Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— देवासुरैश्चाल्यमानो मन्थसूत्रेण भोगिना। मन्दरो नाम शैलेन्द्रः पयस्यावर्तनं दधौ॥१॥
Brahmā said: Pulled by the gods and demons with the serpent as the churning rope, Mandara, lord of mountains, revolved within the water.
Passage 2
कुलाचले सम्परिवर्तमाने गम्भीरपाथोनिधिवारिपूरे। यादोगणः संततवेगखिन्नो वभ्राम देवागतजीवितान्तः॥२॥
As that principal mountain turned within the deep ocean's mass of water, the hosts of aquatic beings were battered by its unceasing force and whirled about as though the end of their lives had come.
Passage 3
मीनाः क्षीणायुषो नक्रा मकरास्तिमिकच्छपाः। पाठीनाः भोगिनो ग्राहा बभ्रमुर्जलवेगतः॥३॥
Fish with their lives nearly spent, crocodiles, sea monsters, whales, tortoises, great fish, serpents, and alligators spun in the current.
Passage 4
आपातालतलव्याप्तगम्भीरजलशायिनः। आजग्मुरुपरि क्रूरा उच्छलन्तो जलेचराः॥४॥
Fierce aquatic creatures that dwelt in the deep waters extending to the floor of Pātāla surged upward and broke the surface.
Passage 5
सम्भ्रान्तान्यम्बुवेगेन यादांसि सहसोद्ययुः। निवृत्तभग्नवेगानि छन्नानि च समन्ततः॥५॥
Other sea creatures, confused by the water's force, suddenly rose, were thrown back with their momentum broken, and were submerged on every side.
Passage 6
परस्परं निर्विरोधास्तिमयश्च तिमिङ्गिलाः। क्षीणवेगाः पयोवेगैर्बभ्रमुर्जीवितैषिणः॥६॥
Whales and whale-devourers, no longer fighting one another, had their strength spent by the currents and spun about seeking only to remain alive.
Passage 7
प्रादुर्भूते विषे घोरे तदूष्मज्वालया हताः। भूरियोजनविस्तीर्णवपुषः शिश्यिरेऽम्भसि॥७॥
When the terrible poison appeared, beings whose bodies extended for many yojanas were struck by its flame of heat and lay upon the water.
Passage 8
शैलमूलशिलाघातैः केचिच्चूर्णितविग्रहाः। कीर्णा जलनिधेर्नीरे मकराद्यागतासवः॥८॥
Some had their bodies crushed by rocks at the mountain's base. Sea monsters and others, their lives gone, were scattered through the ocean's water.
Passage 9
वारिभ्रमणवेगेन भ्रामं भ्रामं स्वशक्तितः। निरुच्छ्वासतया केचिज्जहुः प्राणान् जलेचराः॥९॥
Whirled again and again beyond their strength by the rotating water, some aquatic beings could no longer breathe and surrendered their lives.
Passage 10
परे घोरविषज्वालापरिस्पर्शक्षतायुषः। शेरते स्म जले मीना दग्धा इव दवारिणा॥१०॥
Other fish, their lives destroyed by contact with the terrible poison's flames, lay in the water as though burned by a forest fire.
Passage 11
कुञ्जराः शैलराजेन मथ्यमानात् पयोनिधेः। श्वसन्तो वारिवेगेन समुत्तस्थुः सहस्रशः॥११॥
As the mountain king churned the ocean, thousands of elephants rose from the water, gasping under the force of its currents.
Passage 12
ते विशीर्णवपुर्वेगाः पतमान इतस्ततः। विनिवृत्तश्रमाः सद्यो लग्नाः कूले गतासवः॥१२॥
Their bodies and strength shattered, they fell here and there, reached the shore with their exertion ended, and immediately died. Herbs and Plants Become the Essence of Nectar
Passage 13
क्षिप्ताः पुरा निर्मथनाय वारिधौ फलच्छदा ह्योषधिवृक्षवीरुधः। ते चूर्णभावं गमिताः सहस्रशो जाता यथा योगरसेकहेतवः॥१३॥
Fruit-bearing herbs, trees, and plants had previously been cast into the ocean for the churning. Reduced by the thousands to a pulverized state, they became the cause of a single blended essence.
