Passage 1
कमलेश्युवाच— पुरा प्रमोदविपिने गोपराजसुता त्वियम्। तत्र रामेण कामेन रतिवन्मोदतेतराम्॥१॥
Kamaleśvarī said: “Long ago in Pramodā Forest she was the daughter of a cowherd king. There she delighted exceedingly with Rāma, as Rati delights with Kāma.
Passage 2
रमणीयः सदा रामो रमणीनां रमापतिः। भजते कोटिरूपेण यां साक्षात्सहजेश्वरी॥२॥
“Rāma, Lord of Ramā, is eternally beautiful. In ten million forms he lovingly serves her who is directly the sovereign Sahajā.
Passage 3
इयं हि सहजा नाम रामस्यात्मा चिदाकृतेः। सामरस्यानन्दसिन्धुलहरीगणनिर्वृता॥३॥
“She is named Sahajā, the very self of Rāma's conscious form, fulfilled by hosts of waves from the ocean of blissful unity.
Passage 4
सम्पूर्णपुरुषो देवः पुरुषोत्तम ईश्वरः। प्रमोदविपिने कुञ्जे शुद्धारसुरपादपः॥४॥
“The Lord is the complete person, the Supreme Person and sovereign God. In the bowers of Pramodā Forest he is a celestial wish-tree of pure rasa.
Passage 5
तेनाहं सङ्गता तद्वच्छृणु त्वं राजपुङ्गव। अहं शातातपमुनेः सङ्गवो नाम बालकः॥५॥
“Excellent king, hear how I came to join her. I was once a boy named Saṅgava, the son of the sage Śātātapa.
Passage 6
अश्रौषं रामचारित्रं गीयमानं पुरातनैः। कपिलो देवलो व्यासो वसिष्ठः पुलहः क्रतुः॥६॥
“I heard Rāma's deeds sung by the ancient sages—Kapila, Devala, Vyāsa, Vasiṣṭha, Pulaha, and Kratu;
Passage 7
अत्रिश्चाङ्गिरसः कण्वश्च्यवनो नारदो भृगुः। अष्टावक्रः पुलस्त्यश्च कुम्भजः शङ्करो रविः॥७॥
“Atri, Aṅgiras, Kaṇva, Cyavana, Nārada, Bhṛgu, Aṣṭāvakra, Pulastya, the pot-born Agastya, Śaṅkara, and the sun.
Passage 8
स्वयम्भूर्वै तथा ब्रह्मा तथैवान्ये प्रजेश्वराः। पृथक् पृथक् संहिताभिरेकं राममधीयते॥८॥
“Self-born Brahmā and the other lords of creatures each studied and proclaimed the one Rāma in their separate saṃhitās.
Passage 9
तेषां ताः संहिताः श्रुत्वा रामे मतिरजायत। ऋक्सामयजुषामन्तेष्वेको रामः प्रतिष्ठितः॥९॥
“Hearing their saṃhitās, my heart turned to Rāma. At the culmination of Ṛg, Sāma, and Yajur revelation, the one Rāma is established.
Passage 10
पदैर्वाक्यैर्महावाक्यैर्ग्रन्थेन च समन्ततः। श्रीरामः केवलं ब्रह्म समासव्यासतः स्मृतः॥१०॥
“In individual words, sentences, great declarations, and whole scriptures, concisely and expansively, Śrī Rāma alone is remembered as Brahman.
Passage 11
इत्येवं जायमाना सा श्रीरामविषया मतिः। परं प्रेमाणमासाद्य व्यजृम्भत हृदन्तरे॥११॥
“Thus awareness centered upon Śrī Rāma arose within me. Attaining supreme love, it expanded throughout my heart. Love Carries Saṅgava Beyond Ordinary Life
Passage 12
ततो वियोगात् परमस्य पुंसः पत्युर्वियोगादिव सुन्दरीणाम्। दशा ममाजायत भावपूर्णा प्रमोदकुञ्जैकविहारशीला॥१२॥
“Separation from the Supreme Person produced in me the state of a loving woman separated from her husband, wholly absorbed in wandering the bowers of Pramodā.
Passage 13
ततस्तपःसमाधिभ्यां कर्मभिर्ज्ञानसम्पदा। रहितो विच्युतः स्वस्य वर्णाश्रमविधेरपि॥१३॥
“I became oblivious to austerity, meditation, ritual action, and the wealth of knowledge, and even fell away from the customary rules of my social and spiritual station.
