Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— रामप्रेमविनिर्मग्नां वीक्ष्य तासां मनोगतिम्। रामं च तत्परवशं ज्ञात्वा सर्वात्मना भृशम्॥१॥
Brahmā said: Seeing the course of their minds wholly submerged in love for Rāma, and knowing that Rāma too was profoundly subject to them with his entire being,
Passage 2
सहजानन्दिनीं चैकां सर्वयोषित्स्वरूपिणीम्। क्रीडन्तीं प्रेयसा सार्धं विज्ञाय जनकात्मजा॥२॥
the daughter of Janaka understood that Sahajānandinī alone embodied all the women and was playing together with her beloved.
Passage 3
तस्यां मिथो रहःकेलौ विनिविष्टमनाः स्वयम्। एतदाह वचस्तथ्यं कमलेशीमुखाः सखीः॥३॥
Her own mind absorbed in their mutual secret play, she spoke these truthful words to her companions led by Kamaleśī.
Passage 4
श्रीजानक्युवाच— सख्यः पश्यत गोपिकाजनमहाभाग्यार्णवं वर्णितुं नो शक्तास्मि भवेद्यदापि रसनाकोटिर्गुणोद्गारिणी। यासां केलिकलाकलापकलने कौतूहलं प्रेयसो नित्यं सम्प्रति वर्धते निरुपमप्रेमप्रमोदस्पृशः॥४॥
Śrī Jānakī said: Friends, behold the great ocean of the gopīs' good fortune. I could not describe it even if I possessed ten million tongues pouring forth their virtues. Their beloved, touched by the joy of incomparable love, now finds his eagerness for the whole array of their arts of play increasing forever.
Passage 5
नन्वासां सुकृतं कियत् कथयत प्रायेण कीदृक् च तद् या नित्यं निवसन्त्यनन्यविषयाविष्टे हृदि प्रेयसः। यासां चेतसि चापि दृक्कमलयोर्माधुर्यलीलारस- ग्राही कोऽपि मिलिन्दराज उदयत्यानन्दचिच्चन्द्रमाः॥५॥
Tell me: how vast is their merit, and of what kind could it be? They dwell forever in the heart of their beloved, which is absorbed in no other object. Within their minds and lotus eyes rises a mysterious king of bees who drinks the sweet rasa of his play—the blissful moon of consciousness itself.
Passage 6
आसां यत्पदपङ्कजद्वयरजस्तत्प्राप्तुकामा भृशं देवाः शक्रविरञ्चिशङ्करमुखास्त्रैलोक्यपूज्याङ्घ्रयः। सेवन्ते प्रमुदाटवीं पुलकिनः प्रेमोद्गमप्रश्रित- स्वान्ताः कान्तपदावलीभिरनिशं गायन्त उच्चैर्गुणान्॥६॥
Longing intensely to obtain the dust of their two lotus feet, gods headed by Indra, Brahmā, and Śaṅkara—whose own feet the three worlds worship—serve the Pramoda forest. Thrilled, their hearts bowed by the arising of love, they loudly sing those women's virtues day and night in beautiful verses.
Passage 7
एतासां चरणारविन्दनखरद्योतलेशोपमां नैवाप्नोति रमापि कान्यललना वोढुं समर्था मदम्। साम्राज्यं वरवैभवं विधिपदं स्वाराज्यमैन्द्रं पदं प्राज्यानन्दकदम्बभोगरुचिरं न्यक्कृत्य याः संस्थिताः॥७॥
Even Ramā does not equal the faintest gleam from the nails of their lotus feet—what other woman could carry such pride? They remain after dismissing imperial dominion, splendid prosperity, Brahmā's station, Indra's sovereign rank, and every attractive enjoyment formed of abundant bliss.
Passage 8
गीयन्ते सततं यशांसि गगने गीर्वाणयोषागणै- रेतासां रसिकेन्द्रसंगमभवस्वानन्दकेलीजुषाम्। सम्प्रत्यमुना वयं सख्य आनन्दसम्पद्धरा- नाभिः साधुसुसंगताः सवनशः संसारचक्रातिगाः॥८॥
The hosts of celestial women continually sing in heaven the renown of these gopīs, who enjoy the play of innate bliss born from union with the sovereign of connoisseurs. And now, friends, through them we have entered the finest holy company, received the wealth of bliss at every moment, and passed beyond the wheel of worldly existence.
Passage 9
नो माया निखिलात्मनः पिदधती नो कालशक्तिर्जग- च्चक्रं ग्रासमिवैककं विदधती जागर्ति तत्रालयः। यत्रासामरविन्दनिर्जयिदृशां प्रेमप्रमोदोत्तरा प्रेयःसंगजुषां जगद्विसदृशी केलीकला कल्पते॥९॥
In that abode, neither Māyā, which veils the universal Self, nor the power of Time, which devours the wheel of worlds as a single morsel, remains awake. There the lotus-conquering eyes of these women enjoy their beloved's company, and arts of play unlike anything in the world unfold in the highest joy of love.
