Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— श्रीनन्दनो रामचन्द्रेण भूयः सम्मानितः प्रेमविशेषभाजा। उवास गोष्ठानि विरच्य रम्यास्वधित्यकासु क्षितिभृद्वरस्य॥१॥
Brahmā said: Rāmacandra again honored Śrīnandana with exceptional love. Śrīnandana established cattle stations and dwelt upon the lovely slopes of the excellent mountain.
Passage 2
पुरस्ताच्चित्रकूटस्य परस्ताद्दक्षिणोत्तरे। ऊषतुः ससुखोत्साहं समाजौ गोपराजयोः॥२॥
The two communities of the cowherd kings lived happily and eagerly before and behind Citrakūṭa, to its south and north.
Passage 3
नन्दिग्रामसमाजेन मनःप्रीतिरवर्धत। पालीग्रामसमाजस्य चन्द्रेणेव पयोनिधेः॥३॥
The joy of the Pālīgrāma community increased through the Nandigrāma community, just as the ocean swells through the moon.
Passage 4
रामः सम्पश्यतां तत्र मुनीनां त्रिदिवौकसाम्। अतिथीनां ब्राह्मणानां बभौ तापसवेषभृत्॥४॥
Before the sages, heavenly beings, guests, and brāhmaṇas watching there, Rāma appeared in the dress of an ascetic.
Passage 5
जटीवल्काजिनधरो भूतिलिप्तसुविग्रहः। वन्यवृत्तिश्चापधरो सानुजः प्रिययान्वितः॥५॥
He wore matted locks, bark, and deerskin; his beautiful body was smeared with ash. Living by forest ways and bearing his bow, he remained with his younger brother and beloved.
Passage 6
गोपानां चैव गोपीनां महाभोगविलासवान्। गोचारणवनक्रीडारासकेलिविशारदः॥६॥
For the cowherd men and women, however, he abounded in magnificent enjoyment and play, expert in tending cattle, forest sports, and rāsa pastimes.
Passage 7
शिखिपिच्छविभूषाढ्यो गुञ्जाहारविभूषितः। योगमायामुखाश्रित्य बभौ त्रैलोक्यमोहनः॥७॥
Richly adorned with peacock feathers and a necklace of guñjā berries, the enchanter of the three worlds shone through the agency of Yogamāyā.
Passage 8
स्फाटिकी सा शिला यत्र चित्रकूटस्य मूर्धनि। तत्र गोपीजनानन्दी शुशुभे केलिपण्डितः॥८॥
Upon the crystal rock at Citrakūṭa's summit, the master of play shone, bringing joy to the gopīs.
Passage 9
एकतः सहजानन्दा परतो रामसुन्दरी। मोदयन् केलिरसिकश्चित्रकूटे व्यतिष्ठत॥९॥
With Sahajānandā on one side and Rāmasundarī on the other, the connoisseur of play remained at Citrakūṭa, delighting them.
Passage 10
व्रजाङ्गनाश्च ताः सर्वा वीरविश्लेषभीतयः। अरमन्त रमाकान्तविन्यस्तहृदयेक्षणाः॥१०॥
All the women of Vraja, fearful of separation from their hero, delighted in Lakṣmī's beloved, placing their hearts and eyes upon him.
Passage 11
सहजारामसुन्दर्योर्व्रजस्त्रीणां च सर्वशः। जनकेन्द्रसुतायाश्च साहाय्यमवलम्ब्य सः॥११॥
Taking support from the daughter of Janaka, he served in every way the love of Sahajā, Rāmasundarī, and the women of Vraja.
Passage 12
रसराजः परां वृद्धिमभ्याप प्रतिवासरम्। राममन्मथनेत्राब्जकटाक्षशरसम्भवः॥१२॥
The sovereign rasa born from the arrowlike sidelong glances of love-Rāma's lotus eyes attained ever greater growth each day.
Passage 13
गोपीनां चैव रामस्य प्रेमवृत्तिं गुणोत्तराम्। अभिवीक्ष्य प्रतिपदं जानकी विस्मिताभवत्॥१३॥
Watching at every step the ever-deepening course of love between Rāma and the gopīs, Jānakī was filled with wonder. The Jeweled Forest Bower
Passage 14
एकदा कुञ्जपुञ्जाढ्ये चित्रकूटस्य गह्वरे। च्योतन्निर्झरपानीयशीतमारुतसेविते॥१४॥
One day, in a cavern of Citrakūṭa rich with clusters of bowers, they were served by cool breezes from the water of falling cascades.
Passage 15
सर्वधातुरसद्रावनानाचित्रविचित्रिते। सर्वतः साधुसंफुल्ललतावृक्षोरुसौरभे॥१५॥
The place was diversely colored by streams of every mineral essence and filled on all sides with the powerful fragrance of flourishing vines and trees.
Passage 16
गुञ्जद्भ्रमरसन्दोहमन्दनादोपवीणिते। मादयत्कोकिलकण्ठोत्थकाकलीशब्दनादिते॥१६॥
The gentle hum of swarming bees supplied its vīṇā music, and intoxicating sweet notes rising from cuckoos' throats resounded there.
