Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— अथ प्रभातवेलायां गरुडाग्रजरोचिषा। विलिप्ते कानने तस्मिन् सिन्दूरेणेव रञ्जिते॥१॥
Brahmā said: Then, at the hour of dawn, the forest was covered by the radiance of the Sun—the elder brother of Garuḍa—as though it had been painted with vermilion.
Passage 2
नवकाश्मीरजरसैः प्रक्षालित इवाद्भुते। ललत्पल्लवसंदोहशोभाढ्यविविधद्रुमे॥२॥
The wondrous woodland seemed washed in fresh saffron-dust. Its many trees were richly beautiful with clusters of graceful young leaves.
Passage 3
यमुनावातलहरीवीज्यमानलतागृहे। सूर्यदीधितिरञ्जच्चित्रपतद्भकुलनादिते॥३॥
Its vine-bowers were fanned by waves of breeze from the Yamunā; sunlight colored them, and they resounded with varied flocks in flight.
Passage 4
पुंस्कोकिलगणोद्गीतप्राभातिकसुमङ्गले। रामः प्रोत्थापयामास शनैः सौमित्रिमादरात्॥४॥
In that auspicious dawn-song raised by hosts of male cuckoos, Rāma gently and affectionately awakened Sumitrā’s son.
Passage 5
श्रूयतां भ्रातरधुना विचित्रविहगध्वनिः। प्राभातिकीं शुभां वेलां पश्य लक्ष्मण सम्प्रति॥५॥
“Brother, listen now to the calls of the many birds. Lakṣmaṇa, behold this auspicious hour of dawn.
Passage 6
अरुणस्य प्रभा शोणा लिम्पतीवाखिलं वनम्। पश्य द्विगुणमारुण्यं तरूणां पल्लवेष्विह॥६॥
“The crimson light of Aruṇa seems to paint the entire forest. See how the tender leaves of the trees here have gained a doubled redness.
Passage 7
उत्फुल्लकमलामोदी वाति प्राभातिकोऽनिलः। अतोऽधुना वयं सर्वे स्नात्वा पार्थिव यामुने॥७॥
“The morning wind blows fragrant with fully opened lotuses. Therefore, prince, let us all now bathe in the Yamunā,
Passage 8
उपास्य प्रथमां सन्ध्यां प्रस्थातुमुचिताः सखे। ततः सर्वे तथा कृत्वा पूतात्मानः प्रतस्थिरे॥८॥
“worship at the first twilight, and then set out, my friend.” They all did so and, purified in spirit, departed. The Vision of Citrakūṭa
Passage 9
तद्देशं चित्रकूटस्य निर्दिष्टं मुनिना पुरा। सम्प्राप्य शोभयाञ्चक्रुस्त्रयस्ते विश्वमोहनाः॥९॥
The three who enchant the universe reached the region of Citrakūṭa previously indicated by the sage, and their presence made it shine.
Passage 10
अचिरेणैव कालेन ददृशुर्जातकौतुकाः। चित्रकूटं महाशैलं गन्धमादनसन्निभम्॥१०॥
Before long, filled with wonder, they saw the great mountain Citrakūṭa, resembling Gandhamādana.
Passage 11
विचित्रभूरुहाकीर्णं लतामण्डपमञ्जुलम्। विचित्रपुष्पस्तबकरमणीयलताकुलम्॥११॥
It was covered with marvelous trees and lovely vine-pavilions, and thronged with creepers charming in their clusters of varied flowers.
Passage 12
विचित्रपक्षिसंदोहमधुरध्वनिनादितम्। उत्तुङ्गानेकशिखरनानावर्णमनोहरम्॥१२॥
It echoed with the sweet calls of many kinds of birds and delighted the eye with numerous lofty peaks of different colors.
Passage 13
नानानिर्झरनिर्ह्रादमिश्रझिल्लीगणस्वनम्। प्रभूतफलमूलाढ्यं प्रभूतमधुसम्भवम्॥१३॥
The roar of its many waterfalls mingled with the chorus of cicadas. It abounded in fruits and roots and produced plentiful honey.
Passage 14
रमणीयं महत्पुण्यं कन्दरामन्दिरान्वितम्। स्वादुस्वच्छाम्बुवाहिन्या मन्दाकिन्या विराजितम्॥१४॥
Beautiful and exceedingly holy, it was furnished with cave-dwellings and adorned by the Mandākinī, bearer of sweet, clear water.
Passage 15
नानाकुञ्जरयूथाढ्यं मृगयूथविराजितम्। कपालशिरसो नाम्नो महर्षेः स्थानमुत्तमम्॥१५॥
It held many herds of elephants and shone with troops of deer. It was the excellent dwelling of the great sage named Kapālaśiras.