Passage 10
सख्यो ब्रह्मसुखं न किंचन हृदा निश्चित्य जानाम्यहं लिल्युर्यत्र शतोत्तराण्यपि सुखान्याब्रह्मलोकावधि। एतासां रसिकेन्द्रमौलिमणिना केलीसुधासागरे मग्नान्तःकरणस्य भात्यगणितानन्दप्रकाशोदयः॥१०॥
Friends, I know with certainty in my heart that the bliss of brahman is nothing here; hundreds of pleasures reaching as far as Brahmā's world are swallowed up. When the crown jewel of connoisseurs submerges his heart in the nectar-ocean of play with these women, the radiance of incalculable bliss arises.
Passage 11
सख्यो वेद्मि सुदुर्लभोऽयमधिपः कैवल्यसंज्ञामृत- प्राज्यानन्दकदम्बसम्पद उत प्राकाम्यसिद्धीश्वरः। ब्रह्माद्यामरवृन्दवन्दितपदाम्भोजो रमासेवितः सोऽप्याभिः स्वकृपावलोकिततनोः सौलभ्यमेति द्रुतम्॥११॥
Friends, I know this sovereign to be exceedingly difficult to attain. He is lord of the perfection of irresistible will and of the abundant mass of bliss called the nectar of liberation; hosts of gods led by Brahmā worship his lotus feet, and Ramā serves him. Yet for these women he quickly becomes easily attainable, his person revealed by his own gracious glance.
Passage 12
ॐकाराक्षररत्नपञ्जरशुको लक्ष्मीचकोरी विधु- र्मायामोहमदान्धकारगहनन्यक्कारचण्डद्युतिः। श्रीमानेष जगत्त्रयाङ्कुरलतासंदर्भकन्दः शनै- रेतासां करपङ्कजेषु पतितः प्रेम्णा परिक्रीतवत्॥१२॥
He is the parrot in the jeweled cage of the syllable Oṃ, the moon for the cakora bird Lakṣmī, and the fierce light that subdues the dense darkness of Māyā, delusion, and pride. This glorious root from which the clustered vines of the three worlds sprout has gently fallen into their lotus hands, as though purchased by their love.
Passage 13
कन्दर्पः स्वयमेव एव सुषमाशाली वसन्तः स्वयं सामग्री स्वयमेव नित्यमधुरक्रीडावलीनामसी। तत्तद्रूपतया स्वयं परिणतः श्रीमान् प्रमोदाटवी- मेत्यानन्दयति स्वयं यदत्र कलितः प्रेमैकरूपः सदा॥१३॥
He himself is Kāma, and he himself is beauty-laden spring; he himself is the complete provision for their eternally sweet succession of games. Assuming each appropriate form himself, the glorious one enters Pramodāṭavī and gives delight, for here he is forever manifested as love alone.
Passage 14
कल्याणैकनिकेतनं त्रिजगतां जीवातुभूतोऽद्भुत- क्रीडासागरपूर्णचन्द्र उदयं प्राप्तः प्रकाशास्पदम्। शृङ्गारोत्तमकल्पवृक्ष उचितो भोगैरनेकैरयं भोक्तुं भव्यासुनव्यपूर्णरतिमानेताभिरेव ध्रुवम्॥१४॥
The sole abode of auspiciousness and the life of the three worlds, he rises as the full moon over the wondrous ocean of play and becomes the seat of radiance. This finest wish-granting tree of love, filled with ever-new and perfect passion, is surely fit to enjoy manifold delights with these women alone.
Passage 15
कल्याण्यः कमलाधिकाः परिलसत्केलीकलाकोशला राकाशारदशर्वरीपरिवृढन्यक्कारकल्पाननाः। शृङ्गारैकविसारकल्पलतिकाः कन्दर्पदर्पद्रुम- प्रध्वंसिस्मितलेशकान्तिविभवा लालित्यलीलालयाः॥१५॥
These auspicious women surpass lotuses and are skilled in the shining arts of play. Their faces humble the full moon of an autumn night; they are wish-granting vines that spread love alone. The splendor of the faintest smile from them destroys the tree of Kāma's pride, and they are abodes of grace and play.
Passage 16
सान्द्रानन्दमयातिमञ्जुलतमप्रेमप्रकर्षोन्नत- प्रासादध्वजपद्म उत्कटमनोभूकाण्डलोलेक्षणाः। सोज्जृम्भभ्रूकुटीतरङ्गविगलत्त्रैलोक्यचन्द्राननाः सौन्दर्योद्यमदा जयन्ति जगति स्वच्छन्दमेताः श्रियः॥१६॥
Made of concentrated bliss, their restless eyes are lotuses like banners above the lofty palace of supremely lovely, intensely flourishing love, and shafts of overpowering desire. Waves from their swelling brows make the moon-faces of the three worlds fade. These embodiments of beauty and intoxication triumph freely throughout the world.
