Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— वसन् गिरिवरे रामः सीतया सहितः प्रभुः। रसिकेन्द्रः स्वयं रेमे पौलोम्या सुरराडिव॥१॥
Brahmā said: Dwelling with Sītā upon that excellent mountain, Lord Rāma—the supreme connoisseur of divine love—delighted as Indra does with Paulomī.
Passage 2
प्रियामादाय मुदितामेकान्ते सञ्चरन् वने। विजहार विलासाढ्यः सर्वर्तुसुखदे गिरौ॥२॥
Taking his joyful beloved with him, he wandered through the secluded forest. Rich in loving play, he sported upon the mountain that gave the pleasure of every season.
Passage 3
उवाच गह्वरे कुञ्जे दर्शयित्वा प्रियां गिरिम्। वसन्तागमसंफुल्लमाधवीद्रुमसंकुलम्॥३॥
Within a cave-bower he showed the mountain to his beloved and spoke. It was crowded with mādhavī vines and trees blooming at spring’s arrival.
Passage 4
प्रिये वैदेहि दृष्ट्वेमं सर्वर्तुसुखदं गिरिम्। वनं च फलपुष्पाढ्यं कूजत्कोकिलनादितम्॥४॥
“Beloved Vaidehī, behold this mountain, delightful in every season, and this forest rich in fruit and flowers and resounding with calling cuckoos.
Passage 5
त्वां चानुकूलधिषणां सततं सुखदायिनीम्। न मन्ये मे गतं राज्यं न चापीष्टवियोजनम्॥५॥
“With you, whose understanding is ever attuned to me and who continually gives me joy, I do not regard my kingdom as lost, nor do I feel separated from what is dear.
Passage 6
यथास्य गिरिराजस्य धातुमन्ति बृहन्ति च। शृङ्गाणि खमिव व्याप्य स्थितानि जनकात्मजे॥६॥
“Daughter of Janaka, see how the great, mineral-rich peaks of this king of mountains stand as though filling the sky. Peaks, Trees, and Celestial Beings
Passage 7
केचित्कर्पूरधवलाः केचिद्बालातपारुणाः। केचिन्नवतृणाभासाः केचित्काञ्चनसन्निभाः॥७॥
“Some are white as camphor, some red as the young sun, some gleam like fresh grass, and some resemble gold.
Passage 8
पुष्परागोपमाः केचित्केचित्पद्मदलप्रभाः। केचिन्नवदलाभासाः केचिच्चित्रैर्विचित्रिताः॥८॥
“Some resemble topaz, some shine like lotus petals, some appear like new leaves, and others are patterned with many colors.
Passage 9
विभान्ति सानवस्तुङ्गा गिरेरस्य महोर्जिताः। अयं भुजैरिवामीभिर्दिशोऽष्टौ परिरम्भते॥९॥
“The lofty, mighty ridges of this mountain shine. With them as its arms, it seems to embrace all eight directions.
Passage 10
पश्य प्रियेऽद्य मधुना वनपक्षिगणेष्वपि। मन्मथस्य शरैर्नूनं सुविक्रान्तमिवाद्भुतम्॥१०॥
“Beloved, see today the wondrous conquest wrought by spring even among the forest birds, surely through the arrows of Love.
Passage 11
पश्येमां हरिणीं स्निग्धां मृगेनानुगतां वने। शृङ्गकण्डूयनोद्धूतपर्णसौख्यनिमीलिताम्॥११॥
“See this gentle doe followed by her stag in the forest, closing her eyes in the pleasure of leaves stirred when he rubs his antlers.
Passage 12
पश्येमां मल्लिकापुष्पे पिबन्तीं मधु निर्भरम्। अलिनीमलिना मत्तां झङ्कारकलगायिनीम्॥१२॥
“See this intoxicated female bee, dark in hue, drinking her fill of nectar from the jasmine and singing melodiously in her humming tone.
