Passage 1
लक्ष्मण उवाच— लब्धशापो निववृते रावणः स्वपुरीं गतः। त्रैलोक्यराज्यसम्मत्तो भुजवीर्यबलोन्मदः॥१॥
Lakṣmaṇa said: “Having received Nandī's curse, Rāvaṇa returned to his own city, intoxicated by sovereignty over the three worlds and maddened by the strength and valor of his arms.
Passage 2
कदाचित्तस्य वै दूतौ दुष्टौ सुमुखदुर्मुखौ। अपश्यतां सिन्धुतीरे तपस्यन्तीं सुलोचनाम्॥२॥
“One day his two wicked messengers, Sumukha and Durmukha, saw a beautiful-eyed woman practicing austerity on the shore of the ocean.
Passage 3
तडित्काञ्चनगौराङ्गीमीषद्धासविराजिताम्। रोचयन्तीं दिशश्चाष्टौ गौरीमिव रमामिव॥३॥
“Her fair body shone like lightning upon gold, and a gentle smile adorned her. She illuminated the eight directions like Gaurī or Ramā.
Passage 4
चन्द्राननां सुनासाढ्यां भालभाग्यविभूषिताम्। साक्षात्कालभुजङ्गीव वहन्तीं वेणिकां पराम्॥४॥
“Her face was the moon, her nose beautifully formed, and her fortunate brow adorned. Her long braid seemed like the very serpent of Time.
Passage 5
हेमकुम्भस्तनीं देवीं कमलाधिकसौरभाम्। गम्भीरकूपान्तरनाभिं निम्नरोमावलीरुताम्॥५॥
“The goddess's breasts resembled golden jars, and her fragrance surpassed the lotus. Her navel was deep as a well, with a fine descending line of hair.
Passage 6
वलित्रयतरङ्गाढ्यामद्भुतां सरसीमिव। गण्डयोर्मुकुराकारां बाह्वोः कल्लोलबिसोपमाम्॥६॥
“The three folds at her waist were like ripples upon a wondrous lake. Her cheeks were mirrors, and her arms resembled graceful lotus stalks.
Passage 7
ऊर्वोश्च हेमकदलीं पदयोः पद्मकोमलाम्। नखेषु चन्द्रकलिकामङ्गुलीषु प्रवालभाम्॥७॥
“Her thighs were golden plantain trunks and her feet softer than lotuses. Crescent moons shone in her nails and coral radiance in her fingers.
Passage 8
सर्वावयवशोभाढ्यां विलसन्तीं शुभैर्गुणैः। तौ वीक्ष्य रावणायाशु आचख्यातुरनन्तरम्॥८॥
“Seeing her resplendent in every limb and radiant with auspicious qualities, the two messengers hurried to report her to Rāvaṇa.
Passage 9
दूतावूचतुः— प्रभो काचन देवी वा राक्षसी मानुषी च वा। गान्धर्वी नागकन्या वा हौली वा वनदेवता॥९॥
The messengers said: “‘Lord, some being—perhaps a goddess, Rākṣasī, human woman, Gandharvī, Nāga maiden, Houlī, or forest deity—
Passage 10
सागरस्य सुता वापि सिन्धुद्वीपे तपस्यति। न तस्यास्तुलया काचिद्दृष्टा वापि श्रुताभवे॥१०॥
“‘Or perhaps a daughter of the ocean, is practicing austerity on an island in the sea. Never has anyone equal to her been seen or heard of in the world.
Passage 11
सर्वोपमा सुरूपाङ्गी सर्वावयवसुन्दरी। सर्वसौन्दर्यपाथोधिवाङ्मनोगोचरप्रभा॥११॥
“‘Every comparison belongs to her shapely form, and each of her limbs is beautiful. Her radiance is an ocean of all beauty, beyond speech and thought.
Passage 12
सहस्रचन्द्रज्योत्स्नेव तस्या वदनचन्द्रिका। कोटिरत्नप्रभातुल्या तस्याः पादनखच्छविः॥१२॥
“‘The moonlight of her face equals the brilliance of a thousand moons, and the gleam of her toenails equals the light of ten million jewels.
