Passage 1
श्रीराम उवाच— ब्रह्मानन्दरसावाप्त्यै भजनीया त्वमिन्दिरे। प्रेमानन्दरसावाप्त्यै श्रीमती सहजेश्वरी॥१॥
Śrī Rāma said: Indirā, you are to be worshiped for attaining the rasa of Brahman-bliss, while glorious Sahajeśvarī is to be worshiped for attaining the rasa of love's bliss.
Passage 2
त्वं चेयं च परानन्दरूपिण्यौ मयि संगते। उभे अपि प्रिये नित्ये मम नित्यविलासिनः॥२॥
You and she are both embodiments of supreme bliss joined with me; both are my eternal beloveds as I sport eternally.
Passage 3
ज्ञानभक्तिस्वरूपा त्वं श्रीमज्जनकनन्दिनि। प्रेमभक्तिस्वरूपेयं सहजानन्दिनी प्रिया॥३॥
Glorious daughter of Janaka, you embody devotion grounded in knowledge, while beloved Sahajānandinī embodies loving devotion.
Passage 4
ज्ञानिनोऽपि लीयन्ते भक्ता अपि भवान्ततः। प्रेमभक्तिपरा नित्यं विलसन्ति मया सह॥४॥
At the end of worldly becoming, knowers and ordinary devotees alike are absorbed; those devoted to loving devotion sport eternally with me.
Passage 5
भवे न पुनरावृत्तिरुभयेषामपि प्रिये। मृत्योर्मूर्ध्नि पदं दत्त्वा प्राप्तानां परमं पदम्॥५॥
Beloved, neither group returns to worldly existence after placing a foot upon death's head and reaching the supreme abode.
Passage 6
सालोक्यसार्ष्टिसारूप्यप्रमुखा याश्च मुक्तयः। त्वं हि तासामधिष्ठात्री परा ज्ञानफलोदया॥६॥
You are the supreme presiding power over liberation's forms—dwelling in the same realm, sharing divine sovereignty, attaining like form, and the rest—which arise as the fruit of knowledge.
Passage 7
न सत्त्वेन विना ज्ञानं न ज्ञानेन विना क्वचित्। भवबन्धविनिर्मुक्तिर्भवेदज्ञाननाशजा॥७॥
There is no knowledge without purity, and without knowledge there can be no release from worldly bondage, for liberation is born from the destruction of ignorance.
Passage 8
इति बन्धश्च मोक्षश्च त्वदायत्तावुभावपि। विद्याविद्यास्वरूपेण क्रीडसीह त्वमीदृशी॥८॥
Thus bondage and liberation both depend upon you; in this world you play in the forms of knowledge and ignorance.
Passage 9
आवर्त्यो मम लीलाश्च प्रमोदवनकुञ्जगाः। सरय्वाः पुलिने रम्ये मुक्ताकुञ्जमनोहरे॥९॥
My recurring līlās unfold in Pramodavana's bowers, upon the lovely bank of the Sarayū in the enchanting pearl bower.
Passage 10
तासां भवत्यधिष्ठात्री सहजानन्दिनी प्रिया। अतश्च सहजारामा परा श्रीरिति गीयते॥१०॥
Beloved Sahajānandinī presides over those līlās; therefore she is celebrated as Sahajārāmā, the supreme Śrī.
Passage 11
लीलानन्दैकरसिका भोगसंकोचनाशिनी। नित्यानुकम्पाधरणी नित्यलीलाप्रवेशदा॥११॥
She delights solely in the bliss of līlā, destroys every restriction upon enjoyment, bears eternal compassion, and grants entry into the eternal play.
Passage 12
यर्हि ज्ञानात्परं याति पूर्णां प्रेमकलां मयि। तर्हि मन्नित्यलीलायां प्रवेशायोचितो भवेत्॥१२॥
When a soul goes beyond knowledge and attains the fullness of loving devotion to me, it becomes fit to enter my eternal līlā. The Gatekeeper Presents a Devotee
Passage 13
कुञ्जालयप्रतीहारी वेत्रहस्ता प्रवेशिका। श्यामारामाधन्यतमा सखी वक्ति तमागतम्॥१३॥
The bower's gatekeeper, a most blessed sakhī of Śyāmā and Rāmā, stands with staff in hand and announces the arrival.
Passage 14
हे नाथ सहजाकान्त काचिच्चन्द्रमुखी वधूः। भवन्तं परमप्रेमपरिपाकेन शुद्धहृत्॥१४॥
“Lord, beloved of Sahajā, a certain moon-faced young woman has purified her heart through the ripening of supreme love for you.
Passage 15
शुद्धो जीव इह प्राप्तः प्राप्यालभ्यं सखीपदम्। स इदानीमिह स्वामिन् प्रवेश्यो नाथ वा वद॥१५॥
“This purified soul has come here after attaining the rarely won station of a sakhī. Master, tell me whether she should now be admitted.”
