Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— इत्युक्त्वा जलधिः पत्नीमाविरास जलाद्बहिः। सोपायनः सपत्नीकः ससुहृज्जनबान्धवः॥१॥
Brahmā said: Having spoken thus to his wife, the ocean appeared outside the waters, bearing gifts and accompanied by his wives, friends, relatives, and attendants.
Passage 2
महातरङ्गदोर्दण्डः पृथुवक्षा महाशिराः। महामीनस्फुरच्चक्षुर्मौक्तिकाभरणश्रवाः॥२॥
Great waves formed his massive arms; his chest was broad and his head immense. Great fish flashed as his eyes, and pearls adorned his ears.
Passage 3
आवर्तविस्फुरन्नाभिर्लहरीत्रिवलीधरः। महाशैलनितम्बस्पृङ्नदीस्रोतःसिताम्बरः॥३॥
A swirling eddy shone as his navel, rows of waves formed the folds at his waist, great mountains rose as his hips, and river currents made his white garment.
Passage 4
मुक्ताहारलताधारी महारत्नौघभूषणः। प्रवालविटपभ्राजत्कराङ्गुलिमनोहरः॥४॥
He wore long garlands of pearls and ornaments made from masses of great jewels; coral branches shone beautifully as his fingers.
Passage 5
माणिक्यनखरद्योतरोचमानकराङ्घ्रिकः। रत्नानामाकरत्वेन रत्नान्युपनयन् भृशम्॥५॥
Ruby nails illuminated his hands and feet. As the mine of jewels, he brought abundant gems as offerings.
Passage 6
महाम्बुनिवहास्तस्य बभूवाग्रेसरः सरन्। तमन्वगुर्महानद्यो महास्रोतस उत्वराः॥६॥
A vast moving mass of water went before him, while great rivers with mighty currents followed swiftly behind.
Passage 7
चालयन् पयसां स्तोमं पादन्यासैर्मुहुर्मुहुः। महामकरसंदोहैः पुरः पश्चाच्च संयुतः॥७॥
Each repeated step stirred the mass of waters, and hosts of great makaras accompanied him before and behind.
Passage 8
तमायान्तमसौ वीक्ष्य रामः कारुणिकेश्वरः। तत्क्षणादुपसंजह्रे बाणं शोषणमम्भसाम्॥८॥
Seeing him approach, Rāma, compassionate Lord, immediately withdrew the arrow that was drying the waters.
Passage 9
स दण्डवत् स्पृशन् भूमिमाययौ सरितां पतिः। निवारयन्ननुचरानेकाकी श्रीपतेः पुरः॥९॥
The lord of rivers approached, touching the ground in full prostration. Holding back his attendants, he came alone before Śrī's Lord.
Passage 10
अन्वाययुस्तं तत्पत्न्यः सरितो याः सहस्रशः। बद्धाञ्जलिपुटाः सौम्या दिदृक्षन्त्यो रघूद्वहम्॥१०॥
His wives—the gentle rivers in their thousands—followed him with joined palms, eager to behold the scion of Raghu.
Passage 11
पूर्वं जलघटाभारः प्रादुरासीत्समन्ततः। अभ्रंकरोर्मिसंदोहचालितानेकभूधरः॥११॥
Before them appeared a vast burden of water on every side, with cloud-touching masses of waves that moved many mountains.
Passage 12
महानदीनां बहवो वारिपूरास्तदग्रतः। आयान्तीनां प्रादुरासुः कल्पान्त इव भीषणाः॥१२॥
Many floods from the approaching great rivers appeared before him, terrifying like the waters at the end of an age.
Passage 13
शमं गतेषु परितः पयःपूरेषु भूरिषु। उदस्थात्पयसां नाथः स्वगुणैरुपलक्षितः॥१३॥
When the abundant floods on every side had grown calm, the lord of waters stood revealed, recognizable by his attributes.
Passage 14
सम्भावयन् प्रणतिभिः श्रीमन्तं रघुपुङ्गवम्। उपाजगाम कपिभिः समुद्रोऽयमितीक्षितः॥१४॥
Honoring glorious Rāma with repeated bows, he approached the noblest Rāghava, while the monkeys looked on and said, “This is the ocean.”
Passage 15
तमागतं नदीनाथमभ्युत्तस्थौ रघूद्वहः। कुलवृद्धोऽयमस्माकमिति सादरमानसः॥१५॥
When the lord of rivers arrived, Rāma rose respectfully, thinking, “He is an ancient elder of our lineage.”
Passage 16
स आलिलिङ्ग बाहुभ्यां शीतलं पयसां निधिम्। आसने स्थापयामास स्वयं चोपविवेश ह॥१६॥
He embraced the cool ocean with both arms, seated him upon a throne, and then sat down himself.
