Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— कुबेरोदीरितं वाक्यं सत्यं दैन्यपुरःसरम्। श्रुत्वा पुलस्त्यो भगवांस्तमूचे हर्षयन् हृदि॥१॥
Brahmā said: Hearing Kubera's truthful words, spoken from distress, the blessed Pulastya addressed him so as to gladden his heart.
Passage 2
भवानापद्यतां वत्स न स्थानभ्रंशमात्मनः। न जातु कृतबुद्धीनां भवेद् दुःखं परैः कृतम्॥२॥
“Child, do not regard the loss of your dwelling as a calamity. Harm inflicted by others can never truly distress those whose resolve is firm.
Passage 3
अस्त्युत्तरस्यां नगरी सर्वभोगसुखप्रदा। अलका नाम यक्षेश विश्रुता भुवनत्रये॥३॥
“In the north stands a city called Alakā, O lord of the Yakṣas. Famous throughout the three worlds, it bestows every enjoyment and happiness.
Passage 4
नवापि निधयो यस्यां वसन्ति सुनिराकुलाः। परमानन्दमग्नाश्च यक्षगन्धर्वकिन्नराः॥४॥
“All nine treasures dwell there entirely free from anxiety, while Yakṣas, Gandharvas, and Kinnaras are immersed in supreme bliss.
Passage 5
मन्दाकिनीतरङ्गाक्तमन्दमारुतसेविता। शीतला सुभगा पूता सर्वर्तुसुखभोगदा॥५॥
“It is served by gentle breezes moistened by the waves of the Mandākinī—cool, lovely, pure, and granting delightful enjoyment in every season.
Passage 6
रत्नस्तम्भैर्महोच्छ्रायैः प्रासादैरुपशोभिता। रत्नाट्टावलिशोभाढ्या तुङ्गध्वजविराजिता॥६॥
“Lofty palaces with jewelled pillars adorn it. It shines with rows of gem-set mansions and high-flying banners.
Passage 7
संचरद्यक्षनारीणां पादाम्भोरुहनूपुरैः। कूजदिन्द्रमेखलाद्यैश्च भूषणैरुपघोषिता॥७॥
“It resounds with the anklets upon the lotus feet of passing Yakṣa women and with their chiming girdles and other ornaments.
Passage 8
गृहस्फाटिकभित्तीनां भासितानां रवेस्त्विषा। नित्यमुद्रिक्तया दीप्त्या रोचिष्णुः सर्वतोदिशम्॥८॥
“The crystal walls of its homes, illuminated by the sun's radiance, perpetually overflow with brilliance and make every direction shine. The Splendour of Alakā
Passage 9
सूपक्लृप्तैर्मणिमयैश्चत्वरैरुपशोभिता। सुवर्णरत्नप्राकारबृहद्गोपुरमण्डिता॥९॥
“It is beautified by well-planned courtyards fashioned from jewels and graced by great gateways and ramparts of gold and gems.
Passage 10
सुहीरकोपरचितैः कपाटैः स्वर्णकीलकैः। देदीप्यमानभवना सर्ववर्णविचित्रिता॥१०॥
“Its buildings blaze with doors richly set with diamonds and fastened by golden studs, variegated with every color.
Passage 11
तोरणैर्मणिमाणिक्यमुक्तागणविचित्रितैः। विन्यस्तैश्चिरालेख्यैः सर्वतो भासुरालया॥११॥
“Its dwellings gleam on every side with gateways patterned in gems, rubies, and masses of pearls, and with enduring painted designs.
Passage 12
गृहनिर्यूहविश्रान्तैर्विचित्रस्वरनादिभिः। विचित्रवर्णैर्विहगैः समन्तात्परिशोभिता॥१२॥
“Birds of many colors rest upon the projecting roofs and fill the air with varied calls, beautifying the city on every side.
Passage 13
विचित्ररत्नजटितैर्मुकुराकारशालिभिः। अजिरैर्गृहमुख्यानां बहिरन्तर्विराजिता॥१३॥
“The outer and inner courts of its principal houses shine like mirrors, inlaid with many kinds of jewels.
Passage 14
विचित्रवलभीवेश्ममणिवातायनाञ्चिता। बृहदापणविन्यस्तसर्वसम्पत्सुशोभिता॥१४॥
“It is adorned with varied upper chambers, mansions, and jewelled windows, and splendid with every treasure displayed in great markets.
Passage 15
वापीभिर्मणिबद्धाभिर्बृहन्निःश्रेणिराजिभिः। उत्फुल्लपङ्कजामोदवासिताशेषवेश्मभिः॥१५॥
“Its stepwells are faced with gems and lined by broad flights of stairs; the fragrance of fully opened lotuses perfumes every residence.