Passage 13
पश्येमास्तरुभिः सार्धं मिलिता ललिता लताः। पुष्पमन्दस्मितोद्गाराः प्रोत्तुङ्गस्तबकस्तनीः॥१३॥
“See these graceful vines joined to the trees, flowers opening like gentle smiles and their high clusters resembling breasts.
Passage 14
आम्रैर्माधविकाः श्लिष्टाः कलयन्ति परां मुदम्। आम्रातकैश्च माधुर्यैः परिरम्भसुनिर्वृताः॥१४॥
“Mādhavī vines clasp the mango trees and create supreme delight; embraced by sweet āmrātaka trees, they appear completely content.
Passage 15
लोध्रैर्मालतिकाः स्निग्धा आलिङ्गनमुपागताः। प्रियकैः पृथुदोःशाखैरतिमुक्तलता अपि॥१५॥
“Tender mālatī vines have entered the embrace of lodhra trees, while atimuktaka creepers cling to priyaka trees whose broad branches are arms.
Passage 16
ककुभैः कुन्दमन्दारैरक्षोटैः पनसद्रुमैः। मधूकैर्बकुलैर्बिल्वैस्तिलकैः कोविदारकैः॥१६॥
“They unite with kakubha, kunda, mandāra, walnut, and jackfruit trees; with madhūka, bakula, bilva, tilaka, and kovidāra;
Passage 17
नीपैरामलकैश्चैव बदरैर्बन्धुजीवकैः। प्रियालैः कर्णिकारैश्च शालैस्तालैस्तमालकैः॥१७॥
“with nīpa, āmalaka, jujube, and bandhujīvaka; and with priyāla, karṇikāra, śāla, palm, and tamāla trees.
Passage 18
नानाजातिलताः श्लिष्टाः फलपुष्पोपसेविताः। अङ्कुरोद्भिन्नवपुषः कलयन्ति कुतूहलम्॥१८॥
“Many kinds of vines, entwined with them and attended by fruit and flowers, display bodies bursting with shoots and awaken wonder.
Passage 19
कम्पन्ते किमपि हृष्टा मन्दानिलविलोलिताः। युक्ताः सात्त्विकभावेन मनोजशरलक्षिताः॥१९॥
“Delighted, they tremble indescribably as the gentle wind sways them, as though filled with an ecstatic transformation and struck by Love’s arrow.
Passage 20
अपि पश्य मनोज्ञेषु गिरेः प्रस्थेषु किन्नरान्। स्वस्वप्रियासमासक्तान् मदनोन्मादशालिनः॥२०॥
“See also the kinnaras upon the mountain’s lovely plateaus, each absorbed in a beloved and filled with the rapture of Love.
Passage 21
विद्याधरीणां पश्यैते क्रीडोद्देशा मनोरमाः। जलनिर्झरसंशीताः पुष्पसौरभगालिनः॥२१॥
“See these enchanting playgrounds of the vidyādharī women, cooled by waterfalls and streaming with the fragrance of flowers.
Passage 22
अमी सम्मुदिताः सन्ति वरटाभिः सहान्विताः। राजहंसाः सरस्तोये पद्मसौरभशालिनि॥२२॥
“Those royal swans rejoice together with their mates in lake-water rich with the fragrance of lotuses.
Passage 23
लतावितानच्छन्नानि वनानि विविधैर्द्रुमैः। निरातपमनोज्ञानि कुर्वन्ति महतीं मुदम्॥२३॥
“The forests, filled with varied trees and covered by canopies of vines, are lovely and free from the sun’s heat; they bring great delight.
Passage 24
कानिचिद्गह्वराण्यत्र निकुञ्जैरतिसंकुलैः। परितः सान्धकाराणि मध्ये दिव्यौषधित्विषा॥२४॥
“Some caves here are densely surrounded by bowers and dark on every side, yet within they glow with the radiance of divine herbs.