Passage 16
इत्युक्तो वेत्रधारिण्या प्रतीहार्या नियुक्तया। अहं श्रीसहजाननं मुखं चन्द्राधिकप्रभम्॥१६॥
Thus addressed by the appointed staff-bearing gatekeeper, I gazed upon Śrī Sahajā's face, which shone more brightly than the moon.
Passage 17
वीक्षमाणश्चिरं तिष्ठाम्यस्वतन्त्र इव प्रिये। ततः सा स्वामिनी मह्यमिदमीरयति स्फुटम्॥१७॥
Beloved, I stood looking for a long while as though no longer master of myself. Then my Lady plainly said this to me.
Passage 18
स्मितज्योत्स्नाचमत्कारविशदीकृतमन्दिरा। किं तेऽभिलाषः कान्तास्याः प्रवेशेनाथ वा प्रभो॥१८॥
The wondrous moonlight of her smile brightened the bower: “Lord, what is your wish concerning this beloved woman's admission?”
Passage 19
ततोऽहं स्वामिनीमेनां ब्रवीमि रुचिरं वचः। चिरं तप्यत्वसौ तीव्रं तपस्तीर्थेषु सुन्दरि॥१९॥
Then I spoke these charming words to my Lady: “Beautiful one, let her first perform severe austerity for a long time at sacred places.
Passage 20
ततश्च योगिनां स्थानं ज्ञानिनां च मनोरमम्। प्राप्नोत्विह पुनः कस्य प्रवेशः स्याद्वरानने॥२०॥
“Then let her attain the delightful station of yogins and knowers. Fair-faced one, who after that could be admitted here?
Passage 21
आवयोः सुरहःक्रीडामावां जानीवहे प्रिये। अन्यस्य ज्ञापनार्हं नैवेति मम निश्चितम्॥२१॥
“Beloved, only we two know our beautiful secret play; I am certain that it is not fit to be revealed to another.”
Passage 22
ततः सा स्मितचन्द्रास्या साकूतमिदमाह माम्। नित्योऽभिलाष एतस्यास्तव लीलावलोकने॥२२॥
Then she, her smiling face like the moon, spoke to me with meaningful intent: “This woman's constant longing is to behold your līlā.
Passage 23
स कथं नाथ भज्येत न लभेच्चेत्प्रवेशनम्। ज्ञानिनः प्रेमभक्ताश्च तुल्या एव स्युरञ्जसा॥२३॥
“Lord, how could she worship if she were denied entry? Then knowers and loving devotees would in truth be no different. Sahajā Establishes the Right of Entry
Passage 24
ततश्च को भजेन्नाथ आवामधिकलिप्सया। श्रुतिश्च व्याहतैव स्याद्भक्त्यत्यन्तफलबोधिका॥२४॥
“Who then, Lord, would worship us with the desire to attain us? Scripture, which teaches devotion's highest fruit, would itself be contradicted.
Passage 25
निहितं गुहायां यो वेद परमे व्योम्नि तत्पदम्। सोऽश्नुते सकलान् कामान् विपश्चिद्ब्रह्मणा सह॥२५॥
“One who knows that station hidden in the cave, in the highest heaven, enjoys every desire together with all-knowing Brahman.
Passage 26
गुहा वै हृदयाकाशः परमव्योम चाक्षरम्। तत्पदं परमं नित्यं प्रमोदवनसंज्ञिकम्॥२६॥
“The cave is the space of the heart, the highest heaven is the imperishable, and that eternal supreme station is called Pramodavana.
Passage 27
एतद्यो नियतं वेद स भक्तः प्रेमशीलनः। भुङ्क्ते स सकलान् कामान् दिव्यभोगरसोत्तरान्॥२७॥
“The loving devotee who knows this with certainty enjoys every desire, culminating in the rasa of divine delight.
Passage 28
आवयोर्युगलं यच्च विपश्चिद्ब्रह्म तन्मतम्। तत्सहक्रीडनं चैतदावयोर्धाम्नि वेशनात्॥२८॥
“Our divine pair is understood to be all-knowing Brahman, and enjoying play with us comes from entering our abode.
Passage 29
इति नित्यः श्रुतेरर्थः सतां चित्ते प्रकाशते। भजन्ति तेन विश्वस्ता आप्तस्य वचसा यथा॥२९॥
“This is scripture's eternal meaning, revealed in the hearts of the holy; trusting it as the word of one who knows, they worship accordingly.
Passage 30
नान्यथा कथयेद्वेदो नान्यथा भजनं भवेत्। अतः प्रवेशनीयैयं कुञ्जद्वारगता वधूः॥३०॥
“The Veda would not speak falsely, nor can worship be otherwise; therefore this young woman who has reached the bower door must be admitted.”
