Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— रामो जनकजां वीक्ष्य वाक्यमेतदवोचत। एतान् मम सुहृद्बन्धून् प्रीत्या भोजय सुन्दरि॥१॥
Brahmā said: Looking toward Janaka's daughter, Rāma said, “Beautiful one, lovingly feed these friends and relatives of mine.
Passage 2
त्वं हि पाकेषु कुशला पीयूषस्वादुवस्तुषु। अलौकिकेषु भव्येषु षड्रसेषु च भूरिषु॥२॥
“You are skilled in preparing many magnificent, otherworldly foods, sweet as nectar and endowed with all six tastes.
Passage 3
चतुर्विधेषु दिव्येषु पक्वान्नेषु रसेषु च। अनेकसंविधाढ्येषु नानारूपेषु चारुषु॥३॥
“You know the four kinds of divine prepared foods and drinks, rich in countless varieties, beautiful, and assuming many forms.
Passage 4
दधिमध्वाज्यपृक्तेषु मधुरेषु सहस्रशः। अनग्निपाकपक्वेषु फलशाकादिभूरिषु॥४॥
“There are thousands of sweet preparations mixed with curds, honey, and clarified butter, and many fruits, vegetables, and other foods ripened without the use of fire.
Passage 5
मुदावहेषु रुच्येषु संक्लृप्तेषु च सर्वशः। मद्भक्तलक्ष्मीष्टेषु पुनत्सु बहिरन्तरम्॥५॥
“They are pleasing, delightful, perfectly prepared in every way, cherished by Lakṣmī, my devotee, and purifying both outwardly and inwardly.
Passage 6
स्वाद्वन्नफलसम्भारैस्तैरेतान् भोजय प्रिये। पत्रशाकादिरुचिरैः षड्रसैश्च चतुर्विधैः॥६॥
“Beloved, feed them with those stores of delicious food and fruit, with pleasing leafy vegetables and other dishes, with the six tastes and four kinds of food.
Passage 7
सत्पात्रसिद्धैः पूतैश्च विविधानेकभक्षणैः। सानुगं सपरीवारमामन्त्र्य सुखितेश्वरम्॥७॥
“Invite lord Sukhita together with his followers and family, and serve them the many pure foods prepared in excellent vessels.
Passage 8
भोजयस्व विशेषेण माङ्गल्यां मम मातरम्। यस्या गृहे मया भुक्ता भोगाश्च विविधा रसाः॥८॥
“Especially feed Māṅgalyā, my mother, in whose home I enjoyed many kinds of flavorful delicacies.
Passage 9
ताविमौ मद्गृहं प्राप्तौ पर्णशालाभिधं वने। आनन्दय स्वानुभावेन राजपुत्रि विशेषतः॥९॥
“These two have now come to my forest home, known as a leaf-hut. Princess, delight them especially through your own divine power.” Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā Summon Their Powers
Passage 10
इत्युक्त्वा जानकीं रामो लक्ष्मणं प्राह सत्वरम्। रच्यन्तां विविधा भोगा गोपानां सुखहेतवे॥१०॥
Having spoken thus to Jānakī, Rāma quickly told Lakṣmaṇa, “Let many kinds of enjoyments be prepared for the happiness of the cowherds.”
Passage 11
तथेति स प्रभोराज्ञां शिरसादाय लक्ष्मणः। स्वां शक्तिमद्भुताकारां दध्यौ मीलितलोचनः॥११॥
Saying, “So be it,” Lakṣmaṇa received his Lord's command upon his head, closed his eyes, and meditated upon his own power of wondrous form.
Passage 12
जानकी च महाभागा सस्मार स्वसखीस्तदा। आविरासुः समस्तास्ताः स्मरणानुग्रहक्षणे॥१२॥
The greatly blessed Jānakī then remembered her companions, and at the very moment of that gracious recollection they all appeared.
Passage 13
कमलेशीप्रभृतयो नदीरूपा मनोहराः। सुवर्णहलकृष्टायां जनकस्य महीपतेः॥१३॥
The enchanting river-formed goddesses headed by Kamaleśī were those who had appeared when King Janaka's earth was ploughed with a golden plough.
Passage 14
यज्ञवेद्यां पुरा जाताः कञ्जनेत्राः सहैव याः। बद्धाञ्जलिपुटाः सर्वाः पुरस्तात्समुपस्थिताः॥१४॥
Long ago they had been born together at the sacrificial altar. Now all those lotus-eyed companions stood before Sītā with joined palms.