Passage 14
तृणानि वल्ल्यस्तरवो महौषधीगणा महानल्पगुणाः पुरा हि ताः। त एव सद्यः शतधा विचूर्णिता रसं महान्तं ससृजुः सुधात्मकम्॥१४॥
Those grasses, vines, trees, and groups of great herbs had formerly possessed many powers, both great and small. Crushed at once into hundreds of fragments, they released a mighty essence whose nature was nectar.
Passage 15
सा सुधा घोरमथनविलम्बापेक्षिणी ततः। न यावदाविरभवत्तावद्रत्नान्यनेकशः॥१५॥
That nectar still required a long interval of violent churning. Before it appeared, many treasures arose one after another.
Passage 16
आविर्भूतान्यदृश्यन्त दुर्लभानि जगत्त्रये। तथा तथा ते ममन्थुर्भूरिवैभवलिप्सया॥१६॥
Treasures rare throughout the three worlds were seen emerging. Desiring still greater wealth, the churners continued their labor. Surabhi Appears
Passage 17
आदौ देवहविर्धानी सुरभिः कामधुग्गवाम्। रत्नभूता प्रादुरास सर्वेषां नयनोत्सवा॥१७॥
First appeared Surabhi, repository of the gods' sacrificial offerings and the wish-fulfilling mother of cattle, a jewel and a festival for every eye.
Passage 18
समस्फुरद्दीर्घविशालशृङ्गी लसल्ललाटोदयसामिचन्द्रा। सन्ध्यासवर्णाङ्गरुचिः सुभव्या स्रवच्चतुर्वर्गपया घटोध्नी॥१८॥
Her long, broad horns gleamed; the rising half-moon shone upon her forehead. Her body's beautiful radiance had the color of twilight, and her full udder flowed with milk granting the four aims of life.
Passage 19
तां समीक्ष्यानवद्याङ्गीमग्निहोत्रैकसाधनीम्। खुरविन्यासमात्रेण पुनन्तीमाश्रमस्थलीम्॥१९॥
They beheld her flawless form, the unique means for maintaining the sacred fire, purifying the ground of a hermitage merely by placing her hooves upon it.
Passage 20
जगृहुर्मुनयः सर्वे प्रभावज्ञा विशेषतः। वसिष्ठाद्या महात्मानो भूयः स्तुतिपुरःसरम्॥२०॥
Knowing her special power, all the sages, led by the great Vasiṣṭha, received her with repeated praise. Uccaiḥśravas and Airāvata
Passage 21
तत आविरभूद्रम्यो हय उच्चैःश्रवा इति। राकामृगाङ्कधवलः सर्वावयवसुन्दरः॥२१॥
Then appeared the delightful horse called Uccaiḥśravas, white as the moon at its fullest and beautiful in every limb.
Passage 22
हेषाभिर्व्याहरँल्लक्ष्मीं त्रैलोक्यैश्वर्यसम्भवाम्। शुभैरावर्तसंस्थानैरनवद्याखिलाङ्गकः॥२२॥
With his neighing he seemed to proclaim the splendor that brings sovereignty over the three worlds. Auspicious whorls marked his flawless body.
Passage 23
चन्द्रांशुसदृशोद्भूतमृदुस्वच्छतनूरुहः। उच्छलत्पुच्छवेगेन चामरं वीजयन्निव॥२३॥
His soft, pure hairs shone like moonbeams, and with the sweep of his tossing tail he seemed to wave a royal fly-whisk.
Passage 24
पुरोदिग्धखुरचेष्टाभिराह्वयन्निव भाति यः। त्रैलोक्यानन्यसामान्यसाम्राज्यपदसुश्रियम्॥२४॥
With the gestures of his forward-pointing hooves, he appeared to summon the peerless splendor of imperial dominion over the three worlds.
Passage 25
सर्वावयवभूषाढ्यं रत्नवल्गामनोहरम्। रत्नपर्याणकलितं चन्द्रांशुश्वेतकेसरम्॥२५॥
Every limb was richly adorned; his jeweled bridle was enchanting, his saddle was set with gems, and his mane was white as moonlight.
Passage 26
तं बलिः स्पृहयामास देवयानं महाहयम्। विष्णुना ज्ञापितः शक्रो मौनमेवास तत्क्षणम्॥२६॥
Bali desired that great celestial steed. Instructed by Viṣṇu, Indra remained silent at that moment.
