Passage 1
श्रीरुवाच— वद सखि कियदेतत्तुच्छमाब्रह्मलोकं सुखमसुखविमिश्रं यत्कृते मुग्धचित्ताः। परमसुखकदम्बं कालमायाद्यपेतं विजहति भवचक्रे संततं भ्रान्तिभाजः॥१॥
Śrī said: Tell me, friend, how insignificant is the pleasure extending up to Brahmā's world, mixed as it is with suffering. Bewildered minds forsake for its sake the mass of supreme bliss beyond time and māyā, and wander continually in the cycle of becoming.
Passage 2
किमु सखि पुरराजः स्यान्महान् भूमिकोणे पदमयति यदीयं सापि भूरण्डकोणे। तदपि तु विधिनोप्तं भूरितोयैकदेशे विशति पुरुषनाभौ सोऽप्यतः कोटिशस्ते॥२॥
Friend, can the king of a city be truly great when his station occupies merely a corner of the earth, and that earth only a corner of the cosmic egg? Even that cosmic egg, occupied by Brahmā, rests in one portion of the vast waters, while millions of such eggs enter the navel of the Supreme Person.
Passage 3
वद सखि किमु पश्यस्याविरिञ्चेः किरीटं त्रिजगति परमेशं क्वाप्यनन्यानपेक्षम्। भवदपि किमु खेलत्कालहर्यक्षदंष्ट्राविकटकटकटाभिर्यन्न सद्यो निगीर्णम्॥३॥
Tell me, friend: from Brahmā downward, do you see any crowned ruler of the three worlds who is supreme and dependent on no other? Does any such being escape immediate devouring by the dreadful, clattering fangs of lion-like Time at play?
Passage 4
वद सखि किमु वीर्यं पश्यसि क्वापि दृप्यद्दितिजदनुजनाथानीकपर्याकुलायाः। कलयति धरणेर्यः क्लेशशान्तिं स्वशक्त्या भवति यदिह नृणां सम्प्रवृत्तस्त्रिवर्गः॥४॥
Tell me, friend, where do you see the valor of one who, by his own power, removes the distress of the earth when she is beset by armies led by Daityas and Dānavas, so that humanity's three aims may again flourish here?
Passage 5
निगमनलिनमध्योद्गारिमाध्वीकपूरं सुरनरमुनिचेतःषट्पदास्वाद्यमेकम्। प्रथयति भुवनानां भूषणं सद्यशो यः स क इह सखि मृग्यः पुरुषाणां धुरेणः॥५॥
Who pours forth the honey rising from the heart of the Vedic lotus, the one nectar tasted by the bee-like minds of gods, humans, and sages? Who spreads fame that adorns the worlds? That foremost of persons, friend, is the one to be sought here.
Passage 6
उदयति परमाया कालमायाद्यपेता निरवधिनिजलेशव्याप्तलोकेशसत्ता। चरणनखररोचिर्मग्नकोटीन्दुसूर्या वद च न सखि पुंग्रये दृश्यते तादृशी श्रीः॥६॥
His supreme power arises beyond time, māyā, and all else; the authority of the world-rulers is pervaded by a mere drop of his boundless power. Millions of suns and moons sink within the radiance of his toenails. Tell me, friend—can splendor like that be seen in any foremost man?
Passage 7
कथय सखि किमीयज्ञानमज्ञानदोषव्यधिकरणमगाधं भासयत्कृत्स्नमेतत्। निखिलभुवनवस्तूद्भासकः सोऽपि भास्वान् भवति भृशमनेनोद्भासितो भासनार्हः॥७॥
Tell me, friend, whose unfathomable knowledge, wholly incompatible with the defect of ignorance, illumines all this? Even the sun, which reveals every object in all the worlds, shines only because it is greatly illumined by him.