Passage 15
चन्द्राननाः पद्मदृशः सुरूपाः सुवर्णचाम्पेयकचारुगात्राः। स्मितत्विषा पर्वतकाननं तत् प्रकाशयन्त्यः स्तनभारनम्राः॥१५॥
Moon-faced, lotus-eyed, and exquisitely formed, their lovely bodies resembled golden campaka blossoms. Bent by the weight of their breasts, they illuminated the mountain forest with the radiance of their smiles.
Passage 16
नितम्बबिम्बोद्वहनप्रयत्ना- दालस्यभावाञ्चितचारुयात्राः। भ्रूसंज्ञया मैथिलराजपुत्र्या बद्धादराः कार्यसहस्रकर्त्र्यः॥१६॥
The effort of bearing their rounded hips lent their graceful gait a touch of languor. Able to perform a thousand tasks, they respectfully awaited the slightest signal from the brows of Mithilā's princess.
Passage 17
स्वयमाज्ञापयामास ताः सखीर्जनकात्मजा। सख्यो निमन्त्रिता अद्य राघवेन्द्रस्य बान्धवाः॥१७॥
Janaka's daughter personally instructed those companions: “Friends, today the relatives of the lord of the Raghus have been invited.
Passage 18
एतान् दिव्यमहाभोगैरात्मशक्तिप्रसाधितैः। सम्भोजयितुमिच्छामि भवत्यः साधयन्तु तान्॥१८॥
“I wish to feast them with magnificent divine enjoyments produced by our own power. Please prepare them.”
Passage 19
इत्युक्ताः स्मितमुख्यस्ताः सीतया राजकन्यया। चक्रुरात्मानुभावेन विविधा भोगसंविधाः॥१९॥
Thus addressed by Princess Sītā, the smiling companions used their own divine power to create arrangements for every kind of enjoyment. The Jeweled Palace
Passage 20
उद्दिदीपे गिरौ तस्मिन् प्रासादः सुमहोन्नतः। रत्नतोरणमालाभिरलंकृतनिकेतनः॥२०॥
Upon that mountain a vast and lofty palace blazed forth, its halls adorned with rows of jeweled gateways.
Passage 21
परिणाहिसमाबद्धरत्नोपलमहाजिरः। मणिकुट्टिमसंशोभी गवाक्षशतसुन्दरः॥२१॥
Its immense courtyard was encircled by great jeweled stones. It shone with gem-paved floors and was beautiful with hundreds of windows.
Passage 22
समन्ताद्दीपितः सौवर्णप्राकारखचितैः शुभैः। महारत्नैर्मनोहारी भोगसम्भारसम्भृतः॥२२॥
It gleamed on every side with splendid golden ramparts inlaid with great gems, enchanting the heart and filled with stores of every pleasure.
Passage 23
संफुल्लानेकविटपिप्रसूनवरसौरभैः। गुञ्जद्भ्रमरपुञ्जाढ्यैर्गृहारामैरनेकशः॥२३॥
It possessed many pleasure gardens, fragrant with the finest blossoms from countless flowering trees and filled with swarms of humming bees.
Passage 24
शोभितोऽन्तर्बहिश्चैव दिव्यस्त्रीनिवहाश्रितः। दिव्यभोगसमायुक्तः सर्वरत्नसमन्वितः॥२४॥
Inside and out it was beautified by hosts of celestial women, furnished with divine enjoyments, and filled with every kind of jewel.
Passage 25
अनर्घोद्दीपनकरैः पदार्थैश्च सहस्रशः। अन्वितः सुमहाशालैरावासैश्चाप्यनेकशः॥२५॥
Thousands of priceless, radiant objects filled it, together with many immense halls and dwelling places.
Passage 26
वलभीभवनोपेतरत्नोद्भवातायनान्वितः। अन्तर्बहिर्गृहैर्गूढः सर्वभोगसमन्वितैः॥२६॥
It had upper chambers, mansions, and windows formed from jewels, and was enclosed within and without by apartments supplied with every enjoyment.
Passage 27
सर्वर्तुसुखभोगाढ्यैरन्वितः कान्तिसंयुतः। निःश्रेणिकाभिस्तुङ्गाभिरासादितनभस्तलः॥२७॥
Radiant and furnished with delightful pleasures for every season, it reached the sky through its lofty flights of stairs.