Passage 31
इति श्रीसहजावाक्यं श्रुत्वाहं पुनरब्रुवम्। यथेष्टं प्रविशत्वेषा आवयोः केलिसञ्जनि॥३१॥
Hearing Śrī Sahajā's words, I replied: “Let this woman, who kindles our play, enter as she desires.
Passage 32
किं तु स्त्रीणां मनोभावश्चञ्चलो भवति प्रिये। कोटिमन्मथसौन्दर्यं दृष्ट्वा मां कामयेत सा॥३२॥
“But, beloved, a woman's emotions can be unsteady. Seeing me, whose beauty equals ten million Love-gods, she may desire me.
Passage 33
तदा तव मनोग्लानिः सहजेशि न किं भवेत्। सपत्नीभावसामर्षा किं न त्वं मानिनी भवेः॥३३॥
“Sahajā, would that not distress your heart? Would rivalry with a co-wife not make you indignant and proud?
Passage 34
अतो विचार्य कर्तव्यं स्त्र्यन्तरस्य प्रवेशनम्। तथा कुरु यथा देवि नानुतापः पुनर्भवेत्॥३४॥
“Therefore another woman's admission must be considered carefully. Goddess, act so that no regret arises later.”
Passage 35
इत्युक्ता मयका देवी सहजा पुनरब्रवीत्। आवयोर्गुणसंदोहो नान्यसाधारणः प्रिय॥३५॥
Thus addressed by me, Goddess Sahajā replied: “Beloved, the wealth of qualities we share is common to no one else.
Passage 36
अहमस्मि त्वदङ्गा त्वं च मदङ्गः प्रिय। आवयोः सहजः प्रेमा नान्यसाधारणः प्रभो॥३६॥
“I am part of you and you are part of me, beloved. Lord, our innate love belongs to no one else.
Passage 37
काहं कुर्याममर्षं च मत्समा का तव प्रिया। बहुधा सम्प्रतीतोऽसि सुन्दरीनिवहेष्वपि॥३७॥
“Why should I feel resentment, and what beloved of yours could equal me? You have already appeared in manifold ways among hosts of beautiful women.
Passage 38
इयं वराकी युवतिरावयोर्दर्शनार्थिनी। कं मत्सापत्न्यभावेन युक्ता स्यान्मानकृन्मम॥३८॥
“This poor young woman seeks only to behold us. How could she become my rival and provoke my jealous pride?” The New Sakhī Is Admitted
Passage 39
इत्युदीरितमाकर्ण्य स्वामिन्याः साधुचेतसः। उवाचाहं प्रतीहारीं वेत्रहस्तां प्रवेशदाम्॥३९॥
Hearing the noble-hearted Lady's words, I addressed the staff-bearing gatekeeper who grants admission.
Passage 40
आज्ञापयति चेदेषा प्रिया मे प्राणवल्लभा। तदा प्रवेशयतमां भक्तां तां नवकन्यकाम्॥४०॥
“If this beloved, dearer than my life, commands it, then admit that devoted young maiden at once.”
Passage 41
इत्याज्ञाता प्रतीहारी प्रावेशयत तां सखीम्। तस्याः प्रेमगुणाकृष्टा सहजेशी अन्वरज्यत॥४१॥
Thus commanded, the gatekeeper brought that sakhī inside. Drawn by the quality of her love, Sahajeśī became deeply attached to her.
Passage 42
कृतप्रणामां तां दूरादन्तिके सालिकानयत्। तस्याः करौ समादाय सहजानन्दिनी स्वयम्॥४२॥
After the newcomer had bowed from afar, the attendant brought her near. Sahajānandinī herself took both her hands—
Passage 43
मह्यं समर्पयामास करुणालोललोचना। इयं ते मत्सखी नाथ सेवनार्थमुपागता॥४३॥
and, her eyes moving with compassion, presented her to me: “Lord, this sakhī of mine has come to serve you.
Passage 44
रहः सेवाविधौ नित्यं स्थापनीया वराङ्गना। समीप एव चाप्येनां भजस्व भजनोद्धुराम्॥४४॥
“This excellent woman should always be appointed to secret service. Keep this eager worshiper close beside you.
Passage 45
कोटिकल्पांस्तपस्तप्त्वा शुद्धप्रेमोदयेन च। आवां निषेवितवती सरयूतटभूमिगा॥४५॥
“For ten million cosmic ages she practiced austerity, and when pure love arose she worshiped us while dwelling upon the Sarayū's bank.
Passage 46
ततश्चैषा परित्यज्य लिङ्गं गुणमयं वपुः। शुद्धजीवत्वमापेदे प्रेम्णा चाधिकवृद्धिता॥४६॥
“Then she cast off the subtle body made of the guṇas, attained the state of a purified soul, and grew still more through love.