Passage 17
सानुजं सपरिवारं नत्वा नत्वा नदीपतिः। ददावुपायनत्वेन रत्नभाराननेकशः॥१७॥
The lord of rivers repeatedly bowed to Rāma, his younger brother, and their retinue, and offered many loads of jewels as gifts. The Ocean Praises Rāma
Passage 18
उवाच राघवेन्द्रं स स्पष्टान्तःकरणं विभुम्। शोषणायोद्यतं स्वस्य शान्तिं नेतुं च सामभिः॥१८॥
With a transparent heart, he addressed mighty Rāma, seeking through conciliatory words to calm the Lord who had set out to dry him up.
Passage 19
क्षमस्व जगतामीश यन्न त्वं विदितो मया। तदज्ञानवशादेव मर्त्यलीलामुपाश्रित॥१९॥
“Lord of the worlds, forgive me for failing to recognize you. That happened only through ignorance, for you have assumed the play of a mortal.
Passage 20
विदितोऽस्यधुना राम साक्षात्परात्परः स्वयम्। भूभारहरणाय त्वं भूतले समवातरः॥२०॥
“Now I know you, Rāma, as the very Lord beyond the supreme, descended to earth to remove its burden.
Passage 21
अलंकृतं रघुकुलं त्वया सद्गुणराशिना। सुखं च जनितं भूरि श्रुतिदेवद्विजन्मनाम्॥२१॥
“You, the treasury of noble qualities, have adorned Raghu's line and brought abundant happiness to the Vedas, gods, and twice-born.
Passage 22
साक्षाद्ब्रह्मण्य देवस्त्वं धर्मो येनाभिरक्षितः। रक्षोभिर्नाशिता यज्ञाः पुनरेव प्रवर्तिताः॥२२॥
“You are directly the God devoted to sacred truth, by whom dharma is protected and sacrifices destroyed by rākṣasas are made to flourish again.
Passage 23
कस्त्वां जानातु लोकेऽस्मिन् जीवधर्ममुपाश्रितः। निगमत्रयसंगीतलोकातीतगुणालयम्॥२३॥
“Who in this world, bound by the condition of an individual soul, can know you—the abode of transcendent qualities celebrated by the three Vedas?
Passage 24
शेषाद्या अपि वागीश न त्वां सम्यग्विदन्ति यत्। तदहं कोऽल्पविज्ञानः स्वरूपाकलने तव॥२४॥
“Lord of speech, even Śeṣa and the others do not fully know you. Who, then, am I with my little understanding to comprehend your true nature?
Passage 25
जय विश्वेश विश्वात्मन् विश्वसृष्ट्यन्तकारक। विश्वाधार गुणाधीश विश्ववन्द्याङ्घ्रिपङ्कज॥२५॥
“Victory to you, Lord and Self of the universe, creator and dissolver of the universe, its foundation and lord of all qualities, whose lotus feet the universe worships.
Passage 26
यदि त्वं न सीतानाथ स्वरूपं गोपयेर्भुवि। लोकोत्तररसालेयं तर्हि लीला न सिद्ध्यति॥२६॥
“Sītā's Lord, if you did not conceal your true nature on earth, this play, a treasury of transcendent rasa, could not be accomplished.
Passage 27
प्रकृतिं स्वामवष्टभ्य निर्गुणोऽखिलगुणाश्रयः। विश्वसर्गविसर्गादेस्त्वं क्रीडसि जगद्गुरुः॥२७॥
“Though beyond qualities and the support of every quality, you master your own nature and play as the world's teacher through creation, dissolution, and the rest.
Passage 28
इच्छयैवाखिलं कर्तुं शक्नोषि यदपि प्रभो। अनुग्रहाय भक्तानां तदपि प्रकटोऽभवः॥२८॥
“Lord, although your will alone can accomplish everything, you have still manifested yourself to bestow grace upon your devotees.
Passage 29
निर्मञ्छनाय ते राम रत्नान्येतान्युपानयम्। गृहाण करुणासिन्धो मयि वर्ष कृपामृतम्॥२९॥
“Rāma, I bring these jewels as a ceremonial offering before you. Ocean of compassion, accept them and shower the nectar of grace upon me.
Passage 30
निवेदितोऽयमात्मा ते मया बाणेन शुष्यता। स्वकीय इति विज्ञाय रक्षिष्यति यतो भवान्॥३०॥
“As your arrow dried me, I offered this self to you, knowing that you protect whatever you recognize as your own.
Passage 31
त्वत्कार्यं च त्वदीयं च सर्वमेव जगत्पते। त्वदीय एवार्पयिता गृह्णासि तदपीश यत्॥३१॥
“Lord of the world, everything is your work and belongs to you. The one who offers is yours, and even what you accept is yours.
Passage 32
तदाजवं तवैवैतज्जगत्पत्यद्भुतं हरे। येन भक्त इति ख्यातिं प्रयान्ति मनुजा भवे॥३२॥
“This wondrous simplicity belongs to you alone, Lord of the world: through it, human beings in this existence attain renown as your devotees.
