Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— तदीक्ष्य दिव्यभवनं दिव्यरत्नोपशोभितम्। विसिस्मियेतरां चित्ते गोपराजो महामनाः॥१॥
Brahmā said: Seeing that celestial mansion resplendent with divine gems, the noble-minded cowherd king was filled with wonder.
Passage 2
तत्रासनं ददौ रामो गोपेन्द्राय महात्मने। महार्हं रत्नवेद्यं मुक्तामाणिक्यमण्डितम्॥२॥
There Rāma gave the great cowherd lord a precious seat upon a jeweled dais, adorned with pearls and rubies.
Passage 3
तत्रासीनः स शुशुभे गोपेन्द्रः प्रेमविह्वलः। गोपालमण्डलीमध्ये तारावृन्दे विधुर्यथा॥३॥
Seated there and overwhelmed with love, the cowherd lord shone amid the circle of cowherds like the moon among a host of stars.
Passage 4
प्राप्य माङ्गल्यका गोपी रामादिष्टं वरासनम्। गोपीगणान्तः शुशुभे रोहिणीवोडुमण्डले॥४॥
The cowherdess Māṅgalyakā received the excellent seat assigned by Rāma and shone among the gopīs like Rohiṇī amid the constellations.
Passage 5
गोपमण्डलमध्यस्थः सुखितेन्द्रो मुदान्वितः। गोपीमण्डलमध्यस्था माङ्गल्या च महामनाः॥५॥
Sukhita, lord of the cowherds, sat joyfully among the cowherd men, while the noble Māṅgalyā sat among the cowherd women.
Passage 6
लब्ध्वा बहुतरं मानं शुशुभातेतरामुभौ। श्रीरामलक्ष्मणालोकसानन्दद्रुतमानसौ॥६॥
Having received abundant honor, the two shone all the more, their hearts melting with joy at the sight of Śrī Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. Bathing, Adornment, and the Feast
Passage 7
अवगाह्य सुधाशुभ्रं सरसां वारि शीतलम्। दिव्याम्बरपरीधानः शुशुभे गोकुलेश्वरः॥७॥
The lord of Gokula immersed himself in the lakes' cool, nectar-clear water and then shone in celestial garments.
Passage 8
स्वयं लक्ष्म्या समानीतमङ्गरागं सुसौरभम्। विलिप्य सर्वगात्रेषु जगाहे परमां मुदम्॥८॥
He applied to every limb the exquisitely fragrant unguent brought by Lakṣmī herself and entered into supreme delight.
Passage 9
कापि वासांस्यानिनाय कापि भूषणधोरणीम्। काचिन्माल्यानि दिव्यानि काचित्ताम्बूलभाजनम्॥९॥
One attendant brought garments, another a profusion of ornaments, another celestial garlands, and another a vessel of betel.
Passage 10
एवं ताः परिचेरुस्तं देव्यादिष्टास्तदालयाः। मुमुदेऽतीव गोपेन्द्रो महर्द्धिमभिवीक्ष्य ताः॥१०॥
Thus the women of that household, directed by the Goddess, attended him. The cowherd lord rejoiced greatly on seeing their magnificent splendor.
Passage 11
इत्थमेवाखिलान् गोपान् परिचेरुः सरिद्वराः। कृत्वा रूपाणि रम्याणि शतधा च सहस्रधा॥११॥
In the same way, the excellent rivers assumed hundreds and thousands of lovely forms and attended all the cowherd men.
Passage 12
सुस्नाता अनुलिप्ताश्च भूषिताः पटभूषणैः। पीतसुस्वादुमैरेयाः केलिमन्तः परस्परम्॥१२॥
Well bathed, anointed, and adorned with fine cloth and ornaments, they drank delicious maireya and sported with one another.
Passage 13
प्रीत्या बुभुजिरे गोपाः स्निग्धमन्नं चतुर्विधम्। सुस्वादु षड्रसोपेतं भूयः समुपकल्पितम्॥१३॥
With delight the cowherds ate the four kinds of rich food, deliciously prepared in abundance and endowed with all six tastes.
Passage 14
युक्तं बहुविधं चैव नानापात्रेषु कल्पितम्। सुसंस्कृतं सुधासिक्तं फलशाकादिसंयुतम्॥१४॥
Many varieties were arranged in diverse vessels, expertly prepared, steeped in nectar, and accompanied by fruits, vegetables, and other foods.
Passage 15
विविधानि च मांसानि पशूनां पक्षिणां तथा। लवणार्द्रकहिङ्ग्वाद्यमरिचाक्तानि कानिचित्॥१५॥
There were also various meats of animals and birds, some seasoned with salt, ginger, asafoetida, and pepper.
