Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— कृतातिथ्यो गोपराजः प्रातरुत्थाय सोत्सवः। मन्दाकिन्यां समाप्लुत्य कृतनित्यक्रियाविधिः॥१॥
Brahmā said: After receiving hospitality, the cowherd king rose joyfully at dawn, bathed in the Mandākinī, and completed his daily rites.
Passage 2
सानुगः सहदारश्च सगोपालगणः सुखम्। स्वस्थः सुखासनासीन इदमाह रघूद्वहम्॥२॥
At ease upon a comfortable seat, accompanied by his wife, attendants, and the cowherd assembly, he spoke to the scion of Raghu.
Passage 3
भरतस्तव यो भ्राता त्वद्विश्लेषरुजातुरः। नन्दिग्रामेऽधिवसति स इदानीं रघूद्वह॥३॥
“Raghava, your brother Bharata now lives at Nandigrāma, tormented by the affliction of separation from you.
Passage 4
अस्माभिर्मिलितो नित्यं गायँल्लीलास्तव प्रभो। किञ्चिद्धैर्यसमालम्बी दिवसानत्यवाहयत्॥४॥
“He met with us continually, Lord, singing of your pastimes and passing his days by holding to what little fortitude he could find.
Passage 5
कष्टेनास्मानिहागन्तुं ददौ धृतिविवर्जितः। दण्डवत् प्रणतिं तुभ्यं भक्तिप्रह्वश्चकार सः॥५॥
“Bereft of composure, he permitted us to come here only with difficulty. Bowed down by devotion, he offered you his prostrated obeisance.
Passage 6
सेवते सादरं भक्त्या तव पादाब्जपादुके। कष्टेन कालं नयति यावदागमनं तव॥६॥
“He reverently worships the sandals of your lotus feet and passes the time with difficulty while awaiting your return.
Passage 7
जटी विभूतिधवलो वल्कलाजिनसंवृतः। वन्यवृत्तिव्रतं बिभ्रत्त्यक्तभोगसुखश्च सः॥७॥
“His hair is matted, his body white with sacred ash, and he wears bark and deerskin. Renouncing pleasure and comfort, he keeps the vow of a forest life.
Passage 8
स तवाज्ञां विना राम नास्माभिः सह सस्पृहः। इहाजगाम कैकेय्याः कर्मणा दुःखकर्षितः॥८॥
“Though longing to do so, Rāma, he did not come here with us without your command, for Kaikeyī's deed has left him wasted by sorrow.
Passage 9
लक्ष्मणं च प्रणतवान् सीतां च स हि भक्तिमान्। कष्टं तेन वियुक्तोऽस्मि त्वयेव रघुनन्दन॥९॥
“That devoted Bharata also bowed to Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā. Raghunandana, separation from him pains me just as separation from you does.
Passage 10
तपते पादुकायुग्मं तव दाशरथेऽधुना। प्रजानामीतिभीत्यादिप्रभावाद्विनिवारयन्॥१०॥
“Daśaratha's son now practices austerity before your pair of sandals while warding harmful influences, fear, and other afflictions away from the people.
Passage 11
सर्वतः कुशलं राम वर्तते तव राष्ट्रके। तथापि त्वद्वियोगेन जनाः शान्ता इवाखिलाः॥११॥
“All is well throughout your kingdom, Rāma, yet because you are absent all the people seem lifeless and subdued.” Rāma Grieves for Bharata
Passage 12
इति श्रुत्वा रघुपतिर्भरतोदन्तमाहृतः। उवाच सुखितं रामः स्मृततत्प्रेमविह्वलः॥१२॥
Hearing this report about Bharata, Rāma, lord of the Raghus, was overcome on remembering his brother's love and spoke to Sukhita.
Passage 13
सत्यं मम प्रियो भ्राता भरतः प्रीतिमान्मयि। कष्टमापतितं तस्मिन् मुधा भृशमेकदा॥१३॥
“It is true: my dear brother Bharata loves me. Through one vain turn of events, terrible suffering fell upon him.
Passage 14
क्व मदागमनं तात वने स्यात् कैकेयीगिरा। कुत्र प्रतिज्ञा नृपतेर्भवेद्वरयुगात्मिका॥१४॥
“Dear father, how far apart are my coming to dwell in the forest at Kaikeyī's word and the king's pledge embodied in those two boons!
