Passage 1
लक्ष्मण उवाच— ततः सुनयना देवी सम्प्राप्य नृपतेः करात्। कन्यारत्नं प्रमुदिता बभूव महिषीवरा॥१॥
Lakṣmaṇa said: “Queen Sunayanā received the jewel among maidens from the king's hand, and the excellent queen rejoiced.
Passage 2
ततस्ताः सहजासख्यः सहर्षाः सरितो नव। ऊचुर्जनकराजानं सीतासङ्गमलालसाः॥२॥
“Then the nine joyful rivers, Sahajā's companions and eager always to remain with Sītā, addressed King Janaka.
Passage 3
त्रियुगोवाच— अहमस्याः सखी नित्यं निवसामि च सन्निधौ। अस्याः पिता त्वं संवृत्तो ममापि च तथैव हि॥३॥
Triyugā said: “‘I am her eternal companion and always dwell near her. Since you have become her father, become mine as well.’
Passage 4
कमलेश्युवाच— अहं मन्दरशैलस्य कन्या या कमलेश्वरी। सहजाया नित्यसखी प्रादुर्भूता सहानया। यथास्याः साम्प्रतं तद्वन्ममापि त्वं पिता भव॥४॥
Kamaleśī said: “‘I am Kamaleśvarī, daughter of Mount Mandara and Sahajā's eternal friend, manifested together with her. Just as you are now her father, become mine too.’
Passage 5
गण्डक्युवाच— शालिग्रामशिलाक्षेत्रे गण्डक्यस्मि महानदी। सहजायाः सखी तेन ममापि त्वं पिता नृप॥५॥
Gaṇḍakī said: “‘I am the great river Gaṇḍakī in the sacred region of the Śālagrāma stones. I am Sahajā's companion, so, King, become my father also.’
Passage 6
अघवारिण्युवाच— अहमस्याः सखी काचिदघवाराभिधा सरित्। तव कन्याहमधुना मत्सखी सहजा पितः॥६॥
Aghavāriṇī said: “‘I am one of her companions, the river named Aghavārā. Father, Sahajā is my friend; therefore I too am now your daughter.’
Passage 7
द्युम्नोवाच— अहं द्युम्ना नदी तात सहजायाः परा सखी। यथा त्वमस्या जनको ममापि जनको भव॥७॥
Dyumnā said: “‘Dear father, I am the river Dyumnā, Sahajā's intimate companion. As you are her father, become mine as well.’
Passage 8
घोषवत्युवाच— अहं तपनशैलस्य सुता घोषवती नदी। सहजायाः सखी तेन ममापि त्वं पिता भव॥८॥
Ghoṣavatī said: “‘I am the river Ghoṣavatī, daughter of Mount Tapana. Because I am Sahajā's companion, become my father too.’
Passage 9
वनघोषोवाच— अहमुत्तरशैलस्य तनया वनघोषिणी। एतस्यास्तु पिता तद्वन्ममापि त्वं पिता भव॥९॥
Vanaghoṣā said: “‘I am Vanaghoṣiṇī, daughter of the northern mountain. As you are this goddess's father, become my father in the same way.’
Passage 10
स्वयं लक्ष्मीरुवाच— अहं सीतांशभूतास्मि सदा सन्निधिवर्तिनी। आवयोरविदितः स्वामी श्रीरामो रघुकुलप्रियः॥१०॥
Lakṣmī herself said: “‘I am a portion of Sītā and always remain near her. Our one Lord, Śrī Rāma, beloved of Raghu's dynasty, knows no distinction between us.
Passage 11
तदाज्ञया भूतलेऽस्मिन्नवतीर्णे निवेदय। यथा त्वं जनकश्चास्या ममापि च तथा भव॥११॥
“‘At his command I have descended to this earth. I ask you: just as you are her father, become mine also.’