Passage 27
अथाविरासीन्नागेन्द्र ऐरावत इति श्रुतः। युक्तो दन्तचतुष्केण कैलास इव पाण्डुरः॥२७॥
Next appeared the renowned elephant king Airāvata, equipped with four tusks and white as Mount Kailāsa.
Passage 28
सोऽपि चासुरराजेन स्वीयत्वेनोररीकृतः। न तस्मै स्पृहयाञ्चक्रे इन्द्रः कालप्रतीक्षकः॥२८॥
The demon king also claimed him as his own. Waiting for the proper time, Indra showed no desire for him. The Pārijāta Tree and the Apsarases
Passage 29
पारिजातोऽभवद्भूयो मथ्यमानात्पयोनिधेः। स्वर्लोको भूषितो येन पूरिताश्चार्थिनां स्पृहाः॥२९॥
From the churning ocean next arose the Pārijāta tree, which would adorn heaven and fulfill the desires of those who sought from it.
Passage 30
स्वर्णस्तम्भमनोहारी माणिक्यविटपो महान्। रत्नपुष्पसमुल्लासी महामरकतच्छदः॥३०॥
Its golden trunk enchanted the mind; its great branches were rubies, its jewel flowers shone brilliantly, and its leaves were immense emeralds.
Passage 31
पीयूषपाकफलभृत्सुच्छायतलशीतलः। सम्पत्परम्परावर्षी चन्द्रोज्जागरदीधितिः॥३१॥
It bore fruit ripened into nectar, gave coolness beneath its excellent shade, rained forth successive streams of prosperity, and shone with wakeful lunar radiance.
Passage 32
आचकाङ्क्ष तमानेतुं बलिराराममात्मनः। मौनमासुः सुराः सर्वे कार्यसाधनकोविदाः॥३२॥
Bali wished to take it to his own pleasure garden. Skilled in accomplishing their purpose, all the gods remained silent.
Passage 33
अथाविरासुर्ललना रतिकोटिजयोज्जिताः। या एताः स्वर्गिणां गेहानलंकुर्वन्ति कोटिशः॥३३॥
Then appeared women radiant with beauty surpassing millions of Ratis, the countless Apsarases who adorn the homes of heaven's inhabitants.
Passage 34
दिव्या अप्सरसो नृत्यगीतवाद्यविशारदाः। निष्ककण्ठ्यो लसद्भूषा दुकूलवरशोभिताः॥३४॥
Those divine Apsarases were accomplished in dance, song, and instrumental music. Golden ornaments encircled their necks, their jewelry shone, and fine silks graced them.
Passage 35
मनांसि स्वर्गवास्तूनां हरन्त्यो वल्गुचेष्टितैः। गतिविभ्रमशालिन्यः स्मितकान्तावलोकनाः॥३५॥
With charming gestures they stole the minds of heaven's residents. Their gait was playfully graceful, and their smiling glances were lovely. Lakṣmī Emerges
Passage 36
अथाविरासीत् कमला हरेः प्रिया फुल्लारविन्दं किल बिभ्रती करे। पद्मालया पद्मविलोचनानना पद्मासना वर्ष्मसु पद्मसौरभा॥३६॥
Then appeared Kamalā, Hari's beloved, bearing a fully opened lotus in her hand. Her abode and seat were lotuses; her eyes and face were lotus-like, and her body carried the fragrance of the lotus.
Passage 37
प्रकाशयन्ती महसाखिला दिशः शुचिस्मितद्योतिमुखेन्दुचन्द्रिका। सौदामिनीकोटिसुदीप्तविग्रहा त्रैलोक्यसम्पत्समुदायरूपिणी॥३७॥
She illuminated every direction with her splendor, while the moonlight of her face shone through her pure smile. Her form blazed brighter than millions of lightning flashes, for she embodied the gathered prosperity of the three worlds.
Passage 38
तां वीक्ष्य सर्वावयवानवद्यभां गतिस्मितप्रेक्षितकेलिकोविदाम्। विमुह्य देवा असुराश्च मानवा अचीकमन्ताधिकवश्यमानसाः॥३८॥
Seeing her flawless beauty and mastery of graceful movement, smiling glances, and play, gods, demons, and humans became bewildered and desired her, their minds completely captivated.