Passage 16
अन्येषां च मुनीन्द्राणां स्थानभूतं मनोहरम्। विकसन्मञ्जुमन्दारपारिजातवनान्वितम्॥१६॥
It was also the enchanting abode of other eminent sages, with forests of lovely, blossoming mandāra and pārijāta trees.
Passage 17
कल्पवृक्षद्रुमच्छायाविश्रान्तमुनिमण्डलम्। कूजत्कोकिलभृङ्गौघशिखण्डिगणसेवितम्॥१७॥
Companies of sages rested in the shade of wish-fulfilling trees, while calling cuckoos, swarms of bees, and flocks of peacocks attended the mountain.
Passage 18
झिल्लीझङ्कारमधुरं चकोरीचयनादितम्। राजहंसकुलानन्दिसरसीशतसुन्दरम्॥१८॥
It was sweet with the hum of cicadas and the cries of coveys of cakora birds, and beautiful with hundreds of lakes that delighted families of royal swans.
Passage 19
फुल्लकुन्दकदम्बाग्रचम्पकद्रुमसंकुलम्। शीतात्ययसुसंफुल्लपद्मशोभिसरोजलम्॥१९॥
It was crowded with flowering kunda, kadamba, agra, and campaka trees. The waters of its lakes shone with lotuses fully opened at winter’s end.
Passage 20
प्रदीप्तकिंशुकाशोकपुष्पकान्तिमनोहरम्। भल्लातकवनच्छन्नं बिल्वतिन्दुकसंकुलम्॥२०॥
It enchanted the mind with the brilliance of blazing kiṃśuka and aśoka blossoms, was covered with groves of bhallātaka, and was dense with bilva and tinduka trees.
Passage 21
फलभारनतानेककपित्थपनसद्रुमम्। कदलीखण्डसंशोभिगह्वरोत्सादिनिर्झरम्॥२१॥
Its many kapittha and jackfruit trees bent beneath their fruit. Plantain groves adorned it, and waterfalls burst forth from its caves.
Passage 22
स्थले स्थले महातीर्थं त्रिजगत्यवनेर्युतम्। अतिपुण्यतमानेकशृङ्गोच्छ्रायविभूषितम्॥२२॥
At every place it held a great sacred ford endowed with power to protect the three worlds, and it was adorned by the soaring heights of many supremely holy peaks.
Passage 23
साक्षात्स्वर्गोपमं दिव्यं सुविस्तीर्णशिलातलम्। क्वचिन्मारकतैः शृङ्गैर्गगनं व्याप्य संस्थितम्॥२३॥
Divine and directly comparable to heaven, it possessed vast stone terraces. In places emerald peaks rose to fill the sky.
Passage 24
क्वचिद्रत्नमयैः क्वापि स्फाटिकैः सुमहोन्नतैः। क्वचिच्च माणिक्यमयैः क्वचित्स्वर्णमयैरपि॥२४॥
Some peaks were made of gems, some of crystal and exceedingly high; some were ruby, and still others golden.
Passage 25
क्वचित्सिन्दूरपूरेण सन्ध्यातपमिवारुणम्। क्वचिन्नवतृणाभासधातुभिर्हरितायितम्॥२५॥
In places deposits of vermilion made it red like the glow of evening; elsewhere minerals resembling fresh grass turned it green.
Passage 26
क्वचिद्धातुरसैः पीतैर्वसन्तमिव काञ्चनम्। अनेकधातुप्रभवमनेकाद्भुतसुन्दरम्॥२६॥
Elsewhere yellow mineral essences made it golden as spring. Born of many minerals, it was beautiful with countless wonders. Rāma Describes the Forest
Passage 27
वीक्ष्य रामो जनकजामब्रवीन्मधुरं वचः। रामणीयकमस्याद्रेः पश्य वैदेहि सम्प्रति॥२७॥
Seeing it, Rāma spoke sweetly to Janaka’s daughter: “Vaidehī, behold now the loveliness of this mountain.
Passage 28
अस्मदागमनोद्भूतसर्वर्तुसुपमाञ्चितम्। वनं प्रमोदयति मामध्युपत्यकमूर्जितम्॥२८॥
“Adorned by the fine beauty of every season awakened by our arrival, the splendid forest along the lower slopes delights me.
Passage 29
इमाः फलभरेण नम्राः पुष्पवत्यो महालताः। मन्दानिलेन कम्पन्ते कन्दर्पेणेव योषितः॥२९॥
“These great flowering vines, bowed beneath their fruit, tremble in the gentle wind like women stirred by Love.
