Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— स साक्षाद्भगवान् रामो लीलामानुषविग्रहः। अरमच्चित्रकूटाद्रौ स्वानां प्रियहितं दधत्॥१॥
Brahmā said: Lord Rāma himself, bearing a human form for his līlā, delighted upon Mount Citrakūṭa while bestowing loving welfare upon his own people.
Passage 2
एवं दिनेषु गच्छत्सु चित्रकूटमहीधरे। रममाणं रमानाथमभ्यपेयुर्मुनीश्वराः॥२॥
As the days passed on Mount Citrakūṭa, great sages approached Ramā's Lord while he sported there.
Passage 3
यर्हि श्रीजानकीदेवी क्रीडन्ती स्वेच्छया वने। अत्रेर्महामुनीन्द्रस्य सदनं समपद्यत॥३॥
One day, as glorious Jānakī freely wandered in the forest, she came to the dwelling of Atri, foremost among great sages.
Passage 4
तदैव भगवान् रामोऽप्याश्रमं तस्य योगिनः। द्रष्टुकामोऽन्वगात्तत्र यत्र सा जनकात्मजा॥४॥
At that very time Lord Rāma, wishing to see the yogin's hermitage, followed the daughter of Janaka there.
Passage 5
अनसूया सतीरत्नमालिङ्गन्ती मनोज्ञया। गिरा प्रपूजितात्यर्थं तया स्रक्चन्दनादिभिः॥५॥
Anasūyā, jewel among faithful wives, embraced Jānakī, addressed her with charming words, and honored her greatly with garlands, sandal paste, and other offerings.
Passage 6
आगतं पुरुषश्रेष्ठमत्रिर्योगभृतां वरः। स्वागतासनपाद्यार्घभोजनादैरमानयत्॥६॥
Atri, foremost of yogins, honored the newly arrived best of men with welcome, a seat, water for his feet, an offering of respect, food, and the other courtesies.
Passage 7
उवाच स मुनिश्रेष्ठो ज्ञात्वा तं परमेश्वरम्। अहो स्वभावमधुरं चरितं ते रघूद्वह॥७॥
Knowing him to be the Supreme Lord, the eminent sage said, “O scion of Raghu, how naturally sweet is your conduct!
Passage 8
येन पालयसे धर्मं द्विजानां गृहमेधिनाम्। मुनीनामाश्रमजुषां यतीनां च कृतात्मनाम्॥८॥
“Through it you protect the dharma of twice-born householders, sages who dwell in hermitages, and self-mastered ascetics.
Passage 9
त्रयीमार्गं सतां धर्मं कुलधर्मं तथा नयम्। नित्यं पालयसे राम त्वं सूर्यकुलभूषण॥९॥
“Rāma, ornament of the solar dynasty, you continually preserve the Vedic way, the religion of the virtuous, family duty, and right governance.
Passage 10
प्रार्थिताधिकदातारस्तव पूर्वे महीश्वराः। अचिन्तितार्थदाता त्वं सर्वेभ्योऽपि विशिष्यसे॥१०॥
“The kings before you gave more than was requested, but you surpass them all by granting blessings that have not even been imagined.”
Passage 11
इत्युच्यमानो बहुशस्तं निवार्य महामुनिम्। उवाच रघुशार्दूलो वाचा पेशलया भृशम्॥११॥
Praised repeatedly in this way, the tiger of Raghu's line gently stopped the great sage and spoke to him in exceedingly gracious words.
Passage 12
अहो तवाश्रमं ब्रह्मन् पश्यतो मे मनो भृशम्। जगाम निर्वृतिं पूर्णां सत्त्वं वसति यत्र वै॥१२॥
“Brahmin, seeing your hermitage, where sattva truly dwells, my mind has entered complete and profound peace.
Passage 13
यत्र सत्त्वगुणः शुद्धो मनोमालिन्यमार्जकः। तत्रैव योगो धर्मश्च तपः सत्यं दया तथा॥१३॥
“Where pure sattva cleanses the mind's impurity, there alone abide yoga, dharma, austerity, truth, and compassion.