Passage 12
कौशिक्युवाच— अहं कुशिकराजस्य तनया कौशिकीति सा। अवतीर्णानया साकं ममापि त्वं पिता भव॥१२॥
Kauśikī said: “‘I am Kauśikī, daughter of King Kuśika. I have descended together with her; become my father also.’ Janaka Asks How They Attained Śrī's Companionship
Passage 13
जनक उवाच— कदा वः सङ्गमो जातो राघवप्रियमानया। क्व च वः प्रेमसंवृद्धं भवतीनां पणो यतः॥१३॥
Janaka said: “‘When did you first join this beloved of Rāghava? Where did your love grow, and what vow binds all of you to her?
Passage 14
एकत्रैव निवासोऽभूद्विश्लेषो न कदाचन। किं कृतं सुकृतं चापि येन श्रीसख्यमीदृशम्॥१४॥
“‘Have you always lived together without separation? What meritorious deed did you perform to gain such companionship with Śrī?
Passage 15
श्रीर्नाम ब्रह्मणो धर्मः परस्यानन्दविग्रहः। ब्रह्मानन्दस्वरूपेयं क्व प्राप्या प्राकृतैर्जनैः॥१५॥
“‘Śrī is the inherent power of the supreme Brahman, an embodiment of bliss. How could ordinary beings attain one whose very nature is the bliss of Brahman?
Passage 16
यथा रामस्तथैवेयमित्याह धरणी च माम्। इत्युक्ता जनकेनैताः सरितो नव शीतलाः। ऊचुर्जनकराजाय कथानकमनुत्तमम्॥१६॥
“‘Earth told me that she is precisely what Rāma is.’ Thus questioned by Janaka, the nine cool rivers told the king this incomparable account. Triyugā Begins Her Former-Life Account
Passage 17
त्रियुगोवाच— पितॄणां मानसी कन्या मेनाया अग्रजास्म्यहम्। मेना हिमाद्रिं चकमे जाताहं च तपस्विनी॥१७॥
Triyugā said: “‘I was a mind-born daughter of the ancestral Fathers and the elder sister of Menā. Menā chose Himālaya, while I became an ascetic.
Passage 18
वर्षवातातपक्लेशसहा मुनिषु मानिनी। कायक्लेशं प्रकुर्वाणा चचार परमं तपः॥१८॥
“‘Honored among sages, I endured the pain of rain, wind, and blazing heat. Afflicting my body, I practiced supreme austerity.
Passage 19
मदुग्रतपसा राजन् सर्वे देवाश्चकम्पिरे। त्रैलोक्यं तापितमभूत्ततो ब्रह्मा समागतः॥१९॥
“‘King, all the gods trembled at my fierce austerity, which heated the three worlds. Brahmā then came to me.
Passage 20
ब्रह्मोवाच— किमर्थमित्थं चार्वङ्गि चरसे दुस्तरं तपः। ब्राह्मं वाप्यैन्द्रमथवा पदं कामयसे किमु॥२०॥
Brahmā said: “‘Lovely-limbed maiden, why do you undertake such difficult austerity? Do you desire Brahmā's station, Indra's station, or some other rank?’
Passage 21
तदहं ब्रह्मणो वाक्यं श्रुत्वा प्रोन्मीलितेक्षणा। उक्तवत्युत्तरं राजन् यथा ब्रह्मा प्रसादितः॥२१॥
Triyugā continued: “‘Hearing Brahmā's words, I opened my eyes and gave an answer that pleased him.
Passage 22
नाहं ब्राह्मं तथैवेन्द्रं कामयेऽन्यस्य वा पदम्। रामस्य पदमिच्छन्ती यदगम्यं मुनेरपि॥२२॥
“‘I desire neither Brahmā's nor Indra's station, nor anyone else's. I seek Rāma's feet, which are inaccessible even to sages.’