Passage 33
नमामि जगतां नाथ श्रुतिगोद्विजरक्षकम्। अप्रमेयगुणारामं राम त्वां पुरुषोत्तमम्॥३३॥
“I bow to you, Rāma, supreme Person and Lord of the worlds, protector of the Vedas, cows, and twice-born, and abode of immeasurable virtues.
Passage 34
क्षमयामि मुहुः स्वामिन्नपराधमहं मम। निजमैश्वर्यमालम्ब्य भक्तेषु त्वं दयां कुरु॥३४॥
“Master, again and again I ask forgiveness for my offense. Abiding in your own sovereign power, show mercy to your devotees.” Rāma Requests a Path
Passage 35
इति स्तुतिवचोभिः स सान्त्वितो वारिराशिना। ईषद्विहस्य भगवानुवाच रघुवल्लभः॥३५॥
Thus conciliated by the ocean's words of praise, Lord Rāma smiled slightly and spoke.
Passage 36
चिरमाराधितः सिन्धो भवान् मार्गाभिलब्धये। मया सपरिवारेण हृदा तदपि ना द्रवः॥३६॥
“Ocean, my companions and I worshiped you sincerely for a long time to obtain a path, yet your heart did not soften.
Passage 37
ततः संक्षुब्धमनसा नान्योपायवता मया। शोषणाय तवाम्भोधे प्रयुक्तो विशिखानलः॥३७॥
“Therefore, with my mind agitated and no other means available, I directed the arrow-fire to dry you up.
Passage 38
इदानीं देहि मे मार्गं लङ्कामभियियासतः। उपसंहृतोऽपि बाणाग्निर्नो चेत्पुनरुदेष्यति॥३८॥
“Now grant me a path, for I wish to reach Laṅkā. Though withdrawn, the arrow-fire will rise again if you do not.
Passage 39
किं करोमि नदीनाथ हार्य एव मया रिपुः। अभिगम्यैव लङ्का च शोष्य एव त्वमन्तरा॥३९॥
“What can I do, lord of rivers? I must defeat my enemy and reach Laṅkā; if you stand between us, I must dry you up.”
Passage 40
इत्युक्तो रघुवीरेण कम्पितः पयसां पतिः। सान्त्वयन् पुनराहेदं शोषभीत्या भृशाकुलः॥४०॥
Addressed thus by Rāma, the lord of waters trembled. Deeply agitated by fear of being dried up, he again spoke conciliating words.
Passage 41
अत्यर्थमनुपायोऽयं लङ्कागमनवर्त्मनि। यन्मां शोषयसि प्राज्ञ विशिखेनानिवर्तिना॥४१॥
“Wise Lord, drying me with an irresistible arrow is entirely unsuited as a road for reaching Laṅkā.
Passage 42
यतः शुष्कोऽप्यहं स्वामिन्नापातालतलावधिः। अपथायैव भवतो भवितास्मि न संशयः॥४२॥
“Master, even when dry I extend down to Pātāla; I would certainly remain impassable to you.
Passage 43
उपायान्तरमेवात्र प्रभो सम्यग्विधीयताम्। उत्तरेयुरनायासं कपयो येन तावकाः॥४३॥
“Lord, therefore employ another proper means by which your monkeys may cross without difficulty.
Passage 44
बहुलायामिभिः शैलैरपि सेतुर्विरच्यताम्। विधिदृष्ट उपायोऽयं तव लङ्कां यियासितः॥४४॥
“Build a bridge from broad and massive mountains. This is the divinely ordained means for your journey to Laṅkā.
Passage 45
आनेष्यन्ति गिरीनत्र कपयोऽमी महाभुजाः। सुग्रीवहनुमन्मुख्या नलनीलाङ्गदादयः॥४५॥
“These mighty-armed monkeys—Sugrīva, Hanumān, Nala, Nīla, Aṅgada, and the others—will bring mountains here.
Passage 46
अयं ते मार्ग उद्दिष्टो लङ्कामभियियासतः। नास्त्युपायशतेनापि सैन्यस्योत्तरणं तव॥४६॥
“This is the path appointed for your journey to Laṅkā. Even a hundred other methods could not carry your army across.”
Passage 47
सिन्धुनोदीरितं यत्नमनुमेने रघूद्वहः। तथैव कपयः सर्वे साधु साध्वित्यपूजयन्॥४७॥
Rāma approved the ocean's proposed undertaking, and all the monkeys likewise applauded it, exclaiming, “Excellent! Excellent!”
Passage 48
इति रघुपतिमब्धिः सम्प्रदर्श्याभ्युपायं दशवदननगर्याः प्राप्तये मार्गलब्धौ। चिरमथ कपिवर्यैर्विस्मितैर्वीक्षमाणो निजभवनमगच्छत्प्राप्तभूरिप्रमोदः॥४८॥
Having thus shown Rāma the means of obtaining a road to the ten-headed king's city, the ocean remained for a while under the astonished gaze of the foremost monkeys, then returned to his home filled with immense joy.