Passage 14
नन्वेते मुनयः शान्तास्तपसा दग्धकिल्बिषाः। कल्याणदर्शना मह्यं रोचन्तेऽनितरां हृदे॥१४॥
“These peaceful sages, whose sins have been burned away by austerity, are surely auspicious to behold and exceedingly pleasing to my heart.
Passage 15
तवाश्रमचरा ब्रह्मन् शुका अपि पठन्त्युत। ओंकारममलं वर्णं यद्बीजं वेदभूरुहः॥१५॥
“Brahmin, even the parrots roaming your hermitage recite the stainless syllable Oṃ, the seed from which the tree of the Veda grows.
Passage 16
साक्षात्तपोनिधे ब्रह्मन् भवान् धर्मप्रवर्तकः। त्वयाऽऽम्नातं विधिं लोका अनुवर्तन्त आदृताः॥१६॥
“Brahmin, you are austerity's treasure made manifest and a promulgator of dharma. The worlds respectfully follow the discipline you teach.
Passage 17
आत्मारामस्य ते ब्रह्मन्नाप्तकामत्वमीदृशम्। भाति यस्मिंस्तृणमिव भोगो ब्राह्मपदावधिः॥१७॥
“Self-delighting Brahmin, your perfect fulfillment shines so greatly that enjoyments extending even to Brahmā's station appear like blades of grass.
Passage 18
आज्ञापय यथेष्टं मां लोकानां शमहेतवे। सर्वतः परिपूर्णस्य न तेष्वाप्तव्यमिष्यते॥१८॥
“Command me as you wish for the welfare of the worlds. One who is complete in every way has nothing to obtain from their enjoyments.
Passage 19
युष्माकं परिचर्यायां नित्यमुत्कण्ठितोऽस्म्यहम्। जानेऽतिधन्यमात्मानमाज्ञापूर्विकयाऽमुया॥१९॥
“I perpetually long to serve sages like you. By receiving this command, I shall regard myself as exceedingly blessed.
Passage 20
इदं वः सुखदं स्थानं चित्रकूटगिरेस्तटे। संफुल्लबकुलाशोककदम्बतरुमण्डितम्॥२०॥
“This delightful place of yours on Mount Citrakūṭa's slope is adorned with flowering bakula, aśoka, and kadamba trees.
Passage 21
अत्र ते योगसिद्ध्यैव सुसिद्धाः सर्वसम्पदः। फलन्ति पादपा यत्र मनोऽभिलषितैः फलैः॥२१॥
“Here every prosperity has been perfected by your yogic attainment, and the trees bear whatever fruit the mind desires.
Passage 22
सर्वभोगानुकूलानां श्रीणां सपदि सम्भवे। नित्यमेवाप्रतिहता वाञ्छैव तव साधनम्॥२२॥
“Every form of wealth conducive to enjoyment appears at once; your unobstructed wish itself is always the means of accomplishment.
Passage 23
क ईष्टे भवतो योगसिद्धेस्तत्त्वं महामुने। वेत्तुं यत्र निमज्जन्ति सिद्धयो महतामपि॥२३॥
“Great sage, who is capable of comprehending the truth of your yogic attainment, in which even the powers of the great are submerged?” Atri's Request
Passage 24
अत्रिरुवाच— सर्वमेवोपपन्नं मे निरपेक्षस्य केवलम्। तपसः साधनं प्रार्थ्यं भवेऽनुपहतं तु यत्॥२४॥
Atri said: “Everything needed has come to me, for I remain independent and alone. I desire only what will allow my austerity to continue unobstructed in this world.
Passage 25
भवता वीरवर्येण प्रादुर्भूतेन भूतले। साधनीयं न वै किं किं सतां यदभिवाञ्छितम्॥२५॥
“Now that you, foremost of heroes, have appeared upon earth, what desire of the virtuous cannot be accomplished?
Passage 26
तपसि स्था द्विजाः सम्प्रत्युद्विजन्ते निशाचरैः। तेषां क्षये बद्धकक्षो भवाननुजसंयुतः॥२६॥
“Twice-born sages established in austerity are presently tormented by night-roamers. Together with your younger brother, you have girded yourself to destroy them.