Passage 25
भास्वराणि नदच्चित्रद्विजालिकुलवन्ति च। अन्तरुत्फुल्लपुष्पौघशोभावन्ति विदेहजे॥२५॥
“They are luminous and contain flocks of many calling birds; daughter of Videha, their interiors are beautiful with masses of fully opened flowers.
Passage 26
कुर्वन्ति मनसः प्रीतिं चित्रशालोपमान्यलम्। अनङ्गकेलिकारीणि जनयन्ति मनोरुचिम्॥२६॥
“Resembling painted chambers, they greatly delight the heart. As places for the play of Love, they awaken desire in the mind. The Rivers and the Mountain’s Heart
Passage 27
पश्य माल्यवतीमेतां तरङ्गावर्तशालिनीम्। मन्दाकिनीं तदद्वन्द्वनवशाद्वलशालिनीम्॥२७॥
“See this Mālyavatī, rich in waves and whirlpools, and the Mandākinī, whose two banks are rich with fresh green grass.
Passage 28
अस्यास्तटद्वयेऽप्येषा वनराजी विराजते। निरन्तरपयःसेकप्रौढभूरुहसंकुला॥२८॥
“Along both its banks this line of woodland shines, crowded with mature trees continually watered by the river.
Passage 29
अत्र मे महती चित्ते रतिः सम्परिवर्धते। तन्वि त्वया सहैकान्ते चरतोऽनन्यचेतसा॥२९॥
“Slender one, as I wander here alone with you, my thoughts fixed on none else, great delight grows within my heart.
Passage 30
अस्मिन् गिरौ निवसतो वनेषु चरतो मम। त्वमेव पद्मपत्राक्षि रक्षित्री कामसायकात्॥३०॥
“Lotus-petal-eyed one, while I dwell on this mountain and roam its forests, you alone protect me from the arrow of Love.
Passage 31
इदमेकं फलं लब्धं सुकृतस्य मयाधुना। प्राप्तः स्वर्गोपमो वासः शैलेऽस्मिन् यत्त्वया सह॥३१॥
“I have now gained this single fruit of my merit: upon this mountain I have obtained a dwelling like heaven together with you.
Passage 32
रमस्व ननु वैदेहि मया सह गिराविह। पश्यन्ती विविधां शोभां कामोद्दीपनकारिणीम्॥३२॥
“Then delight here with me upon the mountain, Vaidehī, beholding its varied beauty, which kindles love.
Passage 33
इमाः शैलस्य शोभन्ते विचित्राः शतशः शिलाः। हैम्यश्च मारकत्यश्च राजत्यश्चातिशोणिताः॥३३॥
“Hundreds of wondrous rocks beautify the mountain—golden, emerald, silver, and deep red.
Passage 34
आसामुपरि वल्लीनां पुष्पवर्षेण सन्ततम्। राजन्ते विपुलाः शय्या मृदुलास्तरणैः स्तृताः॥३४॥
“Upon them, beneath the vines’ continual rain of flowers, broad couches shine, spread with soft coverings.
Passage 35
इमा औषधयः शोभां दीपिका इव कुर्वते। प्रकाशं गिरिराजस्य बाह्याभ्यन्तरतो दिशम्॥३५॥
“These luminous herbs create beauty like little lamps, casting light through the outer and inner regions of the king of mountains.
Passage 36
किंस्विदेकशिलाकारः सारोऽयं धरणीधरः। एको मणिरिव स्थूलो भित्त्वेव भुवमुत्थितः॥३६॥
“Could the solid heart of this mountain be one single rock? It rises vast from the earth as though one immense jewel had broken through the ground. The Forest Dearer than Kingship
Passage 37
विहृत्यास्मिन् वने तन्वि विलासैर्मधुमाधवैः। विरच्य चम्पकैर्माला नागपुन्नागकेसरैः॥३७॥
“Slender one, after sporting in this forest with the pastimes of spring, I shall fashion garlands from campaka and the filaments of nāga and punnāga,
Passage 38
अतिमुक्तैर्मल्लिकाभिर्वकुलैः किंशुकोद्भवैः। अन्यैश्च विविधैः पुष्पैः पद्मैः पद्मदलैस्तथा॥३८॥
“from atimuktaka, jasmine, bakula, and kiṃśuka blossoms, from many other varied flowers, and from lotuses and lotus petals.