Passage 8
स्मरविशिखविलोलस्वर्गपद्मेरुहाक्षी विविधविहृतिजन्मा भाति यत्र प्रमोदः। स सखि विषयभोगो भासते यस्य फल्गुः स्थिरतममतिरिह को नु वैराग्यसारः॥८॥
The lotus-eyed women of heaven, restless under Love's arrows, display the delight born of their varied play; yet to whom does that pleasure of the senses appear trivial? Who here possesses the essence of dispassion and a perfectly steady mind?
Passage 9
क इह सखि तपस्वी निर्जितो येन मन्युः परिहृतगुणसंगं ज्ञानमुद्भाति कस्य। अपि खलु स महान् को निर्जितो येन कामः क्व च विलसति धर्मः सर्वतः सौहृदाढ्यः॥९॥
What ascetic here has conquered anger? Whose knowledge rises free from contact with the guṇas? Who is truly great because he has conquered desire, and where does dharma shine endowed with goodwill toward all?
Passage 10
कथय सखि विमुक्त्यै त्यागवान् को नु लोके क इह वहति वीर्यं कालवेगाद्विमुक्तम्। स च क इह न संगो यस्य मायागुणानां क उत भुवि चिरायुः सर्वतो यस्य भोगः॥१०॥
Tell me, friend: who in the world has renounced for liberation? Who bears a power untouched by the rush of Time? Who remains without attachment to māyā's guṇas? And who on earth is both long-lived and complete in every enjoyment?
Passage 11
क इह निखिलभोगो यं न कालस्य दंष्ट्रा स्पृशति तदुभयं चेदस्ति कात्यायनीशे। तदपि पितृवनस्थे तत्र नो मङ्गलाशा सकलगुणसमेतः कञ्चनापेक्षते माम्॥११॥
Who here possesses every enjoyment yet remains untouched by Time's fangs? If both enjoyment and detachment exist in the lord of Kātyāyanī, he nevertheless dwells in the cremation ground, where no auspicious marriage can be hoped for. One complete in every virtue has no need of me.
Passage 12
सखि कमहमुपेयां सर्वशः सद्गुणाढ्यं प्रकृतिमधुररूपं संस्थितं कालमूर्ध्नि। इति मनसि विमृश्य प्रीतियुक्ता वरिष्ये सुलभमिह निजानां केशवं देवदेवम्॥१२॥
Friend, whom then should I approach? Having reflected within, I shall lovingly choose Keśava, God of gods—abundant in every virtue, naturally sweet in form, standing above Time, yet readily accessible here to those who are his own. The Garland of Choice
Passage 13
श्रीराम उवाच— इत्युक्त्वा सा भगवती माधवं मधुसूदनम्। उपसृत्य समन्दाक्षं वव्रे कमलमालया॥१३॥
Śrī Rāma said: Having spoken thus, the goddess approached Mādhava, Madhusūdana, whose gaze was gentle, and chose him with the lotus garland.
Passage 14
अपश्यच्च त्रपाहर्षमन्दस्मितमनोज्ञया। दृशा कनकपत्राङ्गी सावगुण्ठपटानना॥१४॥
Golden-limbed, her face covered by a veil, she looked at him with a captivating glance and a soft smile mingling modesty and joy.
Passage 15
निधाय तस्यांसयुगे वरस्रजं समुल्लसत्पद्ममयीं सुसौरभाम्। पार्श्वानुलग्नभ्रमरौघसेवितां गुञ्जारवच्छद्मनदद्यशोगणाम्॥१५॥
She placed upon his two shoulders the bridegroom's radiant, deeply fragrant garland of lotuses. Swarms of bees attended at its sides, and beneath the guise of their humming seemed to sing hosts of his glories.
Passage 16
अतिष्ठदुद्भासितवामपार्श्वाङ्गा निरीक्षमाणास्थितये शनैरुरः। दृशा मनोमर्षकषायकोणया परिस्फुरन्त्या वनमालयाञ्चितम्॥१६॥
Illuminating his left side with her form, she stood there and slowly raised her gaze toward his chest, adorned by the shimmering forest garland, casting a sidelong glance tinged with the passion that steals the mind.