Passage 23
इत्युक्ते सहसा ब्रह्मा प्रसन्नोऽभूज्जगत्पतिः। तपोऽस्त्वित्यारिषं दत्त्वा जगाम निजमालयम्॥२३॥
“‘When I said this, Brahmā, lord of the world, was immediately pleased. Blessing my austerity with the words “So be it,” he returned to his own abode. Viṣṇu Tests Triyugā in the Form of a Young Brahmin
Passage 24
वटुवेशधरो विष्णुरन्ततो मामुपागतः। कृष्णाजिनधरो दण्डी प्रोवाच स्थिरवद्वचः॥२४॥
“‘At last Viṣṇu came to me in the guise of a young religious student, wearing black antelope skin and carrying a staff. With composed speech he said:
Passage 25
वटुरुवाच— अये कमलपत्राक्षि कलधौततनुप्रभे। कौकस्त्विति सुजघने किं कामा चरसे तपः॥२५॥
The young Brahmin said: “‘Lotus-eyed maiden, your body shines like refined gold. Slender-waisted one, whose daughter are you, and what do you desire from this austerity?
Passage 26
त्वादृशी हंसगमना शिरीषदलकोमला। कस्यचिद्धरणीशस्य योग्यासि महिषीपदे॥२६॥
“‘With your swanlike gait and body delicate as a śirīṣa petal, you deserve to be the chief queen of some earthly king.
Passage 27
यत्र ते चन्दनाढ्येन काश्मीरागुरुसौरभैः। निवर्तयति सन्तापं किं ते वपुर्धूलिधूसरम्॥२७॥
“‘Your distress should be relieved by fragrant sandal, saffron, and aloe. Why is your body instead grey with dust?
Passage 28
हन्त कृष्णाजिनच्छेदो न दुःखं कुरुते किमु। शरीरं ते सरोजाक्षि शिरीषादपि कोमलम्॥२८॥
“‘Alas, does the rough black antelope skin not cause you pain? Lotus-eyed one, your body is softer even than the śirīṣa blossom.
Passage 29
हन्त ते तपनस्पर्शो ग्रीष्मकालातिदुःसहः। बाधते न शरीरं किं कमलादपि कोमलम्॥२९॥
“‘Does not the unbearable touch of the summer sun torment your body, which is more delicate than a lotus?
Passage 30
हन्त ते अक्षिणी रम्ये व्याकुलत्वमुपागते। कस्य सामन्तराजस्य विषयत्वं करिष्यतः॥३०॥
“‘Lovely maiden, your eyes have become agitated. To the realm of which sovereign king do you intend to belong?
Passage 31
अहो अधरबिम्बं ते दिनपातातिमेचकम्। बाहू च कृष्णाजिनतो दूषितौ किणभूषितौ॥३१॥
“‘Alas, your bimba-red lower lip has darkened from passing days, and the antelope skin has marred your arms and adorned them with calluses.
Passage 32
हन्त ते वेणिका रम्यकुसुमस्तबकोचिता। भस्मस्तोमेन ग्रथिता कस्य नो कुरुते व्यथाम्॥३२॥
“‘Your braid deserves clusters of lovely flowers, yet it is matted with heaps of ash. Whose heart would not ache to see it?
Passage 33
ईदृशं दुश्चरं घोरं सुरासुरजनाद्भुतम्। तपश्चरसि वामाक्षि न ते कामोऽभिलक्ष्यते॥३३॥
“‘Beautiful-eyed maiden, you practice an austerity so terrible and difficult that gods and demons marvel, yet its object cannot be discerned.
Passage 34
ब्रह्मेन्द्रादिसुराध्यक्षास्ते आज्ञायावशवर्तिनः। कस्य देवस्य सापेक्षा चरसे दुश्चरं तपः॥३४॥
“‘Brahmā, Indra, and the other lords of the gods would obey your command. In expectation of which god do you perform this arduous penance?
Passage 35
एतत्स्वरूपायोग्यं ते तन्वि तीव्रतरं तपः। यस्य प्रिया त्वं भविता तस्य श्रीर्भविता गृहे॥३५॥
“‘Slender maiden, such severe austerity does not suit your form. Whoever receives you as his beloved will possess Śrī within his house.
Passage 36
अहं मुनिरुदासीनस्तपसा तेऽस्मि चालितः। इति श्रुत्वा वटोर्वाक्यमहमुक्तवती वचः॥३६॥
“‘I am an impartial sage, yet even I have been moved by your austerity.’ Hearing the young Brahmin's words, I replied.