Passage 39
विधाय भूषाविन्यासं वनश्रियमिवाद्भुताम्। रमयिष्यामि तन्वि त्वां यदि त्वमनुमन्यसे॥३९॥
“If you consent, slender one, I shall arrange these wondrous ornaments like the forest’s own splendor and give you delight.
Passage 40
अयं हि त्रिविधो वायुरग्रेसर इवातनोः। आयाति शासने कुर्वञ्छृङ्गारैकमयं जगत्॥४०॥
“This threefold breeze comes like the advance messenger of bodiless Love, bringing the world under his command and filling it entirely with romance.
Passage 41
पश्यात्र शैले पालि विहतानां स्ववल्लभैः। किन्नरीणामुरोहाराः वित्रस्ताः पतिता भुवि॥४१॥
“See here upon the mountain, dear companion, the breast-garlands of kinnara women, disordered by their lovers and fallen upon the ground.
Passage 42
पश्येमा मृदिताः शैल पुष्पशय्याः सुकोमलाः। रतिमल्लमहायुद्धेऽपविद्धाश्च मणिस्रजः॥४२॥
“Mountain, behold these soft flower-beds crushed in the great wrestling-battle of love, and these jeweled garlands cast aside.
Passage 43
यावकाञ्जनसिन्दूरमणिमुक्तादिवस्तुभिः। सम्पन्नः शैलराजोऽयं क्रीडास्थानं मतं मम॥४३॥
“This king of mountains is furnished with red lac, collyrium, vermilion, gems, pearls, and other treasures. I regard it as the perfect ground for play.
Passage 44
किं करोमि पुरीवासं किं करोमि नृपश्रियम्। किं करोमि गजानश्वान् किं करोमि महीमिमाम्॥४४॥
“What need have I of life in a city? What need have I of royal splendor? What need have I of elephants and horses, or even of this whole earth?
Passage 45
त्वमेका स्पृहणीया मे लोलनेत्रा नितम्बिनी। पीनस्तनी दीर्घकेशी पूर्णचन्द्रनिभानना॥४५॥
“You alone are desirable to me—restless-eyed and shapely, full-breasted and long-haired, your face resembling the full moon.
Passage 46
इदं च विपिनं रम्यं गिरिगह्वरगोचरम्। प्रमोदवनसंकाशं स्पृहणीयं सदा मम॥४६॥
“And this lovely woodland extending through the mountain caves, resembling the Pramoda forest, is always dear to me.
Passage 47
लक्ष्मणश्च प्रियो भ्राता हितकारी वशंवदः। अनुकूलः सदा शान्तः स्पृहणीयो विशेषतः॥४७॥
“My dear brother Lakṣmaṇa, who serves our welfare and obeys us, ever agreeable and peaceful, is especially precious.”
Passage 48
इत्यालप्य प्रियां तां परमसहचरीं सर्वभावानुकूलां कन्दर्पात्तापसिद्धौषधिमिव रुचिरामाददानः करेण। प्रेम्णा संक्षुब्धचित्तः पदि पदि सुखयन् चुम्बनालिङ्गनाद्यै रेमे सम्यग्विलासी प्रमोदवनगतः प्रेमवत्या यथा प्राक्॥४८॥
Speaking thus to his beloved—his supreme companion, attuned to him in every feeling—he took her lovely hand as though she were the perfected medicine for Love’s fever. His heart stirred by love, he gave her happiness at every step with kisses, embraces, and other expressions of affection. The consummate lover delighted with his loving lady as he had formerly done in Pramoda forest.