Passage 28
मुक्तामयीभिः सद्रत्ननिर्मिताभिः सुकान्तिभिः। महामारकतीभिश्च वेदीभूमिभिरनेकशः॥२८॥
It had many beautiful terraces made of pearls and fine jewels, and great platforms formed from emerald.
Passage 29
सोपानिकाभिः पद्माभिर्भित्तिभिः सौवर्णपङ्क्तिभिः। उज्जागरः सुशोभाढ्यो भूरिस्तम्भसमन्वितः॥२९॥
Resplendent with lotus-shaped stairways, walls lined with gold, and a multitude of pillars, the palace shone in surpassing beauty.
Passage 30
लक्ष्मणस्येच्छया सद्यो व्यजृम्भत महागिरौ। नभस्तलसमालम्बी रत्नप्रासाद उत्तमः॥३०॥
By Lakṣmaṇa's will, that supreme jeweled palace instantly expanded upon the great mountain and rose to touch the sky. Sītā's Companions Become Wish-Bearing Rivers
Passage 31
सद्रत्नखचितानेकवापीकूपसरोवरः। संफुल्लकमलारण्यपरागमधुमारुतः॥३१॥
Many stepwells, wells, and lakes inlaid with fine gems appeared, while a sweet breeze carried pollen from forests of fully opened lotuses.
Passage 32
सीतासखीनां विभवाः सद्यस्तत्र बभासिरे। उवाह कमलेशान्याः प्रवाहः पयसां भरैः॥३२॥
The powers of Sītā's companions immediately shone forth there. Kamaleśānī's current flowed in abundant streams of milk.
Passage 33
तत्कूलकर्दमो जातः साक्षात्पायस उत्तमः। तटस्थास्तरवो रेजुः पक्वान्नफलशालिनः॥३३॥
The mud upon its banks became excellent rice pudding itself, while the trees along the shore shone laden with fruits of prepared foods.
Passage 34
सुधारास्वादुफलाः केचिद्भूरुहास्तत्क्षणे बभुः। अवहत् कौशिकीस्रोतः सितारसमयं क्षणात्॥३४॥
In that instant some trees bore fruit tasting like streams of nectar, and the Kauśikī flowed with a current made of sweet white juice.
Passage 35
अनेकेक्षुविकाराश्च जातास्तस्याः प्रवाहतः। यत्र कुत्रापि सुलभा भोगिनां व्रजवासिनाम्॥३५॥
From her current arose many preparations of sugarcane, readily available wherever the feasting residents of Vraja might desire them.
Passage 36
घोषवत्याः प्रवाहोऽभूत् सद्यो दधिमयस्तदा। स्वादूनि नवनीतानि प्रादुरासुरितस्ततः॥३६॥
The river Ghoṣavatī's current instantly became curds, and delicious fresh butter appeared here and there.
Passage 37
चन्द्रवर्णं सुधास्वादु दधि तस्या व्यशोभत। पीयूषाधिकसारं च नवनीतं ततोऽधिकम्॥३७॥
Her curds shone with the color of the moon and the taste of nectar, while the fresh butter possessed an essence surpassing even ambrosia.
Passage 38
द्रुमतायाः सरितः स्रोतः सान्द्रमधुमयं बभौ। अघवारा प्रवाहोऽभूदाज्यवाही मनोहरः॥३८॥
The current of the river Drumatā gleamed with thick honey, while Aghavārā became a captivating stream bearing clarified butter.
Passage 39
सर्वास्ताः कामवाहिन्यो नद्यस्तत्राभवन् क्षणात्। स्वयं लक्ष्मीः सरिद्रूपा सर्वसम्पन्मयी बभौ॥३९॥
In an instant all those rivers carried whatever was desired. Lakṣmī herself, in the form of a river, shone as the embodiment of every prosperity.
Passage 40
नानापुष्परसोपेता नानामधुरसाञ्चिता। अनेकविधमेरेयवाहिनी रत्नकूलिनी॥४०॥
She was filled with the essences of many flowers and accumulated varieties of sweet juice, carried many kinds of fragrant drink, and had jeweled banks.
Passage 41
सुवर्णकर्दमोपेता स्वच्छशीतहिमोदका। फुल्लत्कमलकह्लारकुमुदारण्यसंयुता॥४१॥
Her mud was gold and her water clear, cool, and icy. She was joined by forests of blooming lotuses, white water lilies, and night lotuses.