Passage 15
क्व च मद्विरहेणातः प्रेमार्द्रो नृपतिर्भवेत्। सर्वमात्मकृतं मन्ये भरते दुःखमीदृशम्॥१५॥
“And how could the king, his heart softened by love, survive separation from me? I regard Bharata's present sorrow as something I myself have caused.
Passage 16
प्रिय इष्टः सुहृद्बन्धुर्भरतो भक्तिमान् मयि। तस्य दुःखेन गोपेन्द्र दुःखितोऽस्मि न संशयः॥१६॥
“Bharata is dear to me—my cherished friend and kinsman—and devoted to me. Cowherd lord, his suffering unquestionably makes me suffer.
Passage 17
मयि जाते वन्यवृत्तौ भरतोऽपि तथाभवत्। अहो कष्टमभूत्स्वानां कोऽपि नाश्वासकोऽधुना॥१७॥
“When I adopted a forest way of life, Bharata did the same. Alas, suffering has come upon my own people, and now there is no one to console them.” Rāma Thanks Māṅgalyā
Passage 18
इत्युक्त्वा रघुशार्दूलो माङ्गल्यामिदमुक्तवान्। मातस्त्वया पुरात्यर्थं पालितोऽस्मि विशेषतः॥१८॥
Having said this, the tiger of the Raghus addressed Māṅgalyā: “Mother, in former days you cared for me with extraordinary attention.
Passage 19
दधिदुग्धघृताहारैर्मधुरैर्भूरिभोजनैः। तव ह्ययं गवीनस्य प्रभावो वर्ण्यतां कुतः॥१९॥
“You nourished me with curds, milk, ghee, and abundant sweet foods. How could the power of that rich bovine nourishment of yours ever be described?
Passage 20
भग्नं धनुर्महेशस्य तद्बलेनैव भूयसा। ताडका च हता मातः क्रव्यादा घोरदर्शना॥२०॥
“By that abundant strength alone, Maheśa's bow was broken, Mother, and the flesh-eating, terrifying Tāḍakā was slain.
Passage 21
सुबाहुमारीचमुखा मारिताश्चैव राक्षसाः। भूयश्चापि हनिष्यामि बहून् राक्षसपुङ्गवान्॥२१॥
“Subāhu, Mārīca, and other demons were struck down, and I shall yet slay many more foremost rākṣasas.
Passage 22
केन विस्मर्यतां मातस्तव वात्सल्यमद्भुतम्। गर्भधारणपोषाभ्यामसि नित्यं गरीयसी॥२२॥
“Mother, who could forget your wondrous parental love? By carrying and nourishing me as though in your womb, you are forever most venerable.
Passage 23
उपालम्भा व्रजजनैर्मामुद्दिश्य कृतास्त्वयि। सोढवत्यसि तान् सर्वान् मातर्मत्प्रेमविह्वला॥२३॥
“The people of Vraja reproached you on my account, yet, Mother, overwhelmed by love for me, you endured every reproach.
Passage 24
आगतापि मम प्रेम्णा मातस्त्वं निर्जने वने। सानुगा सपरीवारा मन्ये तत्करुणामहम्॥२४॥
“Moved by love for me, Mother, you have even come with your followers and family into this lonely forest. I recognize this as your compassion.
Passage 25
क्व मेऽत्र निर्जनेऽरण्ये बन्धूनां दर्शनं प्रियम्। एतत्तव कृपाजातं मन्ये सुखमनुत्तमम्॥२५॥
“How else could I have the beloved sight of my relatives here in the lonely forest? I consider this incomparable happiness born of your grace.
Passage 26
एताः प्रीतिमतीर्नित्यं दृष्ट्वा गोपीर्गुणोत्तराः। अतीव मुदितोऽस्म्यद्धा यथा मातः प्रमोदने॥२६॥
“Mother, seeing these ever-loving gopīs, each rich in excellent virtues, I am truly as delighted as I was in Pramoda-vana.
Passage 27
आसां नित्यमहं मातः स्पृहयामीह दर्शनम्। प्रियमन्यन्न मे किञ्चिद्व्रजवासिजनाद्ध्रुवि॥२७॥
“Mother, I always long to see them here. Indeed, nothing is dearer to me than the people who dwell in Vraja.” The edition's final form जनाद्ध्रुवि is irregular and is preserved rather than silently regularized; the clause's comparative sense remains clear.