Passage 16
राजहंसकुलक्वाणशालिनीभिर्विराजिता। रत्नबद्धबृहत्पथ्या संचरद्वरयोषिताम्॥१६॥
“It is splendid with the cries of flocks of royal swans and with broad, jewel-paved avenues along which noble women move.
Passage 17
गतिक्रमैः सुरुचिरैर्विक्रमत्पञ्चसायका। प्रतिवीथि प्रतिगृहं प्रतिद्वारं प्रतिस्थलम्॥१७॥
“At every street, house, doorway, and open place, their exquisitely graceful steps conquer even the five-arrowed god of love.
Passage 18
उत्फुल्लवरमन्दारपुष्पस्तवकशोभिता। कल्पद्रुमवृतारामगुञ्जन्मत्तमधुव्रता॥१८॥
“It is beautiful with clusters of fully blossomed heavenly coral-tree flowers; intoxicated bees hum in gardens encircled by wish-fulfilling trees.
Passage 19
सरोभिः सरसीभिश्च रत्ननिःश्रेणिकान्तिभिः। पीयूषस्वच्छसलिललुलल्लहरिवीचिभिः॥१९॥
“Its lakes and pools shine with jewelled stairways and with rolling waves of water clear as nectar.
Passage 20
सर्वदेशेषु शोभाढ्या सोत्साहैर्वरकिन्नरैः। किन्नरीभिः सर्वकालं भूषणोज्ज्वलकान्तिभिः॥२०॥
“Every quarter is splendid at all times with spirited, excellent Kinnaras and Kinnarīs whose beauty glows beneath their ornaments.
Passage 21
आगच्छतां गच्छतां च गन्धर्वाप्सरसां गणैः। विमानैश्च महादीप्तिभासमानैर्दिवानिशम्॥२१॥
“Day and night it shines with hosts of Gandharvas and Apsarases arriving and departing in aerial cars of surpassing brilliance.
Passage 22
शोभिता शुभसम्पन्ना नानागीतवरध्वनिः। नित्योत्सवप्रवृत्तानां गन्धर्ववरयोषिताम्॥२२॥
“Rich in auspicious beauty, it resounds with the excellent and varied songs of Gandharva women engaged in perpetual celebration.
Passage 23
करतालैः पादतालैर्मुखरीकृतमन्दिरा। वरसौरभ्यसुभगा लुभ्यन्मधुकराञ्चिता॥२३॥
“Handbeats and dancing footbeats make its mansions resound. Lovely with exquisite fragrance, it is thronged by eager bees.
Passage 24
पुंस्कोकिलकुलोद्गीर्णं विलसत्पञ्चमस्वरा। वीणामर्दङ्गमुरजगम्भीरध्वनिनादिता॥२४॥
“The shining fifth note pours from flocks of male cuckoos, while deep sounds from vīṇās, mardalas, and muraja drums reverberate through the city.
Passage 25
सद्रत्नमञ्जरीपुष्पैः शोभितैर्विततोन्नतैः। स्वर्णशालमहास्तम्भैर्दीप्यमाना दिवानिशम्॥२५॥
“Day and night it gleams with lofty golden halls and great pillars adorned by flower clusters made from precious jewels. A City of Delight beside Kailāsa
Passage 26
प्रयोगबद्धादरैर्भोगरसिकैर्मदनालसैः। किन्नरीणां कुलैर्जुष्टा शुद्धशृङ्गाररतिभाजनम्॥२६॥
“It is frequented by groups of Kinnarīs devoted to the arts of love, connoisseurs of pleasure languid with passion, and is an abode of pure amorous delight.
Passage 27
सौधेषु चन्द्रशुभ्रेषु फेनपुञ्जविराजिषु। तल्पेषु किन्नरस्त्रीणां प्रवृत्तसुरतोत्सवा॥२७॥
“In moon-white palaces gleaming like masses of foam, Kinnara women celebrate the festival of love upon their couches.
Passage 28
सर्वकालप्रमुदितनरनारीगणावृता। प्रसूनसायकक्रीडासञ्जातरतिर्वर्धिनी॥२८॥
“It is always filled with joyful hosts of men and women and increases the love awakened by the flower-arrowed god's play.
Passage 29
हावभावाञ्चितैर्जातचुम्बनालिङ्गनोत्सवैः। सदारैर्वरगन्धर्वैर्नीतसोज्जागरक्षपा॥२९॥
“Excellent Gandharvas and their wives pass sleepless nights there amid graceful gestures and celebrations of kisses and embraces.