Passage 14
अश्रमं पृथिवीं सर्वां जडोन्मत्तपिशाचवत्। व्यचरं नाचरं किञ्चित् सदसद्वा स्खलन्मतिः॥१४॥
“Homeless, I wandered the entire earth like one inert, mad, or spirit-possessed. My reeling mind no longer distinguished what should or should not be done.
Passage 15
श्रीमत्प्रमोदकुञ्जस्थः श्रीरामप्रेमविह्वलः। आयुःशेषं वीक्षमाणो रामनामपरायणः॥१५॥
“Inwardly dwelling in glorious Pramodā's bowers, overwhelmed by love for Śrī Rāma, I spent the remainder of my life wholly devoted to Rāma's name.
Passage 16
रत्नशैलैकदेशे तु मुक्तवान् पाञ्चभौतिकम्। ततो मन्दरशैलस्य कन्यात्वं समुपेयिवान्॥१६॥
“In one region of Ratna Mountain I released the body made of five elements. I was then born as a daughter of Mount Mandara. Mandara's Daughter Beholds Sītā and Rāma
Passage 17
तत्र दृष्टवती रामं क्रीडन्तं शिखरोत्तमे। कदाचित् स्वपितुर्मूर्ध्नि क्रीडन्ती दिव्यविग्रहा॥१७॥
“While playing in a divine body upon my father's highest peak, I once saw Rāma sporting there.
Passage 18
उद्दामकौस्तुभविराजितकण्ठदेशं भाले स्फुरन्मृगमदामकरीमनोज्ञम्। सीतासहायमनुजेन निषेवितांसं पीताम्बरं मधुरमेचकमेघवर्णम्॥१८॥
“The mighty Kaustubha adorned his throat and a shining musk ornament beautified his brow. Sītā accompanied him, his younger brother attended at his side, and his sweet rain-cloud-dark body wore yellow silk.
Passage 19
उत्फुल्लपङ्कजदलायतलोचनान्तानर्यत्कटाक्षशरपातविदीर्णधैर्यम्। माद्यत्पुलिन्दशबराचरभिल्लभार्यामध्यस्थितकृतमदामृगयाविनोदम्॥१९॥
“His long eyes were fully opened lotus petals, and the fall of his sidelong arrows shattered composure. Amid the wives of excited Pulindas, Śabaras, and Bhillas, he delighted in an intoxicating hunt.
Passage 20
तं वीक्ष्य चकमे पश्चात् कामतत्त्वतः कामिनम्। स मां कामश्लथां दृष्ट्वान्तरज्ञो महाशयः। उवाच वचनं देवः स्मयमानः शनैः शनैः॥२०॥
“Seeing that embodiment of divine love, I desired him. The great-hearted Lord, knower of the inner self, saw me weakened by longing and spoke slowly with a smile.
Passage 21
श्रीराम उवाच— अहं जानामि ते भावं भावज्ञोऽखिलचेतसाम्। न पुनः सुलभोऽयं ते मनसा कामितो वरः॥२१॥
Śrī Rāma said: “‘I know your feeling, for I know the feeling in every heart. Yet the bridegroom desired by your mind is not easily attained.
Passage 22
पुरा यत्ते कृतं मह्यं कीर्तनश्रवणादिकम्। तत्प्रभावादिदं प्राप्तं मद्दर्शनमनुत्तमम्॥२२॥
“‘Because you formerly heard and sang about me and performed similar devotion, you have now received this incomparable vision of me.
Passage 23
ब्रह्मादयोऽपि यत्प्राप्त्यै तेपिरे दुःसहं तपः। इयं हि सहजानन्दा मम वामाङ्गसङ्गिनी॥२३॥
“‘Brahmā and the other gods practice unbearable austerity to obtain this sight. This Sahajānandā is my companion upon my left side.
Passage 24
सीता रावणवाणाद्या मुमुहुर्यद्विलोकनात्। नैतां विना रमे क्वापि कामतत्त्वेन योषिति॥२४॥
“‘Sītā's beauty bewilders even Rāvaṇa, Bāṇa, and others merely through a glance. Apart from her I never delight in any woman as the embodiment of love.
Passage 25
इयं परब्रह्मणो मे परब्रह्मस्वरूपिणी। एकमेव द्विधा रूपं क्रीडया विद्धि मां परम्॥२५॥
“‘She is the form of the supreme Brahman that I am. Know that through play the one highest reality assumes our two forms.’