Passage 42
विकचामन्दमन्दारकुञ्जमण्डपमण्डिता। लतावितानसंशोभिद्वीपभूमिविभूषिता॥४२॥
She was adorned with bowers and pavilions of fully opened, gently swaying mandāra blossoms, and with islands beautified by canopies of vines.
Passage 43
कूजत्कोकिलभृङ्गौघकेकिमण्डितकानना। मल्लिकावल्लिकाजुष्टभूरुहस्तोमकूलिनी॥४३॥
Her forests were adorned by singing cuckoos, swarms of bees, and calling peacocks; the trees crowding her banks were embraced by jasmine vines. Music, Gifts, and Festal Splendor
Passage 44
एता जनकजासख्यो मूर्तिमत्यश्च संस्थिताः। शृङ्गारवेशरुचिरा नानोपायनपाणयः॥४४॥
These companions of Janaka's daughter also stood there in embodied form, lovely in festal dress and bearing many gifts in their hands.
Passage 45
आज्ञापितार्थकारिण्यः स्मितमञ्जुतमाननाः। नानाकेलिकलाभ्यस्ताः कौतूहलविशेषिताः॥४५॥
They carried out every command, their faces charming with smiles. Skilled in many arts of play, they were filled with delighted curiosity.
Passage 46
जगुस्तत्र कलं गीतं दिव्याः केचन गायकाः। नर्तक्यो ननृतुस्तत्र दिव्यवेशविभूषिताः॥४६॥
Celestial singers sang melodiously there, and dancers adorned in divine dress performed their dances.
Passage 47
अवादयंश्च वाद्यानि नानावाद्यविचक्षणाः। इच्छया जानकीदेव्याः कौतूहलमवर्तत॥४७॥
Musicians expert in many instruments played, and by Goddess Jānakī's will a wondrous festivity unfolded.
Passage 48
गीतवादित्रनृत्यादि तत्र दिव्यमवर्तत। अशोभततरां तत्र संफुल्लः कुसुमाकरः॥४८॥
Divine song, instrumental music, dancing, and more proceeded there, while the fully blossoming spring season shone with exceptional beauty.
Passage 49
शोभा यादृच्छिकी सर्वा प्रावर्तत महागिरौ। रामेण क्रियमाणेऽस्मिन् सुखितातिथ्यकर्मणि॥४९॥
As Rāma arranged this hospitality for Sukhita, every spontaneously arising kind of splendor spread across the great mountain.
Passage 50
चन्द्रचन्दनकाश्मीरकालागुरुभवा द्रवाः। पटवासाश्च वासांसि भूषणानि च भूरिशः॥५०॥
There appeared liquids prepared from camphor, sandalwood, saffron, black aloe, and other fragrances, together with perfumed powders, garments, and ornaments in abundance.
Passage 51
रत्नविद्रुममुक्तानां हीरकाणां स्फुरद्रुचाम्। मणीनां चैव जात्यानां माणिक्यानां सहस्रशः॥५१॥
There were thousands of gems, corals, pearls, flashing diamonds, precious stones of every kind, and rubies.
Passage 52
सम्भाराः पर्वते तस्मिन् व्यदृश्यन्त समन्ततः। अधित्यकोपत्यकाश्च कन्दराश्चैव पाल्यः॥५२॥
Stores of provisions appeared everywhere upon the mountain—on its heights and foothills, in its caves, and throughout its settlements.
Passage 53
प्रस्थाश्च चित्रकूटाद्रेर्बहिरन्तश्च भूमयः। रत्नदीपशिखासंघैर्भासिताः शशभस्तराम्॥५३॥
The plateaus of Citrakūṭa and the lands both within and beyond it were illumined by clusters of jeweled lamp flames brighter than moonbeams.
Passage 54
अभूदन्यदिवोद्भूतं रूपमद्रेः समन्ततः। अलौकिकश्रियोपेतं गोपानां हृदयङ्गमम्॥५४॥
On every side the mountain assumed a form as though arisen from another heaven, endowed with unearthly splendor and captivating the cowherds' hearts.
Passage 55
आतिथ्यं खलु सुखितव्रजेश्वरस्य श्रीरामे सपदि निजेच्छया चिकीर्षौ। श्रीरासीदभिनवसम्पदाभ्युपेता शैलस्याखिलसुखसाधनाभियोग्या॥५५॥
When Śrī Rāma desired at once, by his own will, to extend hospitality to Sukhita, lord of Vraja, the mountain's divine splendor appeared endowed with fresh abundance and perfectly equipped with every means of delight.