Passage 27
यदर्थमवतीर्णोऽसि स्वशक्त्या त्वं समूर्जितः। प्रार्थनीयं तदस्माभिः स्वतः सम्भाविकं प्रभो॥२७॥
“Lord, the purpose for which you have descended, fully empowered by your own potency, will naturally be fulfilled and need not be requested by us.
Passage 28
यदन्यदप्यद्भुतमत्यलौकिकं चरित्रमानन्दकरं सदा नृणाम्। तदप्यजस्रं तनुषे यदृच्छया समस्तलोकान्तरसङ्गगोचरः॥२८॥
“You also freely and continually enact other wondrous, wholly transcendent deeds that forever give joy to people and become known throughout all the worlds.
Passage 29
यदतीव तु मे प्रार्थ्यं तच्छृणोतु सदा भवान्। नित्यं मन्मानसे राम निवासमुररीकुरु॥२९॥
“Please hear what I desire above all: Rāma, graciously accept eternal residence within my heart.
Passage 30
अप्यहं तीर्थराजस्य नित्यं दर्शनकामुकः। तत्र स्नानं करोम्युच्चैः प्रतिज्ञा मे सनातनी॥३०॥
“I also perpetually long to see the king of sacred waters. To bathe there is my enduring vow.
Passage 31
साम्प्रतं खलु वर्षीयान् गन्तुं नो पारयेऽन्यतः। आश्रमादहमित्येवं चिन्ता मे भूयसी हृदि॥३१॥
“Now, however, I am old and unable to travel away from this hermitage. This has become a great concern in my heart.
Passage 32
इहैव गङ्गां भुवनौघपाविनीं लभेय तन्मे मनसीश वाञ्छितम्। भवान् भवे पूरयितुं समर्थ इत्यजस्रमाशास्य भवामि निर्वृतः॥३२॥
“My heart desires to obtain here itself the Gaṅgā, purifier of the multitude of worlds. Knowing that you are able to fulfill this wish, Lord, I rest constantly in hope and peace.”
Passage 33
इति सम्प्रार्थितो रामः सूर्यवंशकुलाधिपः। प्रहस्य समुवाचेदं मनस्विजनशेखरः॥३३॥
Thus petitioned, Rāma, lord of the solar dynasty and crown of the high-minded, smiled and replied.
Passage 34
मनोमात्रेण योगीन्द्र भवान् शतसहस्रकम्। प्रयातीति न वै चित्रं तीर्थराजं प्रयासि यत्॥३४॥
“Lord of yogins, merely by thought you can travel hundreds of thousands of leagues. It is no wonder that you can reach the king of sacred waters.
Passage 35
तथापि स्वाश्रमस्थानं तीर्थमेतच्चिकीर्षसि। अतस्तवाज्ञया ब्रह्मन् गङ्गामत्र समानये॥३५॥
“Nevertheless, you wish to make your own hermitage a sacred ford. Therefore, by your command, Brahmin, I shall bring Gaṅgā here.” The Mandākinī Appears
Passage 36
इत्युक्तवति राजेन्द्रे ब्रह्मण्ये सत्यभाषिणि। चित्रकूटगिरेर्मध्यात्सद्यः प्रादुरभूत्सरित्॥३६॥
When the Brahmin-loving and truthful king spoke these words, a river immediately sprang from within Mount Citrakūṭa.
Passage 37
मन्दाकिनी व्योमगङ्गा तोयप्रवहवेगिनी। प्राजापत्यस्य वृद्धस्य मुनेः स्नानादिकर्मणि॥३७॥
It was the Mandākinī, the celestial Gaṅgā, rushing in a swift current of water to provide bathing and other rites for the aged Prajāpati sage.
Passage 38
आविर्भावं गतायां तु मन्दाकिन्यां सुधाम्भसि। तुष्टाव भगवानत्रिर्हर्षोत्कण्ठासमाकुलः॥३८॥
When the nectar-watered Mandākinī appeared, Lord Atri, overwhelmed by joy and eager love, offered praise.
Passage 39
स्तुवति ब्रह्मर्षिवरे प्राजापत्ये तपोनिधौ। साक्षाद्भगवती गङ्गा प्रादुरास जलान्तरात्॥३९॥
As the eminent Brahmarṣi, son of Prajāpati and treasure of austerity, praised her, the divine Gaṅgā herself emerged from within the water.