Passage 30
पुष्पाञ्जलिमिवादाय स्थिताः पल्लवपाणिभिः। फलभारेण नम्रशीर्षा भक्त्यैव प्रयता द्रुमाः॥३०॥
“The trees stand with hands of young leaves bearing what seem to be offerings of flowers. Their heads bowed by the weight of fruit, they appear reverently intent on devotion.
Passage 31
अनुमन्दाकिनीं पश्य पुलिने पुष्पितान् द्रुमान्। वनराजिरियं पुण्या मनो मोदयते भृशम्॥३१॥
“Along the Mandākinī, see the flowering trees upon the bank. This holy line of woodland greatly delights the heart.
Passage 32
अत्रेमे तरवः सम्यक् फलभारैः समाकुलाः। कामं नः पूरयिष्यन्ति विनायासेन जीवनम्॥३२॥
“These trees here, completely laden with fruit, will readily provide everything we need to sustain life without toil.
Passage 33
नानाविधानि मूलानि स्वादूनि सुरभीणि च। फलानि पाकरम्याणि शाकानि विविधानि च॥३३॥
“There are roots of many kinds, sweet and fragrant; fruits delightful when ripe; and many varieties of greens.
Passage 34
उपायोक्ष्यामहे ईषत् प्राणवृत्त्यै विदेहजे। अत्र त्वत्पाणिचरणप्रतीकाशाः प्रभारुणाः॥३४॥
“Daughter of Videha, we shall use just a little of them to maintain life. Here are tender leaves, radiant and red, resembling your hands and feet.
Passage 35
दृश्यन्ते तरुवल्लीनां पल्लवाः पश्य तान् प्रिये। अत्र कूजन्त्यमी रम्यं पक्षिणः कोकिलादयः॥३५॥
“See, beloved, those young leaves appearing upon the trees and vines. Here the birds—cuckoos and others—sing beautifully.
Passage 36
अनङ्गवर्धनं मन्त्रं पठन्त इव सन्ततम्। निषण्णास्तरुशाखासु स्निग्धच्छायासु पल्लवैः॥३६॥
“Perched upon tree-branches whose leaves cast luxuriant shade, they seem continually to recite a spell that increases love.
Passage 37
सर्वर्तुसुखशोभाढ्यं वनमेतद्विलोक्यताम्। उपत्यकामनुगिरेर्नीलं पत्रौघसम्पदा॥३७॥
“Behold this forest, rich in the beauty and pleasure of every season. The lower ground along the mountain is blue-green with its wealth of foliage.
Passage 38
शृणुष्वात्र गिरौ रम्ये गायत्रीर्वनदेवताः। मूर्च्छयित्वा स्वरैर्वीणां पञ्चमोद्गारशालिनीः॥३८॥
“Listen here upon the lovely mountain to the forest goddesses singing, swelling the tones of their vīṇās and resounding in the fifth note.
Passage 39
तासामसूययेवेमाः कूजन्ति वनकोकिलाः। रसालशिरसि स्थित्वा नादिताशेषकाननाः॥३९॥
“As though jealous of them, these forest cuckoos call from the tops of mango trees and make the entire woodland ring.
Passage 40
इह वैदेहि परमां मनोमुदमवाप्स्यसि। निवसन्ती मया सार्धं सुखेन विहरिष्यसि॥४०॥
“Here, Vaidehī, you will attain the highest joy of heart. Living with me, you will wander happily.”
Passage 41
इत्येवं वर्णयन् रामो वैदेह्या जनयन् मुदम्। पश्यन् मन्दाकिनीं रम्यां पुष्पितोद्देशकाननाम्॥४१॥
Speaking in this way and awakening joy in Vaidehī, Rāma gazed upon the lovely Mandākinī and the flowering forests of the surrounding country. The Forest Home
Passage 42
सौमित्रिसहितः प्राप्तश्चित्रकूटं महागिरिम्। वासानुरूपमनिशं विलासोचितमात्मनः॥४२॥
Together with Sumitrā’s son, he reached the great mountain Citrakūṭa—a place always suited to his residence and worthy of his divine play.
Passage 43
ततस्तस्यैकपार्श्वे तौ भ्रातरौ प्रीतमानसौ। आवासं चक्रतुर्वीरौ सुस्निग्धौ रामलक्ष्मणौ॥४३॥
Then on one side of it the two affectionate, heroic brothers Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, their hearts content, made a dwelling.
Passage 44
लक्ष्मणो जानकीरामप्रीतिसंवर्धनीं पृथक्। पर्णशालां समातेने मनोज्ञशयनान्विताम्॥४४॥
Lakṣmaṇa separately constructed a leaf-hut furnished with a pleasing bed, a place that would increase the loving joy of Jānakī and Rāma.