Passage 26
इत्युक्त्वान्तर्दधे रामः प्रियया सह तत्क्षणात्। अन्तर्हिते परे पुंसि बभूव महती व्यथा॥२६॥
“Having spoken, Rāma disappeared at once with his beloved. When the Supreme Person vanished, immense anguish arose within me.
Passage 27
रिक्तयामास च मयि तूणीरं पञ्चसायकः। कामबाणोद्भवां पीडां विभ्राणा मूर्च्छितापतम्॥२७॥
“The five-arrowed god of love emptied his quiver into me. Bearing the pain born of those arrows, I fainted and fell.
Passage 28
ततो मां पर्वतपतिर्विचिन्वन् मन्दरो गतः। यत्राहं संस्थिता घोरे कानने शिखरोत्तमे॥२८॥
“My father, Mount Mandara, searched for me and reached the terrible forest upon the highest summit where I lay. Mount Mandara Consoles His Daughter
Passage 29
तत्र मां पतितां भूमौ निःश्वसन्तीं सुमूर्च्छिताम्। उत्थाप्य दोर्भ्यां दीर्घाभ्यां परिरेभे दयातुरः॥२९॥
“Seeing me fallen unconscious upon the ground and breathing heavily, he lifted me with his long arms and embraced me in compassion.
Passage 30
मूर्ध्न्याघ्राय सुधाबिन्दून् पातयामास मत्तनोः। संजातचेतना भूयः पितरं वीक्ष्य लज्जिता॥३०॥
“He smelled the crown of my head and sprinkled drops of nectar upon my body. Regaining consciousness, I saw my father and became ashamed.
Passage 31
ततो गद्गदकण्ठेन पिता प्रोवाच मन्दरः। किमर्थं मूर्च्छिता तन्वि धर्षिता वासि केनचित्॥३१॥
“My father Mandara asked in a voice choked with emotion: ‘Slender daughter, why did you faint? Has anyone assaulted you?
Passage 32
दष्टा वा भुजगेनासि भीषिता वासि केनचित्। सम्मोहिता वा विजने रहिता स्वसखीजनेः॥३२॥
“‘Were you bitten by a serpent, frightened by someone, or bewildered here in solitude while separated from your companions?
Passage 33
त्रासिता हसिता वापि तथा किं वापमानिता। इमामवस्थां सम्प्राप्ता किमर्थमसि पुत्रिके॥३३॥
“‘Were you terrified, mocked, or insulted? Daughter, why have you come to this condition?
Passage 34
न हि ते दुर्लभं किञ्चिन्मम पुत्र्या जगत्त्रये। ये देवास्त्रिदशश्रेष्ठास्ते मच्छिखरवासिनः॥३४॥
“‘Nothing in the three worlds is unattainable to my daughter. The greatest gods themselves dwell upon my peaks.
Passage 35
पुरा समुद्रमथने वृत्तोऽहं दण्डतां गतः। मन्थदण्ड इति ख्यातस्त्रिषु लोकेष्वहं ततः॥३५॥
“‘At the ancient churning of the ocean I served as the churning rod, and since then I have been renowned throughout the three worlds as Manthadaṇḍa.
Passage 36
मम मूलोपमूलानि सुधाक्तानि समन्ततः। दत्तश्च मे सुरैर्भागः पूर्णकुण्डं सुधामयम्॥३६॥
“‘My roots and subsidiary roots were bathed on every side in nectar, and the gods gave me as my share a full vessel of ambrosia.
Passage 37
अहं पादैः क्षितितलं शिखरैश्च नभस्तलम्। व्याप्य तिष्ठामि सततं कूर्मपृष्ठैकसंश्रयः॥३७॥
“‘Resting upon the tortoise's back, I continually pervade the earth with my feet and the sky with my peaks.
Passage 38
यत्ते मनोऽभिलषितमहं पूरयितास्मि तत्। तदाह पितरं साक्षादेवमुक्तवती वचः॥३८॥
“‘I shall fulfill whatever your heart desires.’ Thus addressed, I told my father the truth.
Passage 39
मम श्रीरामचन्द्रेण लोकानन्देन कामिना। आदिनारायणेनैव दर्शनं दत्तमुत्तमम्॥३९॥
“‘Śrī Rāmacandra, the loving delight of the worlds and primordial Nārāyaṇa himself, granted me a supreme vision.
Passage 40
वामाङ्गसङ्गिनीं तस्य श्रियं दृष्ट्वा मनोहराम्। स्त्रीस्वभावेन चकमे कामतत्त्वतः कामिनम्॥४०॥
“‘Seeing the enchanting Śrī beside his left side, my feminine nature desired that Lord who is the very principle of divine love.