Passage 37
नाहमिन्द्रादिपदवीं न वा तन्महिषीपदम्। कामये किंतु गोविन्दचरणाब्जरजो भृशम्॥३७॥
Triyugā said: “‘I desire neither Indra's rank nor the place of his queen. I long only for the dust of Govinda's lotus feet.
Passage 38
ब्रह्मादिभिः सहेशानैर्देवैरपि सुदुर्लभम्। ततो मां स वटुः प्राह प्रहसन् रम्यया गिरा॥३८॥
“‘That dust is exceedingly difficult even for Brahmā, Śiva, and the other gods to attain.’ The young Brahmin then laughed and addressed me sweetly. The Disguised Lord Offers Every Other Bridegroom
Passage 39
वटुरुवाच— हन्त ते हृदयं तन्वि स्वाराज्यसुखभागिनाम्। महिषीत्वमनादृत्य विष्णुं कामयते कथम्॥३९॥
The young Brahmin said: “‘Slender maiden, how can your heart reject queenship beside a sovereign who enjoys royal happiness and instead desire Viṣṇu?
Passage 40
स्त्रीणां हि स्वपतिर्विष्णुर्येन पाणिग्रहो भवेत्। लब्ध्वा तं सर्वतः शुद्धं किं कार्यं विष्णुना स्त्रियः॥४०॥
“‘For a woman, the man who takes her hand in marriage is her Viṣṇu. Once she has gained such a pure husband, what further need has she of Viṣṇu?
Passage 41
एकान्तचारी विषयैर्वियुक्तो विरक्तचित्तो यतिभिः सम्परीतः। तत्रापि लोलां स्त्रियमेकां दधानः किं ते प्रियत्वे सुतनु विष्णुरर्हः॥४१॥
“‘Viṣṇu lives apart, detached from sense objects and surrounded by renunciants, yet keeps one fickle woman beside him. Beautiful maiden, how is he worthy to be your beloved?
Passage 42
यः साम्राज्यपदं याति धरणीमण्डलेश्वरः। अष्टादशद्वीपपतिः स्मरसुन्दरविग्रहः॥४२॥
“‘Choose instead an emperor, lord of the earth's circle and ruler of its eighteen islands, whose body is as beautiful as Love himself.
Passage 43
कौतुकी स्त्रीप्रियाचारो वेशालङ्कारभूषितः। प्रेमानुरागनिपुणः स ते भर्तृपदोचितः॥४३॥
“‘Playful, affectionate toward women, richly dressed and ornamented, and skilled in love and attachment—such a king is fit to be your husband.
Passage 44
साम्प्रतं ब्रह्मणः सृष्टौ देवासुरमनुष्यकैः। गन्धर्वैर्ज्योतिषां चक्रैश्चन्द्रसूर्यादिभिस्तथा॥४४॥
“‘Brahmā's present creation contains gods, demons, humans, Gandharvas, and the circles of heavenly lights beginning with moon and sun;
Passage 45
अहिभिर्भोगशोभाढ्यैर्मणिभूषितमस्तकैः। राजन्यैः क्षत्रियश्रेष्ठैर्वर्णैर्विप्रादिभिः पृथक्॥४५॥
“‘Serpents splendid in their coils with jewel-adorned heads, kings, the finest warriors, and the separate social orders beginning with Brahmins.
Passage 46
महती रचिता शोभा तेष्वेकं वृणु कञ्चन। वरुणं च वरं प्राप्य सुन्दरं जलदेवतम्॥४६॥
“‘Great splendor has been fashioned among them all; choose any one. If you take handsome Varuṇa, god of the waters, as your bridegroom,
Passage 47
रत्नमालाविभूषाढ्यं नित्यं मोदिष्यसे चिरम्। इन्द्रं वापि वरं प्राप्य सर्वदेवगणेश्वरम्॥४७॥
“‘You will rejoice forever, adorned with jeweled garlands. Or choose Indra, lord of all the hosts of gods.