Passage 47
इदं पदं परिप्राप्ता प्रमोदवनसंज्ञकम्। माधुर्यरसरक्तेयं सखीभावमुपागता॥४७॥
“She has reached this station called Pramodavana; devoted to the rasa of sweetness, she has attained the disposition of a sakhī.
Passage 48
आवयोर्नित्यलीलायां स्थास्यति प्रिय संततम्। चामरैर्व्यजनाद्यैर्नौ नित्यं परिचरिष्यति॥४८॥
“Beloved, she will remain forever in our eternal līlā and constantly serve us with yak-tail fans, hand fans, and other articles.
Passage 49
कृपाकटाक्षसंदोहैः पीयूषाधिकशीतलैः। इमामानन्दयतमां यथा परिचरेत्सुखम्॥४९॥
“Delight her with streams of gracious glances cooler than nectar so that she may serve joyfully.”
Passage 50
इत्युक्तोऽहं सहजया जनानुग्रहशीलया। एवमस्त्विति तां गोपीं रहः स्थापितवानहम्॥५०॥
Thus addressed by Sahajā, whose nature is to bless souls, I said, “So be it,” and appointed that gopī to the secret service. Rāma and Sahajā Are One
Passage 51
अतो जानकि नन्वेतद्ब्रवीमि त्वां प्रयत्नतः। सर्वकार्येष्वहं तस्याः परतन्त्रोऽस्मि सर्वदा॥५१॥
Therefore, Jānakī, I tell you this with care: in every matter I am always subject to her will.
Passage 52
सहजाया यदाकूतं तदहं साधु साधये। न विचारोऽस्ति मे तस्या अभीष्टार्थविधौ क्वचित्॥५२॥
I faithfully accomplish whatever Sahajā intends; I never hesitate in fulfilling the object she desires.
Passage 53
इति ते सम्यगाख्यातं निगमैरपि वर्णितम्। तत्त्वं श्रीसहजेशान्याः स्वरूपं च रहस्यकम्॥५३॥
Thus I have fully explained to you Śrī Sahajeśānī's truth and secret nature, which the Vedas also describe.
Passage 54
मम श्रीसहजायाश्च नैव भेदोऽस्ति कश्चन। एकमेव द्विधारूपं रासःकेलिरिरंसया॥५४॥
There is no distinction at all between Śrī Sahajā and me. The one reality takes two forms from the desire to enjoy rāsa play.
Passage 55
मत्तोऽधिकप्रभावेयं भक्तोद्धरणकर्मणि। साध्यसाधनरूपेयं स्वयमेव प्रतिष्ठिता॥५५॥
In the work of uplifting devotees she is more powerful even than I; she herself abides as both the goal and its means.
Passage 56
पुराणेषु च वेदेषु विततेष्वागमेषु च। यामलेषु संहितासु सिद्धान्तेषु च सर्वशः॥५६॥
Throughout the Purāṇas, the Vedas, the extensive Āgamas, the Yāmalas, the Saṃhitās, and the doctrinal treatises—
Passage 57
बुधैर्व्याससमासाभ्यामियमेव हि गीयते। य एनां प्रविजानन्ति प्रविज्ञाय भजन्ति च॥५७॥
the wise sing of her alone, at length and in summary. Those who truly know her and, having known, worship her—
Passage 58
न तेषां भुक्तिमुक्त्यादि दुर्लभं वस्तु किंचन। य एनां न विजानन्ति तेषां वै ज्ञानिनामपि॥५८॥
find nothing at all—from enjoyment to liberation—difficult to attain. But even if those who do not know her are learned,
Passage 59
वृथा ज्ञानं च विज्ञानं फलशून्यतया प्रिये। य एनां न भजन्त्यद्धा ते मद्भाजोऽपि पुरुषाः॥५९॥
beloved, their learning and realization are fruitless. Even people who worship me but do not worship her directly—
Passage 60
न तथा फलयोगेन युज्यन्ते जनकात्मजे। यथामुष्या भजनतः फलभाजो भवन्ति हि॥६०॥
daughter of Janaka, do not obtain such fullness of fruit as those who worship her assuredly receive.
Passage 61
प्रमुदवनमहेशी नित्यलीलारसज्ञा शुभगुणगणराशिः सर्वसौन्दर्यसीमा। असममहिमधामा लोकसम्पत्समग्रा निखिलनिगमगेया नन्दनस्यात्मजेयम्॥६१॥
This daughter of Nandana is the great Lady of Pramodavana, knower of the rasa of eternal līlā, treasury of auspicious qualities, and utmost limit of all beauty. She is the abode of incomparable majesty, the entirety of the world's splendor, and the one praised by all the Vedas. Source Note The Sanskrit follows source leaves 369–373 (printed pages 342–346). The colophon prints the chapter number 97; the chapter's own continuously numbered passage sequence ends at 61.