Passage 45
आत्मने च ततश्चक्रे पर्णशालां लघीयसीम्। पत्रलतावितानैश्च वेत्रबद्धैः सुदारुभिः॥४५॥
He then made a smaller leaf-hut for himself, using canopies of foliage and vines, fine timbers bound with cane,
Passage 46
वंशैश्च हरितैः सम्यग्विधिना विनिवेशितैः। नानापर्णघनच्छन्ने पर्णशाले विरेजतुः॥४६॥
and green bamboos set properly in place. The two leaf-huts shone, thickly covered with many kinds of leaves.
Passage 47
सम्मार्जिते चोपलिप्ते संस्कृते च विशेषतः। ततश्च मृगमांसेन श्रपयित्वा चरुं शुभम्॥४७॥
After the place had been swept, plastered, and carefully prepared, Rāma cooked an auspicious sacrificial offering with venison.
Passage 48
इध्मैरग्निं परिज्वाल्य जुहुवे रघुसत्तमः। देवान् पितॄंश्च सम्पूज्य सर्वभूतानि चाहतः॥४८॥
The best of the Raghus kindled the fire with fuel and made the offering. He fully honored the gods, the ancestors, and all beings.
Passage 49
हुतशेषं ततः स्वादु धृत्वा पर्णपुटे प्रभुः। परिविष्टं सवैदेह्या सानुजो बुभुजे स्वयम्॥४९॥
Then the Lord placed the savory remainder of the offering in a folded leaf and, served by Vaidehī, ate it together with his younger brother.
Passage 50
सीतापि बुभुजे देवी स्वयं लक्ष्मीस्तदाज्ञया। तयोः शेषं समादाय स्थित्वैकान्ते शुभाशया॥५०॥
At his command, the goddess Sītā—Lakṣmī herself—also ate. With an auspicious heart, she sat apart and accepted what remained from the two brothers.
Passage 51
ततश्च तां पर्णमयीं मनोहरां प्रविश्य शालां रघुवंशाब्धिचन्द्रः। विनोदयामास विदेहजां रमां मुदा तदात्मैकरमां महामनाः॥५१॥
Then the great-hearted moon of the ocean of Raghu’s line entered that charming leaf-built hut and joyfully delighted Videha’s daughter, his beloved Ramā, whose pleasure rested in him alone. Life upon the Mountain
Passage 52
ब्रह्मोवाच— लक्ष्मणस्तावुपासीनो दासकृत्यपरायणः। आसीद्दूरे समीपे च यथाभिरुचितं तयोः॥५२॥
Brahmā said: Intent upon the duties of a servant, Lakṣmaṇa attended them, remaining distant or near according to the divine couple’s pleasure.
Passage 53
ते तत्र शैले विजने वनावृते मनोज्ञानानापशुपक्षिसंकुले। फलप्रसूनस्तबकोपशोभितद्रुमाकुले भूरिसुखा विजह्रिरे॥५३॥
There upon the solitary, forest-covered mountain—filled with many delightful animals and birds, and dense with trees adorned by clusters of fruit and flowers—they wandered in abundant happiness.
Passage 54
दरीषु रम्यासु वनेषु विस्फुरद्विचित्रवल्लीशतसंकुलेषु च। गुहासु तन्माल्यवतीतटेषु च प्रकाममध्यास्य महामुदं दधुः॥५४॥
Freely inhabiting its charming caves and forests crowded with hundreds of brilliant, varied vines, and the caverns and banks of the Mālyavatī, they possessed supreme joy.
Passage 55
जायापती तौ कृतधातुमण्डनौ विचित्रबर्हस्तबकोपशोभितौ। गुञ्जामणिस्रग्वरकान्तिधारिणौ विजह्रतुः शैलवरे यथासुखम्॥५५॥
The wife and husband decorated themselves with mountain pigments and shone with colorful clusters of peacock feathers. Wearing splendid, radiant garlands of guñjā beads, they roamed the excellent mountain as they pleased.
Passage 56
रामो रमां रमणीयैर्विलासैः साक्षात्परां सहजानन्दिनीं ताम्। प्रमोदयामास यथा प्रमोदवने मनोज्ञे सुखितेन्द्रधाम्नि॥५६॥
With beautiful pastimes Rāma delighted Ramā, that very supreme and innately blissful goddess, as though they were in the lovely Pramoda forest of the blissful divine realm.
Passage 57
ताः कन्दराः संस्तृतचारुपल्लवा दिव्यौषधीरत्नसमूहदीपिताः। अध्यास्य माणिक्यमयीश्च ताः शिलाः सदैव रामो रमयाम्बभूव ताम्॥५७॥
Dwelling in those caves carpeted with lovely leaves and illumined by hosts of divine herbs and jewels, and upon those ruby-made slabs, Rāma continually delighted her.