Passage 1
श्रीशुक उवाच— इति तेऽभिहितं राजन् यथाभूत्सरयूः पुरा। भूयश्च कथयाम्यस्याः समुत्पत्तिं वसिष्ठतः॥१॥
Śrī Śuka said: O king, I have told you how Sarayū first arose. Now I shall further relate how she was born through Vasiṣṭha.
Passage 2
कदाचिद्भगवान् वेधाः सत्यलोके सुरैर्वृतः। सभामध्यास्त महतीं लोकेशो वेदनायकः॥२॥
Once Brahmā, lord of the worlds and master of the Vedas, sat in a great assembly in Satyaloka surrounded by gods.
Passage 3
उपासांचक्रिरे देवा देवर्षिनिवहाश्च तम्। चित्ररथाद्या गन्धर्वाश्चक्रुस्तदुपवीणनम्॥३॥
The gods and hosts of divine seers attended him, while Citraratha and other Gandharvas played the vīṇā before him.
Passage 4
तत्र केचिदृचः पेठुस्तदृषयश्चाथ कोविदाः। केचिद्यजूंषि जगुराध्वर्यवविशारदाः॥४॥
Some learned sages recited Ṛgvedic verses, while expert adhvaryus chanted the Yajus formulas.
Passage 5
केचिज्जगुः स्वरैर्युक्तं साम संतन्य भूरिशः। केचिद्दानानि वै चक्रुः केचित्कर्माण्युदैरयन्॥५॥
Some extended the Sāman richly with proper notes; some gave gifts, and others set ritual acts in motion.
Passage 6
केचिज्जटानामभ्यासं चक्रुरन्ये शनैः शनैः। महोपनिषदः पेठुरन्येऽङ्गान्यभ्युदैरयन्॥६॥
Some slowly practiced the complex jaṭā recitation, some read the great Upaniṣads, and others recited the Vedic limbs.
Passage 7
केचिच्छास्त्रानुगां दृष्टिमवलम्ब्य तपोधनाः। चक्रुः परस्परं वादं विद्वान्तज्ञानसाक्षिणः॥७॥
Ascetics rich in penance adopted perspectives grounded in śāstra and debated one another as learned witnesses to knowledge.
Passage 8
एवमन्ये महामन्त्रकल्पान् समुदचारयन्। ऋषिच्छन्दोदेवताभिः साकं यद्वच्च बह्वृचाः॥८॥
Others duly recited great mantras together with their seers, meters, and deities, as masters of many Ṛgvedic hymns do.
Passage 9
तत्रान्योन्यं प्रवादेषु जायमानेषु भूमिप। महर्षिरत्रितनयो दुर्वासा नाम रोषणः॥९॥
Amid those many discussions, O king, stood the irascible great sage Durvāsas, son of Atri.
Passage 10
द्वितीयेनोपयन्तुनाम्ना कोविदेन महर्षिणा। सहभूतः साम गायन्नन्येन परमर्षिणा॥१०॥
Joined by another learned great sage named Upayantu, he sang a Sāman with that eminent seer.
Passage 11
कलहायमानो रोषेणात्यन्धीभूतविलोचनः। विस्वरं रवमातेने गीयमानेषु सामसु॥११॥
Becoming quarrelsome, his sight blinded by anger, he produced a discordant sound amid the chanting of the Sāmans.
Passage 12
ततः श्रीसरयूदेवी तीर्थशक्त्यौघमण्डले। ब्रह्मणो दक्षिणे पार्श्वे गङ्गादीनां पुरः स्थिता॥१२॥
The goddess Śrī Sarayū stood at Brahmā's right side, foremost among Gaṅgā and the other powers in the circle of tīrthas.
Passage 13
अबद्धं तस्य तद्गानमत्रिसूनोर्महारुषः। समाकर्ण्य कटाक्षेण सरस्वत्यै न्यवेदयत्॥१३॥
Hearing the unregulated song of Atri's fiercely angry son, she indicated its fault to Sarasvatī with a sidelong glance.
Passage 14
तया निवेदितं चास्य स्खलितं सामगानगम्। श्रुत्वा सरस्वती देवी प्रोवाच सरयूं प्रति॥१४॥
Learning of the error in his Sāman chant, the goddess Sarasvatī addressed Sarayū.
Passage 15
सम्यग्जातं भगवति त्वयास्मिन् भूरिमण्डले। जायमाने महाशब्दे वादप्रवादगोचरे॥१५॥
“Goddess, you judged correctly amid this vast assembly filled with the great sound of discussion and counterargument.
