Passage 1
जनक उवाच— प्रमोदवनवैकुण्ठं यदुद्दिष्टं त्वया प्रभो। तन्मे वद विशेषेण कीदृग्रूपं परं पदम्॥१॥
Janaka said: “Lord, you have spoken of Pramoda forest as Vaikuṇṭha. Describe that supreme abode to me in detail—what is its form?”
Passage 2
श्रीशुक उवाच— कथयामि तव प्राज्ञ निमिवंशविभूषण। प्रमोदवनरूपं यद् रामवैकुण्ठमुच्यते॥२॥
Śrī Śuka said: “Wise ornament of Nimi's dynasty, I shall describe the form of Pramoda forest, which is called Rāma Vaikuṇṭha.
Passage 3
अतीत्य कालमायादीनक्षरानन्दमध्यगम्। प्रेमानन्दमयं धाम नित्यस्थानं मनोहरम्॥३॥
It transcends time, māyā, and all their powers, and stands beyond even the bliss of the imperishable. It is an enchanting eternal abode composed of prema-bliss.
Passage 4
चिदानन्दौ शबलितौ तदाकारसमर्पकौ। अतः साकारमुद्दिष्टं रामवैकुण्ठमद्भुतम्॥४॥
Consciousness and bliss interweave there and confer their own form upon it. Therefore wondrous Rāma Vaikuṇṭha is proclaimed to possess divine form.
Passage 5
सर्वर्तुसंफुल्ललसत्कुसुमामोदकाननम्। आमोदमत्तभ्रमरराजीगुञ्जितमञ्जुलम्॥५॥
Its forest is fragrant with brilliant flowers blooming in every season and beautiful with rows of bees humming in fragrance-intoxicated delight.
Passage 6
कल्पद्रुमसमानेकद्रुमवाटीमनोहरम्। रत्नमाणिक्यसोपानवापिकाकूलशोभितम्॥६॥
It enchants with groves of countless trees resembling wish-fulfilling trees, and the banks of its reservoirs shine with steps of jewels and rubies.
Passage 7
मायादिदोषासम्बन्धि महाशीतलमारुतम्। रसालमञ्जरीवृन्दपरागभरमेदुरम्॥७॥
Untouched by the defects of māyā and the rest, it is cooled by a supremely gentle wind thick with pollen from clusters of mango blossoms.
Passage 8
नवपल्लवशोभाढ्यविटपारूढकोकिलम्। हरिन्मणिमयाकाररामणीयकपत्रकम्॥८॥
Cuckoos perch upon branches rich in the beauty of new leaves, whose captivating emerald-like forms gleam as if fashioned from green jewels.
Passage 9
मकरन्दामृतस्राविप्रसूनभरसंकुलैः। सपल्लवोत्तुङ्गशाखावलम्बिबहुवल्लिभिः॥९॥
It abounds in flowers dripping nectar-ambrosia and in many vines hanging from lofty, leaf-filled branches.
Passage 10
पीयूषपाकमधुरैः फलैरानम्रमूर्तिभिः। वृक्षैर्बहुविधैश्छन्नं बहुकुञ्जमनोहरम्॥१०॥
Many kinds of trees bow beneath fruits sweet as ripened nectar, covering the land and making its innumerable bowers enchanting.
Passage 11
माधुरीवल्लरीच्छन्नतुङ्गभूरुहशोभितम्। लतामन्दिरविश्रान्तनिकुञ्जच्छुकसारिकम्॥११॥
Lofty trees veiled by vines of sweetness beautify it, while parrots and mynas rest in secluded bowers that form leafy temples.
Passage 12
नृत्यन्मयूरनिवहं तापिच्छतरुशोभितम्। लवङ्गलतिकाच्छन्नकुञ्जव्यापिमहीरुहम्॥१२॥
Flocks of peacocks dance among splendid tamāla trees, and great trees spread through bowers covered with clove vines.
Passage 13
क्वचित्कनकपत्राढ्यैः क्वचिन्नीलदलान्वितैः। क्वचित्क्वचिच्च सिन्दूररागरञ्जितपत्रकैः॥१३॥
Some trees abound in golden leaves, others bear dark-blue foliage, and still others have leaves dyed the red of vermilion.
Passage 14
क्वचिन्नीलदलैश्चापि यावकोद्भासिपत्रकैः। क्वचिद्विचित्रपत्रैश्च भूरुहैः परिशोभितम्॥१४॥
Elsewhere trees shine with blue leaves, with foliage bright as red lac, or with leaves of marvelous varied colors.