Passage 39
तस्या वयोवेषविलासविभ्रमैर्माधुर्यरूपद्युतिवर्णमार्दवैः। उदारहासामलवल्गुवीक्षितैराक्षिप्तचित्ताः सहसाभवञ्जनाः॥३९॥
Her youth, dress, playful grace, sweetness, form, radiance, complexion, and tenderness—together with her generous smile and pure charming glances—suddenly carried away every heart.
Passage 40
तामद्भुताकारगतिस्मितादिभिर्विमोहयन्तीं हृदयानि नाकिनः। आनर्चुरालोकनवश्यवृत्तयः पाद्यासनस्नानविलेपनादिभिः॥४०॥
The heavenly beings, their conduct brought under the sway of her gaze, worshiped her—whose wondrous form, gait, smile, and other graces enchanted their hearts—with water for the feet, a seat, bathing, anointing, and more. Lakṣmī's Consecration
Passage 41
ददौ तस्याः शुनासीरः स्थानाय शुभमासनम्। दिव्यं सलिलमानिन्युर्गङ्गाद्याः सरितां वराः॥४१॥
Indra gave her an auspicious seat, and Gaṅgā and the other foremost rivers brought celestial water.
Passage 42
हेमकुम्भकराः सर्वा अभिषेकार्थमुद्यताः। वशीभूतहृदो वल्गुस्मितलीलावलोकनैः॥४२॥
Holding golden vessels, all the rivers prepared for her consecration, their hearts subdued by her playful glances and charming smile.
Passage 43
दिव्योषधीरुपाजह्रे भूमिस्तदभिषिक्तये। पञ्चगव्यान्युपानिन्युर्गावः कामदुघाः स्वयम्॥४३॥
Earth supplied divine herbs for her consecration, and the wish-fulfilling cows themselves brought the five products of the cow.
Passage 44
मुनयो मन्त्रसिद्धाश्च प्रफुल्लहृदयाननाः। गायन्तश्च पठन्तश्च ऋग्यजुःसामगा गिरः॥४४॥
The sages, perfected in mantra and joyful in heart and face, sang and recited the words of the Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma Vedas.
Passage 45
स्तुवन्तो विविधैः स्तोत्रैः सूक्तैश्च पुरुषं यथा। चक्रुस्त्रैलोक्यभूत्यर्थमभिषेकोचितं विधिम्॥४५॥
Praising the Supreme Person with many hymns and Vedic sūktas, they performed the consecration rite for the prosperity of the three worlds.
Passage 46
अवादयन् घनास्तुङ्गमृदङ्गपणवानकान्। मुरजान् गोमुखान् भेरीः शङ्खान् वेणूंश्च वल्लकीम्॥४६॥
The clouds sounded lofty mṛdaṅgas, paṇavas, and ānakas, along with murajas, gomukhas, kettledrums, conches, flutes, and lutes.
Passage 47
तां फुल्लपङ्कजकरां शरदभ्युदितराकासुधांशुवदनामरविन्दसंस्थाम्। दिक्शुण्डिनोऽभिषिषिचुर्जलपूर्णहैमकुम्भैः कराग्रविधृतैर्द्विजमन्त्रपूर्वम्॥४७॥
The elephants of the directions consecrated her, lotus in hand and seated upon a lotus, her face like the full autumn moon. With their trunk tips they held golden vessels full of water while the brāhmaṇas' mantras preceded the rite. Colophon इति श्रीमदादिरामायणे ब्रह्मभुशुण्डसंवादे दक्षिणखण्डे समुद्रमथने श्रीप्रादुर्भावे नाम पञ्चाशीतितमोऽध्यायः ॥ ८५ ॥ Thus ends Chapter 85, “The Manifestation of Śrī during the Churning of the Ocean,” in the Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa of the glorious Ādi Rāmāyaṇa, in the dialogue between Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍa. Witness control note Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa Chapter 85 begins at the top of source leaf 331 and ends above the Chapter 86 heading on source leaf 334 (physical PDF pages 332–335). It contains 47 continuously numbered passages. All four scan pages were reviewed directly, including a high-resolution check of Lakṣmī's descriptive compounds, and the English is a fresh translation from the scan-controlled Sanskrit.