Passage 16
रोषणस्यात्रिपुत्रस्य स्खालित्यं सामगानगम्। इति श्रुत्वा सरस्वत्या वाचं श्रीसरयूः पुनः॥१६॥
The irascible son of Atri did indeed err in chanting the Sāman.” Hearing Sarasvatī's words, Śrī Sarayū—
Passage 17
हसन्ती तामन्वहसन्निरीक्ष्य वदनं मुनेः। ततो मुनिर्ददौ शापं मर्त्यलोकगतिं प्रति। गर्भवासमनुप्राप्य फलं हास्यस्य वेत्स्यसि॥१७॥
smiled along with her while looking at the sage's face. The sage then cursed her to descend to the mortal world: “Entering a womb, you will learn the fruit of your laughter.”
Passage 18
विधिरुवाच— मा ग्लासीः सरयूदेवि कच्चित्त्वं विश्वमङ्गला। त्वां निरीक्ष्य प्रजायन्ते विशोकाः सकला जनाः॥१८॥
Brahmā said: “Do not grieve, goddess Sarayū, blessing of the universe. Merely seeing you makes all people free from sorrow.
Passage 19
शापोऽयं ते महादेवि केवलं लोकमङ्गलः। मर्त्यलोकेऽपि जाता त्वं मनुष्यान् सुखयिष्यसि॥१९॥
Great goddess, this curse will only bless the world. Born in the mortal realm, you will bring happiness to human beings.
Passage 20
गङ्गादिपुण्यतीर्थेभ्यः सहस्रगुणमुत्तमा। भविष्यसि त्वं सरयूः सत्यं सत्यं न संशयः॥२०॥
You, Sarayū, will become a thousandfold more excellent than Gaṅgā and the other holy tīrthas. This is true beyond doubt.
Passage 21
यः कुर्यात्पुण्यतीर्थेषु यात्रां पृथ्वीप्रदक्षिणाम्। त्वयि यावन्न च स्नाति तावत्तस्य न तत्फलम्॥२१॥
One may pilgrimage to holy tīrthas and circle the earth, yet until one bathes in you that pilgrimage will not yield its fruit.
Passage 22
इत्यादरस्ते विपुलो मर्त्यलोके भविष्यति। श्रीरामनगरी नाम्ना यायोध्येति प्रकीर्तिता॥२२॥
Such immense honor will be yours in the mortal world. In Śrī Rāma's city celebrated by the name Ayodhyā—
Passage 23
साक्षाद्वैकुण्ठनगरी तस्यां स्थास्यसि निश्चला। ब्रह्महापि दुराचारः सुरापायीति परार्थहृत्॥२३॥
that city which is Vaikuṇṭha itself—you will remain securely. Even one who has slain a brāhmaṇa, behaved wickedly, drunk liquor, or stolen another's wealth—
Passage 24
गुरुतल्पगमोऽपि त्वय्येकस्नानाद्विशुद्ध्यति। न त्वत्समं मर्त्यलोके तीर्थमन्यद्भविष्यति॥२४॥
even one who has violated the guru's bed—will be purified by a single bath in you. No tīrtha equal to you will exist in the mortal world.
Passage 25
गर्भवासादपि परं मा ग्लासीस्त्वं सुदेवते। वसिष्ठस्य शुभा भार्या नाम्ना या देव्यरुन्धती॥२५॥
Do not grieve even over residence in a womb, blessed goddess. Vasiṣṭha's auspicious wife is the goddess named Arundhatī.
Passage 26
योगैकतानहृदया लक्ष्मीतुल्याप्युमासमा। तस्या गर्भे जनिं लब्ध्वा विश्वमानन्दयिष्यसि॥२६॥
Her heart is absorbed in yoga; she equals Lakṣmī and resembles Umā. Taking birth in her womb, you will delight the universe.
Passage 27
ततः प्रमोदविपिने रामलीलां मनोहराम्। निरीक्ष्य निजनेत्राभ्यां परां प्रीतिमवाप्स्यसि॥२७॥
Then, beholding Rāma's enchanting play in Pramoda forest with your own eyes, you will attain supreme love.
Passage 28
ततः परं रामचन्द्रे लोकानन्दसुधानिधौ। कोटिकन्दर्पलावण्ये रता देवि भविष्यसि॥२८॥
Thereafter, goddess, you will become enamored of Rāmacandra, the nectar-ocean of the world's joy, whose beauty equals millions of Love-gods.
Passage 29
ब्रह्मपुत्रीं हि मन्वानो रामो न त्वां वरिष्यति। उत्तराचलवर्यस्य नाम्ना पद्मगिरेस्ततः॥२९॥
Regarding you as a brāhmaṇa's daughter, Rāma will not accept you. Therefore, as the daughter of Padmagiri, foremost mountain of the north—
Passage 30
कन्यात्वं प्राप्य भावेन रामेन्दुं वरयिष्यसि। शारदीषु मनोज्ञासु रात्रिषु स्मरमोहिता॥३०॥
you will attain maidenhood and choose moonlike Rāma with loving devotion, enchanted by desire during lovely autumn nights.
