts are fixed upon you: burned by the fire of separation, filling ponds with torrents from our eyes, and distressed by our elders, to what place can we possibly go?
Passage 53
दृष्ट्वा दृष्ट्वा भवतो रूपमेतत्परार्धकन्दर्पसमूहजैत्रम्। दिवानिशं पीडिताः कामबाणैस्त्वदाप्त्यवश्याः किमु कुर्मः सुखाब्धे॥५३॥
“Again and again we behold this form of yours, victorious over hosts of countless gods of love. Day and night Love’s arrows torment us, helpless in our need to attain you. What can we do, O ocean of happiness?
Passage 54
अतस्त्वां शरणं यातास्त्वत्स्वामिन्या कृतव्रताः। ज्ञानतोऽज्ञानतो वापि कलितानन्यवृत्तयः॥५४॥
“Therefore we have come for refuge in you after observing the vow to your mistress. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, we have come to possess no other orientation at all.
Passage 55
भवान् वरदराड् व्यक्तं पूरयास्मन्मनोरथम्। यथास्मराशुगैर्नित्यं न विध्येमहि सत्रपाः॥५५॥
“You are manifestly the sovereign giver of boons. Fulfill the desire in our hearts so that, though naturally modest, we are not forever pierced by Love’s swift arrows.” Yet another girl said:
Passage 56
सदैव सर्वभावेषु सर्वदा सर्ववृत्तिभिः। त्वमेव स्फुरितोऽस्माकं परं ब्रह्मेव भाससे॥५६॥
“At every time, in every state, and through every movement of our minds, you alone shine forth within us. You appear like the Supreme Brahman itself.
Passage 57
अतस्त्वमेव नो दुःखं हरिष्यसि मनोहर। इत्याशया प्रपन्नास्त्वां कुरु त्वं च यथोचितम्॥५७॥
“Therefore you alone will take away our sorrow, O enchanter of the heart. With this hope we have surrendered to you; now do whatever is fitting.” All the girls said:
Passage 58
देहि नो राम वासांसि वैदग्ध्याकर नेदृशम्। कर्तुमर्हसि यत्तोये कम्पेमहि विवाससः॥५८॥
“Give us our garments, Rāma, O treasury of cleverness. You should not behave like this while we stand unclothed and trembling in the water.
Passage 59
कायेन मनसा वाचा यदि त्वामीश केवलम्। प्रपन्नाः स्म तर्हि कोऽयं ते निबन्धो हि निरासने॥५९॥
“If in body, mind, and speech we have surrendered solely to you, O Lord, then why are you so determined to reject us?
Passage 60
कान्तर्द्धेः पुण्डरीकाक्ष प्राणेशस्य निजात्मनः। परस्परं तु सुन्दर्यो ह्रीणीमहि न संशयः॥६०॥
“O lotus-eyed one, while our beloved—the lord of our lives and our very self—is hidden, we young women certainly feel shame before one another.” Rāma calls the girls from the water Rāma said:
Passage 61
यदि सर्वत्र मे स्फूर्तिर्भवतीनामभूत्तदा। किं नु स्वपरभेदेन जिह्रेथाभीरदारिकाः॥६१॥
“If my presence truly shines everywhere within you, then why are you ashamed because of a distinction between self and other, O cowherd girls?” The girls said:
Passage 62
अनीतिरेषा रघुनाथसूनो रतिं विना नग्नवधूविलोकनम्। ततोऽप्यशेषनयाम्बुराशे चोराणि नो वारिसमीपवस्त्राणि॥६२॥
“Son of Raghunātha, it is improper to look upon unclothed young women outside the intimacy of love. Yet you, an ocean of every rule of conduct, have stolen our garments from beside the water.” Rāma said:
Passage 63
विवाससो यत्सलिलावगाहनं चक्रेथ वामा व्रतसूक्ष्मदेहाः। तदेतदज्ञानभवं भवत्यघं सदुक्तकर्माचरणाद्धिनङ्क्ष्यति॥६३॥
“Fair ones, your bodies have grown slender from the vow, yet you entered the water unclothed. The prescribed act I have stated will destroy the fault born from that ignorance.”
Passage 64
इतीरिताः सर्वविज्ञानकर्त्रा वाचामधीशेन तदाखिलात्मना। निगूह्य गुह्यं निजपाणिपद्मैः सर्वा बहिःस्रोतस आययुः स्त्रियः॥६४॥
Thus addressed by the maker of all knowledge, the lord of speech and Self of all, the women covered their private parts with their lotus hands and came out from the stream. Rāma said:
Passage 65
यथोदिताघनाशाय नत्वाञ्जलिभिरीश्वरम्। गृहीतनिजवासांसि यथानन्दं व्रजस्त्रियः॥६५॥
“To remove the fault in the manner I prescribed, bow to the Lord with joined palms. Then take your own garments and rejoice, O women of Vraja.”
Passage 66
ततस्तास्तत्पराधीनाः कृत्वा सर्वं प्रियोदितम्। अवापुः स्वानि वासांसि यथेष्टं च तथा वरम्॥६६॥
Completely subject to their beloved, they did everything he had told them. They recovered their own garments and likewise obtained the boon they desired.
Passage 67
सम्यक् प्रवञ्चितास्तास्तु त्याजिताश्च त्रपाभरम्। नर्मोपहसिताश्चैव यन्त्रपुत्तलिकायिताः॥६७॥
He had thoroughly outwitted them, made them cast off their heavy burden of reserve, teased them in jest, and caused them to move like puppets under his control.