Passage 17
एताभिः कृपयेक्षिता ननु जना मोदन्त एवानिशं प्रेमाणं च परस्य पुंस उदितं नित्यं लभन्ते ध्रुवम्। दुर्जयस्य निधाय मूर्ध्नि विपदं कालस्य देवासुरैः शश्वद्भोगमहोदधौ निरवधि क्रीडन्ति तेस्तैः सुखैः॥१७॥
Those upon whom these women cast a gracious glance rejoice day and night and surely attain the ever-rising love of the Supreme Person. Placing beneath their feet the danger of Time, unconquerable by gods and demons, they play without limit in the great ocean of eternal enjoyment and its pleasures.
Passage 18
आसां मण्डलमध्यगं मधुरतालावण्यवारां निधिं प्रोदञ्चन्मुरलीनिनादतुरलीखेलन्मुखेन्दुस्वरम्। चित्तोद्गारिलसत्सुभङ्गवपुषं पुष्णन्तमन्तर्मुदं द्रष्टॄणां दरफुल्लपङ्कजदृशं पीताम्बरं नीलभम्॥१८॥
Meditate upon the dark-blue, yellow-robed one at the center of their circle, an ocean of sweetness, grace, and beauty. The music of his moonlike face plays through the swelling sound of his flute; his beautifully curved body shines with the outpouring of his heart and nourishes inward joy, while his lotus eyes rest half-open upon those who behold him.
Passage 19
कस्याश्चित्कुचयोः स्फुरत्करनखं कस्याश्चिदोष्ठच्छद- पीयूषैकपदं धयन्तमसकृत् कस्याश्चिदालिङ्गनम्। कुर्वन्तं हरिचन्दनाक्तवपुषा कस्याश्चिदास्यं दृशा पश्यन्तं रघुनन्दनं स्वहृदये सख्यश्चिरं ध्यायत॥१९॥
Friends, meditate long within your hearts upon Raghunandana: his shining hand and nails rest upon one woman's breasts; he repeatedly drinks the singular nectar beneath another's lips; he embraces another with his body anointed in yellow sandalwood; and he gazes with his eyes upon another's face. Jānakī Questions Rāma
Passage 20
इत्युक्त्वा वर्णनं तासां सखीभ्यो जनकात्मजा। प्रेयसः संनिधौ स्थित्वा वाक्यमेतदवोचत॥२०॥
Having thus described them to her companions, the daughter of Janaka stood in the presence of her beloved and spoke these words.
Passage 21
ननु सुभग नितान्तं विस्मयं याति चित्तं प्रणयपरिणतिस्ते शश्वदाभीरिकासु। किमु सुकृतममूषां भालभाग्योदयभाजां कथय कथय नॄणां कर्मसाक्षी भवान् यत्॥२१॥
O beautiful one, my mind is utterly astonished at the enduring fullness of your love for these cowherd women. What merit belongs to those upon whose foreheads such fortune has arisen? Tell me, tell me—for you witness the deeds of all beings.
Passage 22
किं स्विच्चरितमेताभिर्मखदानक्रियादिषु। जपस्वाध्यायनियमज्ञानयोगसमाधिषु॥२२॥
What could they have performed through sacrifices, gifts, and other rites, or through recitation, sacred study, observances, knowledge, yoga, and samādhi?
Passage 23
यत्फलं रघुशार्दूल भवता नित्यकेलिषु। अजस्रं क्रियते भोगो रमयापि सुदुर्लभः॥२३॥
O tiger of the Raghu line, its fruit is the unbroken enjoyment you give them in your eternal play—a reward exceedingly difficult even for Ramā to obtain.
Passage 24
भवानमूभिः संगम्य प्रियाभिस्त्रिजगत्प्रिय। रमते लीलया भोगं वितन्वन् कमलेक्षण॥२४॥
O lotus-eyed beloved of the three worlds, you unite with these dear women and delight in play, expanding its enjoyment.
Passage 25
परस्परं वः स्पृहणीयसंगमे लब्धास्पदः प्रेमसखो रसादिभूः। वसत्यजस्रं व्रजभूमिमण्डले न यं समर्था गदितुं परा गिरः॥२५॥
In your mutually desirable union, the companion Love—source of rasa and its other expressions—finds a dwelling and abides forever throughout the land of Vraja. Even the highest speech is unable to describe it.
Passage 26
पुरा चीर्णं पूर्णं सपदि नतिपुण्यं परतरं विना सौख्यं लभ्यं कथमिव तदीदृक् पुनरिदम्। इदं ते पृच्छामि त्रिभुवनपते पूर्णपुरुष प्रवक्तुं योग्यस्त्वं भवसि मयि कृत्वा निजकृपाम्॥२६॥
Without some perfect, supremely exalted merit cultivated before, how could such extraordinary happiness ever be attained? O lord of the three worlds, perfect Person, I ask this of you. Show me your grace, for you alone are fit to explain it. *Thus ends Chapter 76 of the Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa of the Bhūṣuṇḍi Rāmāyaṇa, in which Jānakī asks about the merit of the Vraja devotees.*