Passage 13
कोटिनक्षत्रमालेव तस्याः सर्वाङ्गगा छविः। विभाति चञ्चलापाङ्गी तपस्यन्त्यपि सागरे॥१३॥
“‘The radiance pervading all her limbs resembles a garland of ten million stars. Though practicing austerity in the ocean, her sidelong glance plays restlessly.
Passage 14
नैतद्रूपं विजानीमः किमिच्छन्ती तपस्यति। प्रायो नास्याः समः कश्चित्त्रिषु लोकेषु वै वरः॥१४॥
“‘We do not know her true nature or what she desires from this austerity. There is surely no bridegroom equal to her in the three worlds.
Passage 15
ब्रह्मा द्विजो वराकश्च कर्मकाण्डपरश्च सः। विष्णुर्वैराग्यशाली च ज्ञानी जगति निःस्पृहः॥१५॥
“‘Brahmā is merely a poor Brahmin absorbed in ritual action, while Viṣṇu is a dispassionate knower without worldly desire.
Passage 16
रुद्रः श्मशानचारी च तपस्वी भस्मधूसरः। भूतसङ्गी त्रिनेत्रश्च जटी प्रकृतिभीषणः॥१६॥
“‘Rudra wanders in cremation grounds, an ascetic grey with ash, keeping company with spirits. Three-eyed and matted-haired, he is frightening by nature.
Passage 17
अन्ये वराकाः किं देवास्त्वद्योग्या केवलं हि सा। त्वयैव गृह्यतां नाथ पाणिग्रहविधानतः॥१७॥
“‘What need is there to mention the other wretched gods? She alone is worthy of you. Lord, take her in marriage.
Passage 18
योषिद्रत्नं वरं दिव्यं न त्वया संत्यज्यतां प्रभो। इत्युक्तो रावणस्ताभ्यां प्राप तत्र स्मरोद्धुरः॥१८॥
“‘Do not abandon this supreme and divine jewel among women.’ Urged by the two, Rāvaṇa went there, violently agitated by desire.
Passage 19
यत्र सा सुन्दरी देवी सिन्धुमध्ये तपस्यति। तद्रूपदर्शनाद्भूतस्मरनाराचपीडितः। तामादातुं यतितवानतिदुर्धर्षविग्रहाम्॥१९॥
“There the beautiful goddess practiced austerity amid the ocean. Struck by Love's wondrous arrows when he saw her form, Rāvaṇa tried to seize the invincible woman. Lakṣmī Rejects Rāvaṇa
Passage 20
रावण उवाच— का त्वं तपस्यसे सुभ्रु किमर्थं च वरानने। कश्च ते जनकः ख्यातः किमर्थं भजसे न माम्॥२०॥
Rāvaṇa said: “‘Beautiful-browed and lovely-faced woman, who are you and why do you practice austerity? Who is your renowned father, and why do you not choose me?
Passage 21
त्वादृशी सुन्दरी देवि मम शोभिष्यसे गृहे। अहं त्रैलोक्यनाथोऽस्मि लङ्काया अधिपः स्फुटम्॥२१॥
“‘A beautiful woman such as you will shine in my house, goddess. I am lord of the three worlds and indisputably sovereign of Laṅkā.
Passage 22
त्वामहं हि ग्रहीष्यामि पाणिग्रहणलीलया। कोऽन्यो मयि स्थिते भूमौ भविता च पतिस्तव। इत्युक्ता तेन सा क्रुद्धा सक्रोधमिदमब्रवीत्॥२२॥
“‘I shall take you through the rite of marriage. While I remain on earth, who else could become your husband?’ Addressed in this way, she grew angry and replied wrathfully.
Passage 23
लक्ष्म्युवाच— स्वयं लक्ष्मीरहं तावत्तपस्यामि गरीयसे। वराय विष्णवे सर्वत्रैलोक्यस्थितिहेतवे॥२३॥
Lakṣmī said: “‘I am Lakṣmī herself. I practice austerity for the exalted bridegroom Viṣṇu, the cause of the three worlds' preservation.