Passage 17
संफुल्लपद्मजारण्यसौरभोद्गारसुन्दरे। गिरिरत्नोपलद्योतैर्विष्वग्वितिमिरीकृते॥१७॥
It was lovely with fragrance issuing from forests of fully opened lotuses, and the gleam of the mountain's jeweled stones banished darkness everywhere.
Passage 18
नानामृतफलस्तोममण्डितानेकभूरुहे। सम्प्राप्तमण्डलादेवीविचित्ररचनाश्रिते॥१८॥
Its many trees were adorned with masses of varied nectar-like fruits, and it held wondrous arrangements created by the goddesses who had gathered there.
Passage 19
रत्नस्तम्भशतोपेतकेलिमण्डपमण्डिते। सर्वर्तुसुभगावासे विलासोल्लासशालिनि॥१९॥
Hundreds of jeweled pillars adorned its pavilion of play. As a lovely abode of every season, it overflowed with the exhilaration of amorous sport. The Companions Form Their Groups
Passage 20
ईदृशेऽतिशुभे स्थाने सहजानन्दिनीमुखाः। श्रीरामसुन्दरीमुख्याश्चिक्रीडुर्गोपकन्यकाः॥२०॥
In that supremely auspicious place, the cowherd maidens led by Sahajānandinī and Śrī Rāmasundarī began to play.
Passage 21
नानाकेलिकलोपेता रसभावकदम्बिताः। निपीतमधुसम्मत्ता माधुर्यमदमन्थराः॥२१॥
Endowed with many arts of play and clustered in moods of rasa, they were exhilarated as though they had drunk honey and moved languidly with the intoxication of sweetness.
Passage 22
मञ्जुमञ्जीरनादिन्यो रणत्काञ्चीमनोहराः। वलयध्वानकारिण्यो विनिर्जितमनोभवाः॥२२॥
Their lovely anklets rang, their sounding girdles enchanted, and their bangles made music; they surpassed the god of love.
Passage 23
भ्रूभङ्गभङ्गिमधुराः कटाक्षोन्मुक्तदृष्टयः। परस्तात्कबरीभारचाञ्चल्यसुमनोहराः॥२३॥
They were sweet in the gestures of their arched brows, casting their glances sideways, and captivating through the movement of the heavy tresses behind them.
Passage 24
सपणाक्रीडशालिन्यो बद्धयूथाः परस्परम्। रामकान्तगुणग्रामसङ्गीतकविषारदाः॥२४॥
Skilled in playful contests, they formed opposing groups and became expert in songs celebrating the multitude of virtues of Rāma, their beloved.
Passage 25
निबन्धकेलिकारिण्यः क्रीडाचपलकुण्डलाः। नानोपहासशालिन्यो बद्धमानससौहृदाः॥२५॥
They devised structured games while their earrings danced with their play. Rich in varied jokes, they bound their hearts together in friendship.
Passage 26
एकतः सहजायूथ्याः परतो रामयूथगाः। तथैव रामसुन्दर्याः सयूथ्या रामयूथगाः॥२६॥
Sahajā's companions stood on one side and those of Rāmā's group on the other; likewise, Rāmasundarī's companions joined Rāma's group.
Passage 27
विशालाक्षीसयूथ्याश्च रामयूथ्यास्तथैव ताः। जनकेन्द्रसुतायूथ्याः कमलेशीमुखाः स्त्रियः॥२७॥
Viśālākṣī's companions likewise belonged to Rāma's group, while the women led by Kamaleśī joined the group of the daughter of the king of Janaka.
Passage 28
सर्वास्ता इन्दिराख्याश्चन्द्राभा मङ्गलोचनाः। विद्युद्वल्लिविलोलाङ्ग्यो विक्षुम्पन्त्यो मनस्त्रपाम्॥२८॥
All were known as Indirās, moon-bright and auspicious-eyed. Their limbs were restless like lightning vines, stirring both the mind and modesty.
Passage 29
श्रीरामरूपमाधुर्यमदिरामत्तमानसाः। मदनोन्मादकारिण्यो गलज्जीविगुणोद्गमाः॥२९॥
Their minds were intoxicated by the wine of Śrī Rāma's beautiful form. They awakened love's delirium as the powers of life and voice faltered forth.
Passage 30
स्खलत्पादाब्जविन्यासा विश्लथद्भुजवल्लयः। अव्यक्तकललापिन्यो रामप्रेमरसावृताः॥३०॥
The placement of their lotus feet stumbled, their vine-like arms grew slack, and their speech became indistinct as they were enveloped in the rasa of love for Rāma.
Passage 31
गायन्त्यश्चैव गुञ्जन्त्यः कूजन्त्यश्च कलापशः। लपन्त्यः प्रलपन्त्यश्च प्रत्यक्षविरहोद्धताः॥३१॥
They sang, hummed, and cooed in groups; they spoke and raved, overwhelmed by separation even in their beloved's presence.