Passage 41
प्राग्जन्मतपसा दृष्टः प्रभुरन्तर्हितोऽधुना। तददर्शनमोहोत्थमहादुःखेन मूर्च्छितास्मि॥४१॥
“‘Through austerity in my former birth I saw the Lord, but now he has disappeared. I fainted from the immense grief and bewilderment of no longer seeing him.
Passage 42
जानीहि मां शैलराज किं तत्र त्वं करिष्यसि। न हि रामस्तपोध्यानकर्मज्ञानसमाधिभिः॥४२॥
“‘Mountain king, understand my condition—but what can you do? Rāma is not attained by austerity, meditation, action, knowledge, or samādhi.
Passage 43
सुलभो विद्यते तात तेनाहं वञ्चितास्मि भोः। वञ्चितास्मि च तेनाहं रूपेणाप्रतिमेन च॥४३॥
“‘Dear father, he is not easily attained. Alas, I have been captivated by him and by his incomparable form.’
Passage 44
मन्दर उवाच— या श्रीर्वामाङ्गसंस्थास्य तामाराधय सुव्रते। ततस्तस्याः प्रसादेन लप्स्यसे रामसन्निधिम्॥४४॥
Mandara said: “‘Virtuous daughter, worship Śrī who dwells upon his left side. Through her grace you will attain Rāma's presence.
Passage 45
रामो हि परमं ब्रह्म कालमायाक्षरातिगम्। सम्पूर्णमक्षरातीतं पुरुषोत्तमशब्दितम्॥४५॥
“‘Rāma is the supreme Brahman beyond time, māyā, and the imperishable. Complete and beyond even the akṣara, he is called the Supreme Person.’ Nārada Teaches the Fifteen-Day Sītā-Rāma Vow
Passage 46
इत्युक्त्वा सान्त्वयित्वा च मां निनाय गृहं गिरिः। ततः कालेन चाल्पेन नारदोऽभ्याययौ ततः॥४६॥
Kamaleśvarī continued: “After consoling me in this way, the mountain took me home. A short time later Nārada arrived.
Passage 47
यत्राहं संस्थिता कन्या पितुः पार्श्वे दृढव्रता। पूजितो नारदः पित्रा ततः प्रोवाच मत्कृते॥४७॥
“I remained beside my father as a steadfast maiden. After my father worshiped Nārada, the sage spoke concerning me.
Passage 48
शृणु शैलेन्द्र पुत्री ते महाभागा यशस्विनी। साक्षाच्छ्रीरामजायायाः सखीभावमुपेष्यति॥४८॥
Nārada said: “‘Mountain king, listen. Your greatly fortunate and renowned daughter will directly attain companionship with Śrī Rāma's beloved.
Passage 49
तदर्थं तद्व्रतं कर्तुमुचितेयं शुचिस्मिता। इत्येवमुक्त्वा प्रोवाच व्रतराजं मनोहरम्॥४९॥
“‘For that purpose this pure-smiling maiden should perform her vow.’ Having said this, he explained the beautiful king of vows.
Passage 50
साक्षाच्छ्रीसहजानन्दाश्रीरामप्रियकारकम्। भाद्रशुक्लाष्टमीं प्राप्य यावदाश्विनकृष्णगाम्॥५०॥
“The vow directly delights Śrī Sahajānandā and Śrī Rāma. It begins on the bright eighth of Bhādra and continues until the dark eighth of Āśvina.
Passage 51
अष्टमीं विधिवत्कुर्याद्व्रतं संकल्पपूर्वकम्। श्रीसीतारामतुष्ट्यर्थं भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायकम्॥५१॥
“One should undertake the observance properly with a formal intention on the eighth day, to please Śrī Sītā and Rāma. It grants enjoyment and liberation.
Passage 52
ताम्रपट्टे लिखित्वा तु मूर्तिं सीताभिरामयोः। पाद्यार्घ्याचमनीयाद्यैः पूजयेद्विधिपूर्वकम्॥५२॥
“One should inscribe the forms of lovely Sītā and Rāma upon a copper plate and worship them properly with water for the feet, an offering, water for sipping, and the other rites.
Passage 53
जानक्यै रामचन्द्राय सहजायै प्रियाय च। सीतायै रघुनाथाय नित्यमेव नमो मम॥५३॥
“‘To Jānakī and Rāmacandra, to Sahajā and her beloved, to Sītā and Raghunātha—my eternal reverence.’