Passage 24
न हि तस्मात्परो भावः श्रुतो दृष्टोऽथवा क्वचित्। त्रिजगज्जनितं तस्मात् पाल्यते तेन लीलया॥२४॥
“‘No being higher than him has ever been heard of or seen. The three worlds born from him are protected by him in play.
Passage 25
तेनैव ह्रियते भूयः स्वच्छन्दनिजकेलिना। न तत्समश्चाभ्यधिकस्त्रिषु लोकेषु विद्यते॥२५॥
“‘Through his own free play they are again withdrawn by him. No one equal to or greater than him exists in the three worlds.
Passage 26
स्वयं स भगवान् साक्षात् पूर्णः स्वगुणमङ्गलः। कल्याणरूपो भक्तानामभक्तानां निषूदनः॥२६॥
“‘He is directly the blessed Lord himself, complete and auspicious in his own qualities. He is the form of blessedness for devotees and the destroyer of the faithless.
Passage 27
असुराणां दानवानां दैत्यानां च निषूदनः। विश्वाधारोऽतिगम्भीरो समुद्रश्च पिता मम॥२७॥
“‘He destroys Asuras, Dānavas, and Daityas and is the unfathomable foundation of the universe. The ocean is my father.
Passage 28
योऽसौ तव पुरीरक्षां करोति परिखायतः। त्वं चासुरो नीचबुद्धिः प्रकृत्या राक्षसः खरः॥२८॥
“‘That same ocean guards your city in the form of its moat. You are a base-minded demon, by nature a savage Rākṣasa.
Passage 29
तत्रापि विमुखो विष्णोर्वेदब्राह्मणलोपकः। क्व तत्र गण्यसे यत्र ब्रह्माद्या अप्यनादृताः॥२९॥
“‘Moreover, you are turned away from Viṣṇu and destroy the Vedas and Brahmins. How could you be of any account beside the Lord before whom even Brahmā and the other gods are insignificant?
Passage 30
मा मेवं संस्पृश रिपो भावदुष्टेन पाणिना। इत्युक्तो रावणः क्रुद्धः प्रत्युवाच समुद्रजाम्॥३०॥
“‘Enemy, do not touch me with a hand corrupted by evil intent.’ Thus addressed, the enraged Rāvaṇa answered the ocean's daughter.
Passage 31
अये भ्रान्ताशये नूनं केन त्वमसि वञ्चिता। त्रैलोक्येशमनादृत्य दीनं स्पृहयसे वरम्॥३१॥
Rāvaṇa said: “‘Deluded woman, who has deceived you? Disregarding the lord of the three worlds, you desire a wretched bridegroom.
Passage 32
एवं चेत्तर्हि सुमुखि मद्देशे किं तपस्यसि। आब्रह्मस्तम्बपर्यन्तं जगन्मम वशानुगम्॥३२॥
“‘If that is so, fair-faced woman, why do you practice austerity in my domain? From Brahmā down to a blade of grass, the world obeys my command.
Passage 33
यदि त्वमेका न वृणे तर्हि शोच्यासि सम्प्रति। त्वां बलेनैव नेष्यामि रुदन्तीं स्वात्मदोषतः॥३३॥
“‘If you alone refuse to choose me, you are now to be pitied. I shall take you by force, and you will weep because of your own fault.
Passage 34
स्त्रीणां खलु दृढो दोषः पुरुषेण निवार्यते। ततस्तमाह सा देवी निःश्वसन्ती रुषारुणा॥३४॥
“‘A woman's obstinacy must indeed be corrected by a man.’ The goddess sighed; red with anger, she answered him.
Passage 35
दुष्ट त्वं मां तपस्यन्तीं निवारयसि किं वृथा। कुतो न वारयसि तान् सप्तर्षीन् हि तपस्यतः॥३५॥
Lakṣmī said: “‘Wretch, why do you vainly obstruct me while I practice austerity? Why do you not obstruct the seven sages in their austerities?
Passage 36
ये त्वां दहेयुः सहसा धर्मकर्मैकलोपिनम्। किं चाप्यजनिता कश्चित्तव प्राणनिषूदनः॥३६॥
“‘They would burn you instantly, destroyer of all righteous action. Besides, the one who will end your life has not yet been born.