Passage 48
ऐरावते समासीना मेघमण्डलगामिनी। द्वितीया दामिनीव त्वं भविष्यसि महाप्रभा॥४८॥
“‘Seated upon Airāvata and moving amid masses of clouds, you will shine greatly like a second flash of lightning.
Passage 49
हवींषि श्रोत्रियागारेष्वहनिशमवाप्स्यसि। यथा त्वं यास्यसि प्रेम्णा न तथास्य प्रिया शची॥४९॥
“‘Day and night you will receive offerings in the homes of Vedic sacrificers. Śacī herself will not possess the love that you will receive.
Passage 50
अग्नेश्चेत्त्वं वधूर्भूत्वा यास्यसि प्रेमपात्रताम्। तदा स्वाहास्वधातोऽपि श्रेष्ठैव त्वं भविष्यसि॥५०॥
“‘If you become Agni's bride, you will become the vessel of his love and will surpass even Svāhā and Svadhā.
Passage 51
अथवा चेत् कुबेरस्य पत्नीभावं गमिष्यसि। तदा गन्धर्ववर्याणां स्वरानाकर्णयिष्यसि॥५१॥
“‘Or if you become Kubera's wife, you will listen to the music of the foremost Gandharvas.
Passage 52
स सखा भालचन्द्रस्य शंकरस्य महात्मनः। तेन सार्धं च कैलासं गन्तासि मृगलोचने॥५२॥
“‘He is the friend of great Śaṅkara, who bears the crescent moon upon his brow. Deer-eyed maiden, you will visit Kailāsa with him.
Passage 53
तत्र द्रक्ष्यसि वैकुण्ठादधिकं रमणीयकम्। अथवा शंकरस्यैव पत्नी चेत्त्वं भविष्यसि॥५३॥
“‘There you will see beauty surpassing even Vaikuṇṭha. Or perhaps you will become Śaṅkara's own wife.
Passage 54
तदा गङ्गामुडानीभ्यां भविता प्रेयसी परा। सूर्यं वापि ग्रहाधीशं चन्द्रं वा तारकापतिम्॥५४॥
“‘Then you will become dearer to him than Gaṅgā and Umā. Or choose the sun, lord of the planets, or the moon, lord of the stars.
Passage 55
वरं सम्प्राप्य भवती प्राप्स्यसे परमं सुखम्। एषामन्यतमं चैव वरं वृणु सुलोचने॥५५॥
“‘By obtaining any such bridegroom you will gain supreme happiness. Beautiful-eyed maiden, choose one from among them. Triyugā Rejects Every Perishable Reward
Passage 56
भोगेषु चेत् सुकामत्वं नो चेद्विष्णुं वरिष्यसि। इत्युक्त्वा विरते तस्मिन् बभाषेऽहं वटुद्विजम्॥५६॥
“‘If you desire excellent enjoyment, choose one of these; otherwise you may choose Viṣṇu.’ When he finished speaking, I answered the young Brahmin.
Passage 57
नाहं वटो भविष्यामि क्षरेषु निरता क्वचित्। आब्रह्मस्तम्बपर्यन्तं क्षरमेव न संशयः॥५७॥
Triyugā said: “‘Young Brahmin, I will never become attached to perishable things. From Brahmā down to a blade of grass, everything is perishable—there is no doubt.
Passage 58
अक्षरं तत्परं ब्रह्म गणितानन्दमेव तत्। तस्मादगणितानन्दं परं ब्रह्माभिकामये॥५८॥
“‘Even the imperishable Brahman spoken of in that way is conceived as measurable bliss. Beyond it I seek the supreme Brahman whose bliss is immeasurable.
Passage 59
तत्पुनः कृष्णरामाख्यगोविन्देति परं मुहुः। अर्वाग्यतः प्रपञ्चोऽयं नामरूपफलात्मकः॥५९॥
“‘That highest reality is repeatedly called Kṛṣṇa, Rāma, and Govinda. Below it lies this phenomenal world composed of names, forms, and their fruits.’”