Passage 17
सव्रीडहासरुचिरेक्षणमोक्षवत्या लक्ष्म्या वृते त्रिजगतां जनके जनन्या। अन्तःप्रसादसुमुखाः पुलकावृताङ्गाः सर्वे जनाः समभवन् परमप्रमोदाः॥१७॥
When Lakṣmī, mother of the three worlds, chose their father and released her lovely glance with its modest smile, every being became inwardly serene, bright-faced, thrilled throughout the body, and supremely delighted.
Passage 18
देव्या वृते निजे कान्ते तदंशास्त्रिजगज्जनाः। सर्वे नराश्च नार्यश्च मुदिता अभवंस्तराम्॥१८॥
When the goddess chose her own beloved, all the beings of the three worlds, who are portions of the divine pair, and every man and woman became exceedingly joyful.
Passage 19
असुरेन्द्रैर्हृता च श्रीस्त्रिलोक्याः प्रोषितेव या। साभूत्पुनः परावृत्ता वृते नारायणे श्रिया॥१९॥
The prosperity of the three worlds, which the chiefs of the Asuras had stolen and which seemed to have gone into exile, returned once more when Śrī chose Nārāyaṇa.
Passage 20
ऐधन्त त्रिदशाः सर्वे पुनः स्वस्वपदाशिषा। जजागार त्रिजगतां पुनः श्रीः श्रीपतेर्बलात्॥२०॥
All the gods prospered again, blessed in their respective stations. By the power of Śrī's Lord, the fortune of the three worlds awoke once more.
Passage 21
अथो अवादयन्त मृदङ्गदुन्दुभीशङ्खभेरीमुरजानकादयः। वाद्यप्रभेदास्त्रिदशोपजीविभिर्विद्याधरैः सोत्सवगानमाहताः॥२१॥
Then the Vidyādharas who served the gods struck the many kinds of instruments— mṛdaṅgas, kettledrums, conches, large drums, murajas, ānakas, and others—amid festive song.
Passage 22
गायतां नृत्यतां चैव स्तुवतां पठतां तथा। देवगन्धर्वविद्याधरवर्याणामभवत्स्वनः॥२२॥
A great sound arose from the finest gods, Gandharvas, and Vidyādharas as they sang, danced, offered praise, and recited sacred texts.
Passage 23
ब्रह्मा रुद्रस्तथा शक्रो वाक्पतिश्चेतरे सुराः। तमीड़ाश्चक्रिरे देवं सर्षिभिर्मन्त्रसूक्तिभिः॥२३॥
Brahmā, Rudra, Śakra, Bṛhaspati, and the other gods, together with the sages, praised the Lord with mantras and Vedic hymns.
Passage 24
विष्णुसूक्तैः पृथग्विष्णुमस्तुवन् वेदवित्तमाः। श्रीसूक्तैश्च श्रियं देवीं परमाह्लादमन्थराम्॥२४॥
The foremost knowers of the Veda separately praised Viṣṇu with Viṣṇu hymns and the goddess Śrī, languid with supreme delight, with Śrī hymns. Prosperity Returns
Passage 25
तस्याः कृपाकटाक्षेण सप्रजापतयः सुराः। पुनः स्वगुणसंयुक्ता अभवन् येऽसुरैर्जिताः॥२५॥
By her compassionate sidelong glance, the gods and Prajāpatis who had been defeated by the Asuras regained their own powers.
Passage 26
उपेक्षितास्तया देव्या स्वकृपालोकतोऽसुराः। सर्वदूषणसम्पन्ना अभवन् दैत्यदानवाः॥२६॥
Excluded by the goddess from her gracious gaze, the Daityas and Dānavas became possessed of every defect.
Passage 27
ततः समुद्रः सम्पद्भिर्मणिकाञ्चनभूषणैः। अतोषयद् रमाकान्तमुवाच च मुदा युतः॥२७॥
Then the ocean pleased Ramā's beloved with riches, jewels, gold, and ornaments, and joyfully addressed him.