Passage 37
स एव भविता देवो मम लोकोत्तरो वरः। मा ज्वालीर्गुरुगर्वेण तामसेनान्ध तामस॥३७॥
“‘That very Lord will be my bridegroom beyond this world. Blind and dark-natured creature, do not blaze with such immense and tamasic pride.
Passage 38
इत्युक्त्वा वचनं देवी तिरोभूता तदग्रतः। प्रमोदविपिने रम्ये प्रादुर्भावं तदाकरोत्॥३८॥
“Having spoken, the goddess vanished before him and manifested in the lovely Pramodā Forest. The Birth of Ānandinī and the Women of Vraja
Passage 39
आनन्दिनी नन्दनाख्यगोपराजस्य वै गृहे। राजिका गोपमहिषी गर्भरत्नमहोदया॥३९॥
“She became Ānandinī in the home of the cowherd king named Nandana. His queen Rājikā became gloriously pregnant with that jewel.
Passage 40
माघे मासि सिते पक्षे पञ्चम्यां शुभवासरे। अश्विनीशुभनक्षत्रे शुभयोगे शुभोदये॥४०॥
“Her auspicious birth came on the fifth lunar day of the bright fortnight of Māgha, under the favorable Aśvinī constellation, in an auspicious conjunction and at an auspicious dawn.
Passage 41
ततः प्रसन्नमखिलं जगदासीत् समन्ततः। रावणारिपराभूताः सुराश्चासन् सुनिर्वृताः॥४१॥
“The entire world then became serene on every side, and the gods whom their enemy Rāvaṇa had overcome found deep relief.
Passage 42
ववृषुः पुष्पवर्षाणि जगुर्गन्धर्वनायकाः। देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुर्ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः॥४२॥
“Showers of flowers fell, the chiefs of the Gandharvas sang, celestial drums resounded, and hosts of Apsarases danced.
Passage 43
तदाधिदैविकः कालः प्रादुर्भावितवान् गुणान्। विकासं लेभिरे सद्यो लतास्तरव एव च॥४३॥
“The divine powers governing that moment manifested their virtues, and creepers and trees burst immediately into bloom.
Passage 44
सरांस्युत्फुल्लपद्मानि सुगन्धिसलिलानि च। दिदीपिरेऽग्नयश्चैव यज्ञशालासु दक्षिणम्॥४४॥
“The lakes filled with open lotuses and fragrant water, while the fires in the sacrificial halls blazed auspiciously.
Passage 45
ववुः सुगन्धयो वाताः सरयूवीचिशीतलाः। एवं जगत्प्रमोदाय तज्जन्मदिवसोऽभवत्॥४५॥
“Fragrant breezes blew, cooled by the Sarayū's waves. Thus her birthday brought delight to the world.
Passage 46
नन्दनस्य गृहे साक्षात्स्वयं लक्ष्मीर्यदाभवत्। तदा समृद्धिरभवद्गोकुले रम्यसम्पदि॥४६॥
“When Lakṣmī herself appeared in Nandana's house, prosperity arose throughout beautiful and richly endowed Gokula.
Passage 47
व्रजः सर्वश्रिया युक्तः सर्वसम्पत्समृद्धिमान्। माङ्गल्यैः सुखितैश्चापि भाविमाङ्गल्यसूचकः॥४७॥
“Vraja possessed every splendor and overflowed with every wealth. Its auspicious and joyful signs foretold the blessedness yet to come.
Passage 48
सा संजाता व्रजे स्वांशैर्व्रजवल्लीभिरनेकधा। उभयोस्तीरयोर्ग्रामेष्वाभीराणां गृहे गृहे॥४८॥
“Through her own portions she was born throughout Vraja in many forms as its flowering women—in the villages on both riverbanks and in every cowherd home.
Passage 49
गोप्यः कमलपत्राक्ष्य ऊढाश्चैवापि कन्यकाः। रामलीलाविनोदार्थं देवानां च तथाङ्गनाः॥४९॥
“These lotus-eyed gopīs, both married women and maidens, together with the wives of the gods, appeared for the joyful play of Rāma's līlā.”