Passage 28
इत्युक्त्वा वचनं रुच्यं रसिकेन्द्रो रघूद्वहः। पुनः पुनः कटाक्षेण मोदयामास गोपिकाः॥२८॥
After speaking these pleasing words, the scion of Raghu, lord of connoisseurs, again and again delighted the gopīs with his sidelong glances.
Passage 29
माङ्गल्यामातरं रामः प्रेमवृत्तं ब्रुवन्मुहुः। तिर्यक्कटाक्षपातेन हर्षयामास ताः प्रियाः॥२९॥
As Rāma repeatedly recounted his loving bond with Mother Māṅgalyā, he gladdened his beloved women with the fall of his sidelong glances. Sukhita Urges Rāma to Return
Passage 30
पुनरूचे व्रजाधीशं रामः कौतुकिताशयः। निवेदयामि ते तात सादरं श्रूयतां तु तत्॥३०॥
Then Rāma, joyful at heart, again addressed the lord of Vraja: “Dear father, I will submit something to you; please hear it respectfully.
Passage 31
न भवेद्विप्रयोगो यस्तथा कार्यमतः परम्। संसारे वर्तमानानां प्रियः स्वेष्टसमागमः॥३१॥
“From this point onward, let us act so that no separation occurs. For those who live in this world, reunion with their beloved is precious.”
Passage 32
इति श्रुत्वा रघुपतेर्वाक्यमूचे व्रजेश्वरः। त्वामानेतुमहं राम प्राप्तोऽस्मीह न संशयः॥३२॥
Hearing Rāma's words, the lord of Vraja replied: “Rāma, I have unquestionably come here to take you back.
Passage 33
किमर्थं राजशार्दूल वने वससि दुःखितः। स्वानां वितन्वन् दुःखानि ये तवाभ्युदयेच्छवः॥३३॥
“Tiger among kings, why do you remain distressed in the forest, spreading sorrow among your own people who desire your prosperity?
Passage 34
व्रज प्रमुदने राम स्वान् बन्धून् परिपालय। ये त्वद्विरहदुःखेन क्षणकल्पशतोपमाः॥३४॥
“Go to Pramoda-vana, Rāma, and protect your relatives, for in the anguish of separation from you each moment seems like hundreds of cosmic ages to them.
Passage 35
गावस्तव वियोगेन विलश्यन्ति रघुनन्दन। नित्यं प्रमुदनं यासां शून्यमन्धतमोऽन्वितम्॥३५॥
“Raghunandana, the cows waste away in separation from you, and their Pramoda-vana is always empty and covered in blinding darkness.
Passage 36
गावः खगाः मृगा वृक्षा लता गुल्माः प्रमोदने। अन्धकारितदिक्चक्रदर्शिन्यः शून्यमासते॥३६॥
“The cows, birds, deer, trees, vines, and shrubs in Pramoda-vana sit desolate, seeing every direction darkened.
Passage 37
एवं कदर्थनामाप त्वया विरहितो व्रजः। त्वत्समागमनाकाङ्क्षावर्ततेऽन्याकुलो रुजा॥३७॥
“Thus Vraja, separated from you, has fallen into misery. Distraught by this affliction, it lives only in the hope of meeting you again.
Passage 38
अतस्त्वां नेतुमखिलैर्नियुक्तो व्रजवल्लभ। प्राप्तोऽस्मीह चिरोत्कण्ठाविह्वलीभूतमानसः॥३८॥
“Therefore, beloved of Vraja, I was appointed by everyone to bring you back. I have come here with my heart overwhelmed by long yearning.” Rāma Proposes a Settlement at Citrakūṭa
Passage 39
इति श्रुत्वा रघुवरः सुखितस्य वचोऽमृतम्। उवाच वदतां श्रेष्ठो मोहयन् वचनैर्मनः॥३९॥
Hearing the nectar of Sukhita's words, the finest speaker, Rāma, enchanted his hearer's heart as he replied.