Passage 31
रामेण रमणं प्राप्य कृतार्थत्वमुपैष्यसि। नित्यरासविलासस्था महाभावैकभाजनम्॥३१॥
United in delight with Rāma, you will fulfill your purpose, established in the eternal rāsa play as a vessel of mahābhāva.
Passage 32
रसिकेन्द्रं रामचन्द्रं सीतावद्रमयिष्यसि। एवं दुर्वाससः शापस्तव लोकस्य चेष्टदः। नानुतापाय कच्चित्ते तस्मात्किमनुशोचसि॥३२॥
Like Sītā, you will delight Rāmacandra, lord of rasikas. Thus Durvāsas's curse fulfills both your desire and the world's; it is no cause for regret, so why grieve? Her Birth to Vasiṣṭha and Arundhatī
Passage 33
श्रीशुक उवाच— इति श्रुत्वा तु सरयूः पितामहवचः शुभम्। अन्तरानन्दजलधौ ममज्ज विगतज्वरा॥३३॥
Śrī Śuka said: Hearing Grandfather Brahmā's auspicious words, Sarayū was freed from distress and plunged into an inner ocean of bliss.
Passage 34
ततो वसिष्ठस्य गृहे नियोगात्प्रजापतेः सावततार देवी। अरुन्धतीगर्भजदिव्यरत्नं बभूव माङ्गल्यकरीह लोके॥३४॥
At Prajāpati's command, the goddess descended into Vasiṣṭha's house. Born from Arundhatī's womb as a celestial jewel, she brought auspiciousness to the world.
Passage 35
जनक उवाच— पूर्वभवोत्तराद्रेः सा कन्यात्वं नागता कथम्। एकस्मिन् जन्मनि सम्प्राप्ता व्यवधानं कुतो हि सा॥३५॥
Janaka said: “How did she not become the northern mountain's daughter immediately after her previous birth? Why was there an intervening life?
Passage 36
तेनैव जनुषा ब्रह्मन् रामेन्दुं नामिलत्कुतः। एतन्मे छिन्धि संदेहं सरयूसम्भवोद्भवम्॥३६॥
Brāhmaṇa, why did she not unite with moonlike Rāma in that very birth? Remove this doubt of mine concerning Sarayū's birth.”
Passage 37
श्रीशुक उवाच— उक्तमेतत्पुरा राजन् यथा वैवस्वतो मनुः। पौरोहित्ये वसिष्ठस्य तीर्थाय प्रार्थनां दधौ॥३७॥
Śrī Śuka said: O king, it was related earlier how Vaivasvata Manu, having made Vasiṣṭha his priest, requested a tīrtha.
Passage 38
ततस्तप्तं वसिष्ठेन दुश्चरं परमं तपः। ततश्च सा वसिष्ठाय हिमाद्रौ दर्शनं ददौ॥३८॥
Vasiṣṭha then performed most difficult austerity, and she appeared to him in the Himalaya.
Passage 39
कन्याहं ते भविष्यामीत्युवाच सरितां वरा। ततः कन्यात्वमापन्ना संतुष्टा तपसा मुनेः॥३९॥
“I shall become your daughter,” said the foremost river. Pleased by the sage's penance, she therefore assumed daughterhood.
Passage 40
श्रीमत्यां कुलभार्यायामरुन्धत्यामजीजनत्। ततो वसिष्ठस्तां कन्यां गृहीत्वागान्मनोः पुरीम्॥४०॥
She was born to his glorious wife Arundhatī, and Vasiṣṭha took the girl to Manu's city.
Passage 41
पश्चात्प्रवाहरूपापि साभ्युपेता सुधोज्ज्वला। सा कन्या मुनिना दत्ता ऋषये सोमशर्मणे॥४१॥
Afterward she also came in her radiant, nectar-like river form. The sage gave his daughter in marriage to the seer Somaśarman.
Passage 42
सोमशर्मा भृगोर्वंशे ज्ञानवैराग्यभूषितः। तौ दम्पती वीतरागौ चक्राते न च वै प्रजाम्॥४२॥
Somaśarman of Bhṛgu's lineage was adorned with knowledge and dispassion. Detached from passion, the couple produced no offspring.
Passage 43
तपसा सोमशर्मा तु त्यक्त्वा तद्भौतिकं वपुः। ज्ञानेन मुक्तिपदवीमियाय मुनिपुङ्गवः॥४३॥
Through austerity Somaśarman abandoned his material body, and through knowledge that foremost sage attained the path of liberation. Sarayū Encounters Rāma
Passage 44
सा तु प्रमोदविपिने रामस्य मुरलीध्वनिम्। आरादाकर्ण्य सहसा मोहिताभूत्स्मरातुरा॥४४॥
In Pramoda forest she heard Rāma's flute from afar and was suddenly captivated and stricken with love.