Passage 54
जानक्यै विद्महे दिव्ये सहजायै च धीमहि। तन्नः सीता प्रचोदयात् संध्यामन्त्रोऽयमीरितः॥५४॥
“‘May we know divine Jānakī; may we meditate upon Sahajā; may that Sītā inspire us.’ This is declared as the twilight mantra.
Passage 55
रामचन्द्राय धीमहि पुनः प्रियाय धीमहि। त्रिसन्ध्यं प्रजपेत्तन्नो रघुनाथः प्रचोदयात्॥५५॥
“‘May we meditate upon Rāmacandra; may we meditate upon the beloved; may Raghunātha inspire us.’ One should repeat this at the three daily junctions.
Passage 56
एताभ्यां राजते पात्रे निधाय घुसृणादिकम्। कर्पूरचन्दनं तोयमर्घ्यं दद्यात्प्रयत्नतः॥५६॥
“One should place saffron and other fragrant substances, camphor, sandal, and water in a shining vessel and carefully offer it as arghya with the two mantras.
Passage 57
ततः पद्मपलाशान्तः कल्पयेन्मिष्टपिण्डिकाः। ताः सप्तैव द्विजे दत्त्वा स्वयमश्नीत सप्त च॥५७॥
“One should then prepare sweet cakes upon lotus leaves, give seven to a Brahmin, and eat seven oneself.
Passage 58
सीतासूक्तिं जपित्वा च दद्यात्पुष्पाञ्जलित्रयम्। तिलपायसपद्माक्षघृतैश्च जुहुयाच्छतम्॥५८॥
“After reciting the Sītā hymn, one should offer three handfuls of flowers and make one hundred oblations with sesame, milk pudding, lotus seed, and ghee.
Passage 59
दिने दिने गृणेद्गाथाः सीतारामप्रियस्तवाः। एवं पञ्चदशाहेन व्रतेन परितुष्यति॥५९॥
“Day after day one should sing narratives and beloved praises of Sītā and Rāma. Through this fifteen-day vow the divine pair is pleased.
Passage 60
श्रीसीतारामयुगलं दुर्लभं घटयेत् रसम्। इत्याभाष्य पितुः पार्श्वे बभूवान्तर्हितो मुनिः॥६०॥
“The vow brings about the rare rasa of union with Śrī Sītā and Rāma.” Having said this beside my father, the sage disappeared. Kamalā Enters the Eternal Līlā
Passage 61
तच्छ्रुत्वानुष्ठितवती व्रतराजमहं पुनः। समाप्ते व्रतराजे तु साक्षान्मे दर्शनं ददौ॥६१॥
“Having heard these instructions, I performed the king of vows. When it was complete, the divine pair granted me a direct vision.
Passage 62
सीतारामाख्ययुगलं रतिकामयुगं यथा। दत्त्वा मां दिव्यदेहं तु स्वलीलारसमण्डले॥६२॥
“The pair known as Sītā and Rāma appeared like Rati and Kāma. They gave me a divine body within the sphere of their own līlā-rasa.
Passage 63
स मां प्रवेशयामास भौतिकं चाद्रवद्वपुः। द्रवीभूय नदी भूत्वा नित्यं प्रवहतेतराम्॥६३॥
“They admitted my true self into their play, while my elemental mountain body melted, became a river, and has flowed eternally ever since.
Passage 64
मदात्मा तु स्वयं तस्याः सखीत्वं समुपेयिवान्। प्रमोदवनकुञ्जेषु रमे सहजया सह॥६४॥
“My conscious self attained companionship with her. In the bowers of Pramodā Forest I delight together with Sahajā.
Passage 65
यत्रेयं गोपराजस्य तनया सहजाभिधा। तत्राहं कमला नाम सहजायाः प्रिया सखी॥६५॥
“Where she appears as the cowherd king's daughter named Sahajā, there I am Kamalā, Sahajā's beloved companion.
Passage 66
इदानीमवतीर्णेयं प्रभुं ज्ञात्वावतारिणम्। तत्सार्धमहमप्याशु प्रादुर्भूतास्मि कुम्भतः। यथेयं ते प्रिया कन्या तथाहमपि गृह्यताम्॥६६॥
“Now, knowing that the Lord has descended, she too has descended, and I quickly manifested beside her from a pitcher. Just as she is your beloved daughter, please accept me also.”