Passage 40
समीपे कोसलापुर्याः प्रमोदवनमस्ति तत्। अतः समुद्व्रजे तत्र वसन् नित्यं पुरीजनेः॥४०॥
“Pramoda-vana lies close to the city of Kosala. Therefore I fully go forth to Vraja there, dwelling continually among the city's people.
Passage 41
समीपस्थं प्रियं ज्ञाय मां कोसलपुरीजनाः। करिष्यन्ति सदा सङ्गं ततस्तत्र वसामि हि॥४१॥
“Knowing that their beloved is nearby, the people of Kosala constantly seek my company. Therefore I indeed dwell there.
Passage 42
सुदूरेऽयं गिरिवरः कोसलाया व्रजेश्वर। अतोऽत्रैव वसन्नित्यं विहरिष्यामि मामकैः॥४२॥
“Lord of Vraja, this excellent mountain is far from Kosala. I shall therefore remain here and always sport with my own people.
Passage 43
अवकाशोऽत्र सुमहान् गोपानां च गवां च ते। अतोऽत्रैव निवस्तव्यं सानुगेन त्वया प्रभो॥४३॥
“There is ample space here for your cowherds and cows. Therefore, lord, you and your followers should reside right here.
Passage 44
यथा प्रमुदनं रुच्यं चित्रकूटस्तथा प्रभो। सर्वर्तुसुखदो नित्यं प्रचेलिममहीरुहः॥४४॥
“Citrakūṭa is as delightful as Pramoda-vana, lord. In every season it gives happiness, and its trees are always laden with fruit.
Passage 45
इह मन्दाकिनीतीरे नवशाद्वलिनी मही। बहुयोजनविस्तीर्णा गवां ते सुखदायिनी॥४५॥
“Here along the Mandākinī's bank lies fresh grassy ground extending many yojanas, a place that will bring happiness to your cows.
Passage 46
इहास्व सुचिरं शैले गोपराज मुदं वह। मन्दाकिनीपयःसङ्गिमरुल्लहरिवीजितः॥४६॥
“Cowherd king, dwell long and joyfully upon this mountain, fanned by waves of breeze that mingle with the Mandākinī's waters.
Passage 47
अञ्चन्तु त्वां प्रतिपदं शैलद्रुमलता इह। मकरन्दरसस्राविपुष्पस्तवकराशिभिः॥४७॥
“At every step, let the mountain's trees and vines worship you with masses of flower clusters streaming nectar.
Passage 48
प्रसार्य गोसहस्राणि मन्दाकिन्यास्तटावनौ। अधित्यकासु शैलस्य विहरन्त्विह तावकाः॥४८॥
“Let your people spread thousands of cows across the woodland banks of the Mandākinī and roam upon the mountain's plateaus.
Passage 49
देवगन्धर्ववासाढ्ये सर्वर्तुसुखदायिनि। इह शैले व्रजाधीश सुचिरं वसतिं कुरु॥४९॥
“Lord of Vraja, make your home for a long time upon this mountain, rich in the dwellings of gods and gandharvas and pleasant in every season.
Passage 50
अमी ते प्रासादा मम सहजशक्त्या विरचिताः सरोवापीकूपोपवनसुखसम्पत्समुदिताः। सुखार्थं वास्तव्याश्चिरमिह भवन्तु व्रजपते वसन्नेतेषु त्वं वितनु नयनानन्दपटलीम्॥५०॥
“These palaces were fashioned for you by my innate power and abound in the delights and riches of lakes, stepwells, wells, and gardens. Lord of Vraja, let them be your long residence and source of happiness; dwelling here, spread a panorama of delight before my eyes.
Passage 51
इमाः श्रीजानक्याः प्रविदधतु सख्यस्तव चिरं मयादिष्टाः पादोद्वहनमुखसेवासमुदयम्। स्वयं च त्वद्भक्ता परिचरतु देवीयमसकृन् ममाम्बां माङ्गल्यां विहितविविधाज्ञापरवशा॥५१॥
“Let these companions of Śrī Jānakī, directed by me, long perform for you every service beginning with carrying and tending your feet. Let this Goddess, devoted to you and obedient to her many appointed duties, personally and repeatedly attend my mother Māṅgalyā.” *Thus ends Chapter 70 of the Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa of the Śrīmad Ādi Rāmāyaṇa, in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍa, concerning the proposal that the cowherd lord take up residence.*