Passage 45
रासकेलिं समालोक्य नितान्तं विहरद्वने। ततः कदाचिद्विपिने क्रीडन्तं रघुपुङ्गवम्॥४५॥
She beheld the rāsa play and his boundless sport in the forest. Then one day she saw the foremost Rāghava playing alone in the grove.
Passage 46
एकान्ततः समालोक्य जलान्तादुदतिष्ठत। दिव्यवेषधरा भूत्वा योषिद्रतिमनोहरा। उवाच पुरतो रामं कोटिमन्मथमोहनम्॥४६॥
Seeing him in solitude, she rose from the water, assumed a celestial woman's form enchanting even to Rati, and addressed Rāma, who charms millions of Love-gods.
Passage 47
स्त्र्युवाच— वृणीष्व मां रसिकेन्द्र प्रेम्णासक्तां चिरात्त्वयि। अमुना तव रूपेण मोहिताहं वशीकृता॥४७॥
The woman said: “Accept me, lord of rasikas. I have long been bound to you by love; your form has captivated and mastered me.”
Passage 48
श्रीराम उवाच— कासि त्वमम्भोजदलायताक्षि मनोहरापाङ्गि मनोज्ञरूपे। किं कामरामास्युत देववामा किं वा रमा सर्वगुणाभिरामा॥४८॥
Śrī Rāma said: “Who are you, lotus-petal-eyed one, with lovely glances and enchanting form? Are you Love's consort, a goddess's beloved, or Ramā, delightful with every virtue?”
Passage 49
स्त्र्युवाच— भृगोः कुले सोमशर्मा द्विजेन्द्रो यस्याङ्गनाहं तपसि स्थितस्य। वसिष्ठपुत्री विषयेभ्यो निवृत्ता वशीकृता ते मुरलीनिनादैः॥४९॥
The woman said: “I am the wife of Somaśarman, a foremost brāhmaṇa of Bhṛgu's line, who entered austerity. I am Vasiṣṭha's daughter, withdrawn from sense objects yet mastered by the music of your flute.
Passage 50
त्वं कोऽपि पूर्णः पुरुषः पुराणः स्वकेलिभिर्मोहितसर्वलोकः। जाने त्वदासक्तिमतां जनानां न विद्यतेऽसौ गुणसम्प्रवाहः॥५०॥
You are the full and ancient Person, captivating every world through your play. I know that no such flood of virtues exists apart from those devoted to you.
Passage 51
यं योगिनश्चेतसि चिन्तयन्ति समाधिवश्येऽखिलवृत्तिरिके। स त्वं प्रभो राम परोऽसि पुरुषस्तथापि रत्या किल कामये त्वाम्॥५१॥
You are that supreme Person whom yogins contemplate when the mind is mastered in samādhi and emptied of every movement. Even so, Lord Rāma, I desire you in love.
Passage 52
अङ्गीकुरुष्वैव ततः शरण्य स्मरार्दितां मामनुभूतभोगाम्। नो चेद्वियोगज्वलनज्वालया ते दन्दह्यमाना परिमोक्ष्यामि वर्म॥५२॥
Therefore accept me, refuge of all, tormented by desire and bereft of union. Otherwise, burning in the flames of separation from you, I shall abandon this body.”
Passage 53
श्रीराम उवाच— अहं राजन्यतनयस्त्वं ब्राह्मणसुता भृशम्। कथमङ्गीकरिष्ये त्वां विरुद्धं लोकवेदयोः॥५३॥
Śrī Rāma said: “I am a prince and you are a brāhmaṇa's daughter. How could I accept you in a manner contrary to social and Vedic law?
Passage 54
भवान्तरे भविष्यामि तवाभीष्टार्थसिद्धये। इति मत्वा कुरु तपः शोषयन्ती कलेवरम्॥५४॥
In another birth I shall fulfill your cherished desire. Knowing this, perform austerity and dry up this body.
Passage 55
अनर्थकमिमं देहं तपोऽर्थं विनियोजय। तेन पुण्यप्रभावेण मामेष्यसि भवान्तरे॥५५॥
Dedicate this now purposeless body to austerity. By the power of that merit you will attain me in another birth.”
Passage 56
इति श्रुत्वा प्रभोर्वाक्यं सातप्यत् परमं तपः। जितेन्द्रिया निराहारा प्रेमानलविशोषिता॥५६॥
Hearing the Lord's words, she performed supreme austerity, mastering her senses, taking no food, and drying up in the fire of love.
Passage 57
योगानलेन तं दग्ध्वा पञ्चभूतात्मकं वपुः। ततः पद्मगिरेर्भार्या जन्म सम्प्राप सा वरम्॥५७॥
Burning in yogic fire that body composed of five elements, she then attained an excellent birth as the daughter of Padmagiri.