Passage 68
अङ्गान्याच्छाद्य ताः सर्वा वासोभिर्विविधैः पृथक्। श्रीरामचरणन्यस्तनेत्रास्तस्थुः सुविस्मिताः॥६८॥
Each girl covered her limbs with her various garments. Deeply astonished, all of them stood with their eyes fixed upon Śrī Rāma’s feet. Rāma explains the power of loving service
Passage 69
तदाहितमनःप्राणदेहात्मेन्द्रियवृत्तयः। तदेकानन्यसर्वस्वा आसंश्चित्रार्पिता इव॥६९॥
Their minds, life-breaths, bodies, selves, senses, and every movement were fixed upon him. With him alone as their undivided all-in-all, they stood as motionless as figures placed in a painting.
Passage 70
ता आह भगवान् रामः स्मयमान उदारधीः। कृतकृत्यार्थविषया इति विज्ञाय चेश्वरः॥७०॥
The generous-minded Lord Rāma smiled and addressed them, for the Lord knew that the object they sought had now been fulfilled. > The Rewa witness reads smayamānā; the Madhura and Baroda witnesses read > Rāghavaḥ in place of the printed ceśvaraḥ. Rāma said:
Passage 71
मनोरथो वां विज्ञातो मत्स्वरूपैकगोचरः। स आराधितया देव्या पूर्वमेव समर्थितः॥७१॥
“I know your heart’s desire, which is directed solely toward my own form. The goddess whom you worshiped has already sanctioned it.
Passage 72
न तदुक्तप्रसादार्थान्मदुक्तमतिरिच्यते। यतः सा मेऽखिलार्थानामधिपाध्यक्षरूपिणी॥७२॥
“Nothing I say exceeds the gracious boon she pronounced, for she is the sovereign presiding power over all my purposes.
Passage 73
तदाविष्टतया यूयं सर्वाः प्राप्तमनोरथाः। नो चेत् क्वान्याङ्गनासङ्ग एकपत्नव्रतस्य मे॥७३॥
“Because you are pervaded by her, all of you have attained your desire. Otherwise, how could I—bound by the vow of one wife—associate with other women?
Passage 74
किन्तु सर्वात्मभावेन ये मामेवमुपासते। मय्येव न्यस्तसर्वार्था तानहं सततं वृणे॥७४॥
“Yet those who worship me with their whole being and place every purpose in me alone—I forever choose them as my own.
Passage 75
न व्रतं नियतं कर्म न तपो नापि धारणा। न ज्ञानं नापि वैराग्यं सद्रूपानन्दलब्धये॥७५॥
“Neither vows, prescribed rites, austerity, nor concentration—neither knowledge nor even detachment—can by themselves obtain the bliss of my true form.
Passage 76
किन्तु मत्सेवनं प्रेम्णा मदेकवशिताकरम्। तद्वान् लभते दुर्लभं यद् ब्रह्मशेषश्रियमपि॥७६॥
“But loving service to me renders me exclusively subject to the devotee. One who possesses that love obtains what is difficult even for Brahmā, Śeṣa, and Śrī to attain.
Passage 77
प्रेमानन्दमयैर्भावैर्मदाराधनतत्पराः। यूयं मां वश्यतां नीत्वा पूर्णकामाः स्थ योषितः॥७७॥
“Intent upon worshiping me with emotions filled with the bliss of love, you have brought me under your control. O women, your desires are now completely fulfilled.
Passage 78
कल्पान्ते यं चिरतरमेत्य मत्प्रसङ्गं मद्रूपामृतरसलाभतृप्तिमत्यः। कालादेः स्थितिमपि निधाय चात्मपादे मत्सार्धं ननु विहरिष्यथेन्दुमुख्यः॥७८॥
“At the end of the kalpa, after attaining my company for a very long time and becoming fully satisfied by the nectarean rasa of my form, you will place even the dominion of Time and all that follows it beneath your own feet. Then, O moon-faced ones, you will surely sport eternally at my side.”
Passage 79
इति तासां वरं दत्त्वा रामः कमललोचनः। जगाम सखिभिः सार्धं वने गोचारणोद्यतः॥७९॥
Having granted this boon to them, lotus-eyed Rāma departed with his companions, intent upon pasturing the cows in the forest. Colophon इति श्रीमदादिरामायणे ब्रह्मभुशुण्डसंवादे पूर्वखण्डे दशरथतीर्थयात्रायां व्रजागमने अष्टाविंशाधिकशततमोऽध्यायः ॥ १२८ ॥ Thus ends Chapter 128, “The Coming to Vraja,” in the account of Daśaratha’s pilgrimage, in the Pūrva-khaṇḍa of the venerable Ādi-Rāmāyaṇa, within the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍa. Source control note Chapter 128 occupies registered source leaves 906–912 of the Pūrva-khaṇḍa volume (physical PDF pages 907–913) and contains 79 continuously numbered passages. It begins on physical page 907; Chapter 129 begins on physical page 914. Passage 49 begins at the foot of physical page 910 and continues on page 911, and is preserved here as one complete unit. The edition’s recorded witness variants at passages 29, 53, 59–60, and 70 are retained in concise source notes where they materially clarify the printed reading. No passage was invented, suppressed, or silently renumbered. All seven source pages were reviewed directly against the scan in batches of no more than two rendered pages, and the English is a fresh translation from the scan-controlled Sanskrit.