Passage 40
सुन्दरी चन्द्रतिलका सुधाशीतलविग्रहा। चन्द्रानना स्मितज्योत्स्नाविशदीकृतकानना॥४०॥
She was beautiful, marked with a moon-shaped tilaka, and possessed a form cool as nectar. Her face was like the moon, and the moonlight of her smile made her countenance shine.
Passage 41
चित्रकूटवने रम्ये द्योतयन्ती दिशो दश। सा पश्यति मुनौ रामं प्रोवाच विशदस्मिता॥४१॥
Illuminating the ten directions in Citrakūṭa's lovely forest, she looked upon the sage and Rāma and spoke with a radiant smile.
Passage 42
अहं तवाज्ञया प्राप्तास्म्युच्चैर्वैकुण्ठधामतः। ब्रह्मर्षेः प्रीणनायास्य साक्षात्सुतपसः प्रभो॥४२॥
“Lord, at your command I have come directly from the exalted realm of Vaikuṇṭha to please this Brahmarṣi of excellent austerity.
Passage 43
अयं हि बहुभिः कल्पैर्मामेवैकामनन्यधीः। उपासीनो भवत्यस्मिन् भुवने महतायुषा॥४३॥
“For many kalpas this long-lived sage has dwelt in this world worshiping me alone with an undivided mind.
Passage 44
अयं हि कोटियुगवित् कोट्यागमविशारदः। कोटिकल्पविदोजस्वी तपोमात्रैकविग्रहः॥४४॥
“He knows millions of ages, is expert in millions of scriptures, and has witnessed millions of kalpas. Radiant, he is austerity embodied.
Passage 45
स्नानाचमनकर्मभ्यो मुनेरस्य सुखप्रदा। सदा स्थास्याम्यहं शैले चित्रकूटे शुभे वने॥४५॥
“To grant this sage ease in bathing, sipping water, and his other rites, I shall always remain upon this mountain in Citrakūṭa's auspicious forest.
Passage 46
तीर्थभूतमिदं स्थानं त्रिजगद्वन्द्यमद्भुतम्। भविष्यति प्रसादेन तव योगीन्द्रराधित॥४६॥
“By your grace, O Lord worshiped by the lord of yogins, this place will become a wondrous sacred ford honored by the three worlds.
Passage 47
त्वमपीह सदा क्रीडन् स्वात्मशक्तिभिरुच्चकैः। इह तिष्ठ मयाभ्याशे पादपद्मैकभाजनः॥४७॥
“You too should remain here near me, always delighting openly with your own potencies, while this sage remains the exclusive recipient of your lotus feet.
Passage 48
त्रिषु लोकेषु विख्यातं स्थानमेतद्भविष्यति। मम चात्रेर्भगवतो नाम्ना च तव सन्ततम्॥४८॥
“This place will remain renowned throughout the three worlds by my name, by Lord Atri's name, and by yours.”
Passage 49
इत्युक्त्वा पश्यतस्तस्य योगीन्द्रस्य महात्मनः। जल एवाविशद्गङ्गा साक्षान्मन्दाकिनी तु या॥४९॥
Having spoken thus, while the great lord of yogins looked on, Gaṅgā herself—the Mandākinī—entered back into the water. इति श्रीमदादिरामायणे ब्रह्मभुशुण्डसंवादे दक्षिणखण्डे मन्दाकिनीप्रादुर्भावो नाम सप्तदशाधिकशततमोऽध्यायः॥ ११७ ॥ Thus ends Chapter 117, “The Manifestation of the Mandākinī,” in the Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa of the venerable Ādi Rāmāyaṇa, in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍi. --- Source Note - Source witness: Bhuśuṇḍi Rāmāyaṇa, Volume 2, Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa. - This chapter was collated directly from source leaves 427–430 (printed pages 400–403; physical PDF pages 428–431). - All 49 numbered passages are presented in order. Chapter 116 ends and Chapter 117 begins on physical PDF page 428; Chapter 117 ends and Chapter 118 begins on physical PDF page 431. - Obvious word spacing and sandhi have been normalized without changing the source vocabulary. The English is a fresh, direct translation prepared for this edition.