Passage 15
वसन्तचित्रकारेण चित्रशालीकृतं यथा। अनेकरत्नकूलाभिः सरसीभिर्विराजितम्॥१५॥
It appears transformed into a picture gallery by spring itself, and shines with lakes whose banks are formed from many jewels.
Passage 16
फुल्लत्कमलिनीवृन्दजुष्टानेकसरोजलम्। कमलोत्पलसंसर्गिसौरभाञ्चितमारुतम्॥१६॥
Its many lotus pools are filled with clusters of blossoming water lilies, and its breeze carries the mingled fragrance of lotuses and blue lilies.
Passage 17
अनेकवनसंशोभिरामकेलीरसास्पदम्। प्रमोदमानलोकाढ्यं प्रमोदवनमुत्तमम्॥१७॥
Beautified by many groves, it is the seat of the rasa of Rāma's play. Filled with ever-rejoicing inhabitants, it is the supreme Pramoda forest.
Passage 18
उज्जागरप्रभाभारैः सूर्येन्दुकोटिभासुरम्। यत्र सौगन्धिको नाम पर्वतः सुमहोन्नतः॥१८॥
Masses of brilliant radiance make it shine like millions of suns and moons. There rises a very lofty mountain named Saugandhika.
Passage 19
सुगन्धजलसंस्रावनिर्झरान्वितकन्दरः। सुगन्धभूरुहवृतः सुगन्धलतिकाञ्चितः॥१९॥
Its caves contain cascades pouring fragrant water; fragrant trees surround it and scented vines adorn it.
Passage 20
सुगन्धधातुप्रसवः सुगन्धरजसाञ्चितः। सुगन्धपाषाणतलनिषादिविहगव्रजः॥२०॥
It produces fragrant minerals, is covered with scented pollen, and flocks of birds alight upon its fragrant stone terraces.
Passage 21
यत्र चोद्गच्छति सततं नाम्ना रत्नगिरिर्गिरिः। मणिमाणिक्यरत्नौघमयूखगणसंवृतैः॥२१॥
There also continually rises the mountain named Ratnagiri, wrapped in hosts of rays from masses of gems, rubies, and jewels.
Passage 22
शिखरैरगनस्पृग्भिर्व्याप्नुवन् सकला दिशः। अधित्यकावनतरुनिषादिपिकनादितः॥२२॥
Its sky-touching peaks fill every direction, while cuckoos perched in the wooded trees of its plateaus sing aloud.
Passage 23
श्रीरामकेलीभवनकन्दराशतशोभितः। उपत्यकाशिलावेदिनिषण्णहरिणीकुलः॥२३॥
Hundreds of cave-palaces for Śrī Rāma's play beautify it, and herds of deer sit upon stone terraces in its foothills.
Passage 24
सदावर्तितरोमन्थमत्तशंबरशोभितः। भाभिरुज्जागरीकुर्वन् गगनं दीर्घसानुनः॥२४॥
It is graced by joyful deer ceaselessly chewing the cud, and its long ridges brighten the sky with their radiance.
Passage 25
यत्र प्रवहते नित्यं विलोचनजला नदी। रत्नबद्धोभयतटविश्रान्तमुनिसत्तमा॥२५॥
There flows eternally the river called Vilocanajalā, upon whose jewel-built banks the finest sages repose.
Passage 26
गोपिकाकुचकश्मीरकर्पूरमलयद्रवैः। कस्तूरीचन्दनरसैः क्षोदैः कालागुरूद्भवैः॥२६॥
Its waters are mingled with saffron and camphor from the cowherd women's breasts, liquid sandalwood, musk and sandal paste, and powders arising from dark agarwood.
Passage 27
विचित्रितजला नित्यं सुगन्धिततरङ्गवाट्। राजहंसकुलच्छन्ना कलहंसकलक्वणा॥२७॥
Its waters are perpetually variegated and its rows of waves fragrant. Flocks of royal swans cover it, while graceful swans call sweetly.
Passage 28
मत्तकारण्डवकुलचक्रवाकचयान्विता। शीतलाम्भःसुधासारा शीतलानिलसङ्गिनी॥२८॥
It holds families of delighted waterfowl and hosts of cakravāka birds. Its cool water streams like nectar and it is accompanied by cooling breezes.
Passage 29
पाविनी सर्वलोकानां गङ्गातोऽप्यधिका गुणैः। वसिष्ठमुनिसंसेव्या वासिष्ठीति श्रुता भुवि॥२९॥
Purifying every world and superior even to Gaṅgā in virtue, it is served by the sage Vasiṣṭha and therefore known upon earth as Vāsiṣṭhī.