Passage 16
एकैकमेकैकगतामर्षं च लोपयद्भृशम्। अन्नं बहुविधं तत्र नीतं सीतासखीगणैः॥१६॥
Each of the many foods brought there by Sītā's companions thoroughly dispelled any displeasure associated with the others. The first half of the printed Sanskrit is syntactically compressed; this translation preserves its contrast among the individual preparations without silently emending the root.
Passage 17
बुभुजुर्गोपनिवहाः पङ्क्तिबन्धनिवेशिताः। हसन्तो हासयन्तश्च रामदर्शनसोत्सवाः॥१७॥
Seated in orderly rows, the companies of cowherds ate, laughing and making one another laugh, their festival heightened by the sight of Rāma.
Passage 18
रामश्च लक्ष्मणश्चैव देवी च जनकात्मजा। गोपौघपरिचर्यायां बभूवुर्बद्धमानसाः॥१८॥
Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, and the Goddess, Janaka's daughter, devoted their full attention to serving the multitude of cowherds.
Passage 19
सादरं भगवान् रामो भोजयन् गोपमण्डलीम्। अतिकौतूहलोपेत आविष्ट इव चाभवत्॥१९॥
Reverently feeding the assembly of cowherds, Lord Rāma became so absorbed in his intense delight that he seemed possessed by it.
Passage 20
भोजयन्ती सखीवृन्दैर्जानकी गोपदारकान्। शुशुभेऽतितरां देवी रतिकोटिमनोहरा॥२०॥
As Jānakī and her circles of companions fed the cowherd children, the Goddess, more enchanting than millions of Ratis, shone with exceptional beauty.
Passage 21
केचिन्मधुरसोन्मत्ता गोपाला जातसम्भ्रमाः। जगुर्जगर्जुर्नेनृतुर्मुदा परवशीकृताः॥२१॥
Some cowherds, intoxicated by the sweet drink and overcome with joy, became wildly excited: they sang, roared, and danced.
Passage 22
गोपीगणा एकपङ्क्तिनिविष्टा दिव्यभोजनैः। सानन्दं भोजयामासुर्जानक्यास्ते सखीगणाः॥२२॥
The gopīs sat in a single row, and Jānakī's groups of companions joyfully served them the celestial foods.
Passage 23
निपीतमदिरामत्ता गोप्यः परमनिर्वृताः। चिक्रीडुर्जानकीशेन नयनैर्मदनातुराः॥२३॥
Having drunk the wine, the gopīs became intoxicated and supremely content. Tormented by love, they played with Jānakī's Lord through their glances.
Passage 24
भुञ्जानाः स्वादुरुच्यानि दिव्यान्यन्नानि गोपिकाः। जगुः कान्तस्य चरितान्यद्भुतानि समूहशः॥२४॥
While eating the delicious and pleasing celestial foods, the gopīs gathered in groups and sang of their Beloved's wondrous deeds.
Passage 25
समृद्धिं यत्र कुत्रापि वीक्ष्य तां भोग्यवस्तुभिः। विस्मिताः सकला गोपाः कुर्वन्तो भोगमुत्तमम्॥२५॥
Seeing everywhere such abundance of enjoyable things, all the cowherds were amazed as they partook of the excellent pleasures. The Gopīs Adorn Themselves and Play
Passage 26
उत्फुल्लपङ्कजारण्यवातवीजितविग्रहाः। गोपा मुमुदिरे तत्र दिव्यभोगसमन्विताः॥२६॥
Fanned by breezes from forests of fully opened lotuses, the cowherds rejoiced there, surrounded by celestial enjoyments.
Passage 27
वासोभिर्विविधैश्चित्रैर्मणिकाञ्चनभूषणैः। अनेकै रङ्गरागैश्च सिन्दूरैर्यावकैस्तथा॥२७॥
There were many colorful garments, ornaments of gems and gold, numerous dyes and cosmetics, vermilion, and red lac.
Passage 28
प्रसूनमकरन्दैश्च सुगन्धिभिरनेकशः। पुष्पतैलैर्बहुविधैः सुलभैर्यत्र कुत्रचित्॥२८॥
Fragrant flower nectars and many kinds of floral oils were readily available everywhere.
Passage 29
आत्मानं भूषयाञ्चक्रुर्मुदितमानसाः। मज्जनोद्वर्तनालेपभूषाकर्मविचक्षणाः॥२९॥
Joyful at heart and skilled in bathing, cleansing, anointing, and adornment, the women decorated themselves.
Passage 30
सखीभिरेव जानक्या भूषिता गोपसुश्रुवः। नवप्रसाधनोपेताः शुशुभुः कमला इव॥३०॥
Adorned by Jānakī's own companions, the beautiful cowherd women shone like lotuses in their fresh ornaments.