Passage 32
क्वचित्स्तब्धाः क्वचित्स्विन्नाः पुलकौघविसंष्ठुलाः। क्वचिच्च स्वरभङ्गिन्यः क्वचिद्वेपथुविग्रहाः॥३२॥
At times they stood rigid, at times they perspired, overwhelmed by waves of horripilation. At times their voices broke, and at times their bodies trembled.
Passage 33
क्वचिद्विवर्णवदना अन्तःप्रमहता इव। क्वचित्साश्रुदृशो नार्यो विलीनविकलेन्द्रियाः॥३३॥
At times their faces grew pale, as though struck inwardly by love; at times the women's eyes filled with tears and their failing senses seemed to dissolve.
Passage 34
रामरूपसुधासिन्धुं पातुकामा मदोद्धताः। अगाध इति विज्ञाय स्वयं मग्ना हृतोद्यमाः॥३४॥
Exalted by their intoxication, they desired to drink the nectar-ocean of Rāma's form. Knowing it to be unfathomable, they plunged into it themselves, their every effort swept away.
Passage 35
अप्राप्नुवन्त्यः पारं च मनोरथपयोनिधेः। प्रेम्णः कुटिलवृत्तित्वात्कुटिलाः सरला अपि॥३५॥
They could not reach the far shore of the ocean of their longing. Through the winding course of love, even those who were straightforward became crooked.
Passage 36
अन्तःप्रेमपरीतप्ता रामपीयूषसागरे। पतिताः शमयन्त्यश्च महोष्माणं मनोगतम्॥३६॥
Scorched within by love, they fell into the nectar-ocean of Rāma and cooled the great heat lodged in their minds.
Passage 37
काश्चिच्च भ्रुकुटिमाबध्य दन्तदष्टाधरच्छदाः। घ्नन्त्यः कटाक्षनिक्षेपैः पश्यन्त्यः प्रियमात्मनः॥३७॥
Some knit their brows and bit the covering of their lips. Gazing upon their beloved, they struck him with the casting of sidelong glances.
Passage 38
आयोज्यायोज्य दोर्वल्लीः पाशी कृत्य तडित्त्विषः। मेलयन्त्यः प्रियग्रीवास्वासज्य स्मरविह्वलाः॥३८॥
Again and again they arranged their vine-like, lightning-bright arms as nooses, then joined them around their beloved's neck, overcome by love.
Passage 39
मिलन्त्यस्तुङ्गवक्षोजैर्विवलन्त्यो लता इव। प्रेमाघातं ददानाश्च चुम्बन्त्यो गण्डमण्डलम्॥३९॥
They pressed close with their high breasts and entwined like vines, giving blows of love and kissing the circles of his cheeks.
Passage 40
पिबन्त्योऽधरपीयूषं पाययन्त्यश्च तत्प्रियम्। स्पृशन्त्यो नेत्रकमलमोष्ठाभ्यां प्रेयसः स्फुटम्॥४०॥
They drank the nectar of his lips and gave that same drink to their beloved; with their own lips they openly touched the lotus eyes of their lover.
Passage 41
रञ्जयन्त्योऽलक्तकेन प्रियस्याधरपल्लवम्। रज्यमानाः प्रियेणैताः पाणिपादोष्ठपालिषु॥४१॥
They colored the tender lips of their beloved with lac, while he in turn colored their hands, feet, and rows of lips.
Passage 42
तोष्यमाणा भूष्यमाणा जोष्यमाणाः प्रतिक्षणम्। तोषयन्त्यो भूषयन्त्यो जोषयन्त्यश्च ताः प्रियम्॥४२॥
At every moment they were pleased, adorned, and cherished; and they likewise pleased, adorned, and cherished their beloved.
Passage 43
प्रियेण दत्तताम्बूलै रञ्जिताधरपल्लवाः। स्वयं च भक्षयन्त्यस्ताः प्रियं ताम्बूलवीटिकाम्॥४३॥
Their tender lips were colored by betel given by their beloved. They themselves ate the betel rolls and shared that cherished betel with him.
Passage 44
इत्थं क्रीडारसे मग्नाः प्रियेण संहताः प्रियाः। न विजज्ञुर्दिवारात्रिं निमेषार्धेन सम्मितम्॥४४॥
Thus immersed in the rasa of play and united with their beloved, the beloved women did not distinguish day from night, for each seemed no longer than half the blink of an eye.
Passage 45
श्रीचित्रकूटगिरिकन्दरमन्दिरान्तः- कन्दर्पकेलिकलनोत्कलिकाकुलास्ताः। चिक्रीडुरात्तमदिरामदमोदमग्ना गोप्यो निगूढरसभावकलास्वभिज्ञाः॥४५॥
Within the cavern palace of sacred Citrakūṭa, those gopīs were agitated by longing for the play of Love. Expert in the secret arts and moods of rasa, they played immersed in the joy and intoxication they had embraced. *Thus ends Chapter 75 of the Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa of the Bhūṣuṇḍi Rāmāyaṇa, concerning the gopīs' forest play.*