Passage 30
श्रीमत्कैलासशैलस्य नित्यं सन्निहितेव या। पार्वतीपतिभालस्थचन्द्रज्योत्स्नाप्रकाशिता॥३०॥
“Alakā stands forever beside glorious Mount Kailāsa, illuminated by the moonlight shining from the brow of Pārvatī's lord.
Passage 31
मिलन्मन्दाकिनीतुङ्गतरङ्गावलिसङ्गिना। प्राकारेणावृता नित्यमगम्यपरिखावलिः॥३१॥
“Its encircling wall is perpetually joined by the Mandākinī's lofty succession of waves, forming an impassable chain of moats.
Passage 32
आनन्दमग्नभूतेशगणाक्रीडैकभाजनम्। उमामहेश्वरक्रीडारससौभाग्यशोभिता॥३२॥
“It is the special playground of Śiva's attendants, immersed in bliss, and shines with the blessed sweetness of Umā and Maheśvara's play.
Passage 33
अजस्रं नन्दिभृङ्ग्यादिचित्तसन्तोषदायिनी। भवानीस्कन्दहेरम्बमहोत्सवविधायिनी॥३३॥
“It continually delights the hearts of Nandin, Bhṛṅgin, and the others, and holds great festivals for Bhavānī, Skanda, and Heramba.
Passage 34
शिवसेवासमायातशक्रादिसुरसेविता। फुल्लचैत्ररथोद्यानसङ्गित्रिविधमारुतैः॥३४॥
“It is attended by Indra and other gods who come to serve Śiva, and by varied breezes passing through the blooming Caitraratha garden.
Passage 35
गन्धर्ववरनारीणां हृतसम्भोगजश्रमा। कैलासशैलसौन्दर्यदर्शनासक्तकिन्नरा॥३५॥
“It removes the weariness born of love-play from the finest Gandharva women, while its Kinnaras remain absorbed in beholding Kailāsa's beauty.
Passage 36
प्रतिवेश्म वृषारूढशिवभिक्षाटनाञ्चिता। निरन्तरमहादेवदर्शनानन्दवर्धिनी॥३६॥
“Every mansion bears images of bull-mounted Śiva wandering for alms, and the joy of beholding Mahādeva continually increases there.
Passage 37
सर्वर्तुसुखशोभाढ्या नित्यं माधवसेविता। कल्पद्रुमवनानन्दिकूजद्भ्रमरकोकिला॥३७॥
“Rich in the beauty and pleasures of every season, it is always served by spring; bees and cuckoos sing joyfully in its wish-fulfilling groves.
Passage 38
पार्वतीपतितोषार्थं गायद्भिर्मूर्च्छितस्वरैः। वल्लकीमूर्च्छनासक्तैर्गन्धर्वैः सुखवर्धिनी॥३८॥
“Its happiness is increased by Gandharvas who sing modulated melodies to please Pārvatī's lord, absorbed in the musical modes of their lutes. Pulastya's Command and Promise
Passage 39
एतादृशीं त्वमलकानगरीमजस्रमाश्रित्य सर्वसुखभोगरसेन यथेच्छं कालं कुबेर मम वाक्यमुररीकुरुष्व चित्तं निवर्तय दशाननयुद्धखेदात्॥३९॥
“Kubera, make such a city of Alakā your permanent refuge and pass your time as you wish, relishing every happiness and enjoyment. Accept my counsel and turn your mind away from the anguish of war with the ten-headed one.
Passage 40
तत्रानिशं निवसतस्तव यक्षराज मैत्री भविष्यति चिरं गिरिराजसखेन। ईशेन सर्वजगतां करुणार्णवेन साक्षाद्भवेन किमतः परमीहितं ते॥४०॥
“O Yakṣa king, as you dwell there day and night, you will enjoy lasting friendship with Bhava himself—the lord of every world, ocean of compassion, and companion of the mountain king. What greater object could you desire?
Passage 41
गन्धर्वयक्षमहकिन्नरराजधानीमेकान्तभूतिमलकानगरीं प्रशास्तु। त्वं राजराज इति सर्वभवे प्रसिद्धिमेकां गमिष्यसि समस्तनिधीश्वरः सन्॥४१॥
“Rule Alakā, the supremely prosperous capital of Gandharvas, Yakṣas, and eminent Kinnaras. As lord of all treasures, you will become renowned throughout existence by the unique title ‘King of Kings.’” Source Note The Sanskrit follows source leaves 388–390 (printed pages 361–363). All forty-one independent passages are continuously numbered in the source.