Passage 31
काश्चित्सरःसु संफुल्लकमलौघसुगन्धिषु। हंससारसचक्राह्वकादम्बकुलनादिषु॥३१॥
Some entered lakes fragrant with masses of blooming lotuses and resonant with flocks of swans, cranes, cakravākas, and kādamba birds.
Passage 32
जलक्रीडारसं गोप्यः पुपुषुर्मुदिताशयाः। भूषिताः पद्मजैर्नालैर्वते हस्ततः क्रमात्॥३२॥
With joyful hearts the gopīs deepened the delight of water play, adorning themselves in turn with lotus stalks wound around their hands. The edition prints the irregular form नालैर्वते. It is preserved above; the translation follows the evident sense of adornment with lotus stalks.
Passage 33
चक्रुः पुष्पावचयनं गिरौ संफुल्लभूरुहे। पारिजातलतापुष्पैर्जगुम्फुर्ललिताः स्रजः॥३३॥
On the mountain, where the trees were in full bloom, they gathered flowers and wove lovely garlands from the blossoms of pārijāta vines.
Passage 34
एवं रात्रिन्दिवं गोपा गोप्यश्च सुखिताशयाः। विजह्रुर्भूरिकेलीभिः कलाकोटिविचक्षणाः॥३४॥
Thus, happy at heart and accomplished in millions of arts, the cowherd men and women passed day and night in abundant play.
Passage 35
तत्र तेषां विनोदाय दिव्यगन्धर्वपुङ्गवाः। नानोपवीणगानं चक्रुः सुस्वरैः कोकिला इव॥३५॥
For their entertainment, the foremost celestial gandharvas performed many songs upon vīṇās, sweet-voiced like cuckoos. Music, Dance, and Reunion with Rāma
Passage 36
कलस्वननिनादिन्यो नर्तक्यो नृत्यदक्षिणाः। गोपीजनविनोदाय ननृतुर्जगुरेव च॥३६॥
Sweet-voiced dancers skilled in dance sang and danced to entertain the gopīs.
Passage 37
वादयन्ति स्म वाद्यानि विद्याधर्यो ह्यनुत्तमाः। उच्चैर्मनांसि गोपीनां रञ्जयन्त्यो मुहुर्मुहुः॥३७॥
Peerless Vidyādhara women played musical instruments, again and again raising and delighting the hearts of the gopīs.
Passage 38
पश्यन्त्यस्ताः प्रियतमं रामं गोपमृगीदृशः। चिरेण शमयामासुर्विरहाधिमनुत्तमम्॥३८॥
Gazing upon their dearest Rāma, the doe-eyed cowherd women at last soothed the unsurpassed anguish of their long separation.
Passage 39
वात्सल्यभावयुक्तानां कासांचिद्गोपसुश्रुवाम्। पुपोष रामो वात्सल्यं दर्शयन् विनयं मुहुः॥३९॥
Toward some beautiful cowherd women whose disposition was parental affection, Rāma repeatedly showed childlike humility and nourished that love.
Passage 40
शुद्धरत्याभावयुक्तानां मदनोन्मत्तचेतसाम्। मदं पुपोष गोपीनां कटाक्षै रामचन्द्रमाः॥४०॥
With sidelong glances, the moonlike Rāma nourished the ardor of those gopīs whose hearts were intoxicated with desire and whose disposition was pure love.
Passage 41
एवं मोदो महानासीत् तत्र तेषां परस्परम्। क्रीडतां गायतां चैव लुठतां च रसोत्तरम्॥४१॥
Thus an immense, ever-rising delight arose among them as they played, sang, and rolled about in the height of rasa.
Passage 42
एकान्ते राममासाद्य गोपकान्ता मदोद्धताः। आलिलिङ्गुश्चुचुम्बुश्च चिक्रीडुश्च विशेषतः॥४२॥
Meeting Rāma in private, the cowherd women, emboldened by passion, embraced him, kissed him, and sported with him in special ways.
Passage 43
प्रासादेष्वतुलमणिप्रभासितेषु ज्योत्स्नायां मृदुशयनीयलब्धनिद्राः। गोपाला विविधविलासमोदमग्ना भोगाढ्या मुमुदुरनेकभावयुक्ताः॥४३॥
In palaces illumined by incomparable gems, the cowherds slept upon soft beds in the moonlight. Rich in pleasures, immersed in the joy of many diversions, they rejoiced in their many modes of love. *Thus ends Chapter 69 of the Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa of the Śrīmad Ādi Rāmāyaṇa, in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍa, concerning the hospitality offered to the cowherd men and women.*