Passage 30
रामगङ्गा चमत्कारिनीरा प्रेमस्वरूपिणी। तमसाकलिता नित्यं द्विवहा द्विप्रवाहिका॥३०॥
It is also Rāma-Gaṅgā, whose wondrous waters embody prema. Eternally joined by the Tamasā, it flows in a twofold current.
Passage 31
पावयन्ती नाममात्रात्सहस्रयोजनोपरि। तरङ्गसंसर्गिमरुत्पूतजानपदावलिः॥३१॥
Its mere name purifies across thousands of yojanas, and winds that touch its waves sanctify rows of settlements.
Passage 32
यत्र चोत्सवदं नित्यं विशालं कामिकावनम्। संदीपनं नाम वनं यस्यान्तः सुमनोहरम्॥३२॥
There lies the vast Kāmicavana, eternally bestowing festivity, within which is an exceedingly lovely grove named Sandīpana.
Passage 33
सर्वर्तुद्रुमशोभाढ्यं नानाघोषमनोहरम्। मन्थानशब्दमधुरप्रभूताभीरपल्लिकम्॥३३॥
It is rich in trees of every season and captivating with many sounds. Its numerous cowherd hamlets are sweet with the sound of churning.
Passage 34
यत्र गावो दीर्घशृङ्गाश्चन्द्रवर्णा मनोहराः। ऊधोभारनताः साक्षात्कामधेनव उदाराः॥३४॥
There the cows are enchanting, long-horned and moon-colored, bending beneath the weight of their udders—generous wish-fulfilling cows manifest before one's eyes.
Passage 35
यासां खुररजोभिर्भूषिता व्रजमेदिनी। क्रीडनार्हा रमेशस्य सुखिताभीरवासभूः॥३५॥
The dust raised by their hooves adorns the pastoral earth, a joyful cowherd dwelling fit for the play of Ramā's Lord.
Passage 36
यत्र श्रीसुखितग्रामः सदा लक्ष्मीनिवासभूः। श्रीनन्दनमहागोपप्रासादवरसुन्दरः॥३६॥
There stands the glorious village Sukhita, eternally an abode of prosperity and splendid with the noble palace of the great cowherd Śrī Nandana.
Passage 37
श्रीराजिन्या च तत्पत्न्या साक्षादभिनवश्रिया। मात्रा श्रीसहजेशान्या शोभमानो दिवानिशम्॥३७॥
Day and night it shines through his wife Śrī Rājinī, herself newly manifest splendor, and through Mother Śrī Sahajeśānī.
Passage 38
कूर्दद्वत्सतरव्रातः कूर्दद्वत्सतरीयुतः। नन्दीश्वरसमानेकमहावृषभशोभितः॥३८॥
Leaping male and female calves gather there in herds, and many mighty bulls like Nandīśvara lend it grandeur.
Passage 39
यत्र क्रीडापरो रामो लक्ष्मणेन सदा हरिः। सच्चिदानन्दरूपोऽसौ परब्रह्म रसाकृतिः॥३९॥
There Hari, Rāma, ever intent upon play with Lakṣmaṇa, is the embodiment of being, consciousness, and bliss—supreme Brahman whose form is rasa.
Passage 40
विश्वामित्रनिदेशेन चारयन् गा वने वने। आभीरकन्यकाचक्रचन्द्रचारुचकोरदृक्॥४०॥
At Viśvāmitra's direction he tends cows from forest to forest, his lovely cakora-like eyes fixed upon the moon-like circle of cowherd maidens.
Passage 41
नित्यलीलारसानन्दी नित्यरासरसोत्कटः। शारदैश्चैव वासन्तैर्विहारैर्विहरन् सदा॥४१॥
He delights in the rasa of eternal līlā and ardently relishes eternal rāsa, forever sporting in autumnal and springtime festivities.
Passage 42
महाश्रीसहजानन्दारतिकेलीपरायणः। कोटिकल्पावसानेऽप्यविश्रान्तमहारतिः॥४२॥
He is wholly devoted to the love-play of great Śrī Sahajānandā, and even after millions of cosmic ages his supreme passion never tires.
Passage 43
सहजानन्दिनी यत्र क्रीडति स्ववनेऽनिशम्। युक्ता वर्मसखीवृन्दैः श्रीनन्दनसुनन्दिनी॥४३॥
There Sahajānandinī, the blissful daughter of Śrī Nandana, plays night and day in her own forest, accompanied by circles of intimate companions.
Passage 44
माङ्गल्याभाग्यविभवौ यत्र दिव्यकिशोरकौ। तावेव नित्यं रेमाते रमणैः प्राकृतैरिव॥४४॥
There the two divine adolescents, embodiments of auspiciousness, fortune, and splendor, eternally delight together in sports that appear natural and human.”