Passage 28
एषा तवाङ्घ्रिसेवार्थं दासिका त्रिजगत्प्रभो। मया निवेदिता देव ग्राह्या करुणया दृशा॥२८॥
“Lord of the three worlds, I offer this maidservant for service at your feet. O God, please accept her with a compassionate gaze.
Passage 29
भूयश्च दास्य एवेमास्तव सेवापरायणाः। अनुग्रहीष्यसि ह्येता एकान्तभजनोत्सुकाः॥२९॥
“These others too are maidservants devoted to your service. Please favor them, for they long to worship you exclusively.”
Passage 30
इत्थं वचः समुद्रस्य श्रुत्वा देवो रमापतिः। उवाच त्रिजगद्वन्द्यमनोज्ञचरणाम्बुजः॥३०॥
Hearing these words of the ocean, the Lord of Ramā, whose enchanting lotus feet are revered by the three worlds, replied.
Passage 31
यदुक्तं तत्त्वया सत्यं भक्ता एव मता इमाः। मम सेवापरा नित्यं प्राप्स्यन्ति सुखमुत्तमम्॥३१॥
“What you have said is true. I regard them as devotees. Ever intent on my service, they shall attain the highest happiness. The Future Sītā–Rāma Līlā
Passage 32
किन्तु सिद्धपदं सिन्धो मामको लोक उत्तमः। एतास्तु साधनावस्थाः सिद्धा भूत्वा लभन्तु माम्॥३२॥
“Yet, ocean, my supreme realm is the station of the perfected. These maidens are still in the stage of spiritual practice; after becoming perfected, let them attain me.
Passage 33
तावन्नीरनिधे शश्वत् त्वत्तीरभुवमाश्रिताः। एतास्तपस्तपस्यन्तु मम भक्तिबलोज्जिताः॥३३॥
“Until then, treasure-house of waters, let them remain upon your shore and continually perform austerity, strengthened by devotion to me.
Passage 34
आगामिनि विरिञ्चौ तु कल्पे सारस्वताभिधे। राज्ञो दशरथस्याहं भवितास्मि गृहे सुतः॥३४॥
“In the coming Brahmā's cycle, in the kalpa named Sārasvata, I shall become a son in King Daśaratha's house.
Passage 35
पिता मे रावणाद्भीतो धर्ता मां निधिसम्मितम्। प्रमोदवनगोपस्य सुखितस्य निकेतने॥३५॥
“My father, afraid of Rāvaṇa, will entrust me like a treasure to the home of Sukhita, the cowherd of Pramoda-vana.
Passage 36
तत्राहं विहरिष्यामि गूढलिङ्गः स्वमायया। नित्याभिः केलिकान्ताभिः पुरुषः शक्तिभिर्यथा॥३६॥
“There I shall sport in a concealed form through my own māyā, like the Supreme Person with his eternal, lovely powers of play.
Passage 37
तत्रैता अपि मां प्राप्य निजशक्तिविलासिनम्। मानयिष्यन्ति सुरतं संजाता गोदुहां कुले॥३७॥
“Born among the cowherds, these maidens too will attain me there as I sport through my own powers, and they will honor me through the play of love.
Passage 38
इयं च कमलादेवी तव पुत्री महोदया। जनकस्य गृहे राज्ञो भविता मामनुव्रता॥३८॥
“And this exalted lotus goddess, your daughter, will be born in King Janaka's house, devoted to following me.”
Passage 39
इति माधवेन समुदीरितं वचो जलधिर्निशम्य विनयेन संयुतः। निगमेन तुल्यमिति चेतसा स्वयं ननु निश्चिकाय वचनं रमापतेः॥३९॥
Hearing these words spoken by Mādhava, the ocean, filled with humility, recognized within his own heart that the Lord of Ramā's statement was surely equal in authority to the Veda.