Passage 1
श्रीशिव उवाच— अस्याः साम्राज्यपदवी प्रमुद्रे प्रतिष्ठिता। तत्रस्था कालमायादीनाज्ञापयति राजवत्॥१॥
Śrī Śiva said: Her imperial station is established in the realm of supreme delight. Dwelling there, she commands Time, Māyā, and the other powers like a sovereign.
Passage 2
अस्याः कटाक्षमात्रेण कोटिब्रह्माण्डनिर्मितिः। कोट्यश्च विरञ्चीनां विष्णूनां चैव कोटयः॥२॥
From a mere sidelong glance of hers arise crores of cosmic eggs, crores of Brahmās, and crores of Viṣṇus.
Passage 3
कोटयश्चैव रुद्राणां शक्राणां चैव कोटयः। उत्पद्यन्ते विकुर्वन्ति विलीयन्ते ततस्तथा॥३॥
Crores of Rudras and crores of Indras likewise arise, undergo their transformations, and then dissolve.
Passage 4
एकं सृजति ब्रह्माण्डमेकं स्थापयते तथा। एकं संहरेत चैषा कटाक्षक्षेपमात्रतः॥४॥
By the mere casting of a glance, she creates one cosmic egg, sustains another, and withdraws another.
Passage 5
जानन्ति काल इत्येनां केचिद्वेदार्थकोविदाः। केचित्कर्मेति जानन्ति स्वभावमिति चापरे॥५॥
Some experts in Vedic meaning know her as Time; some know her as action, while others call her inherent nature.
Passage 6
केचित्पुरुष इत्येनां जगुरन्येऽक्षरात्मिकाम्। केचित्तत्त्वात्मिकामेनां जगुर्ब्रह्मेति चापरे॥६॥
Some proclaim her to be Puruṣa, others the essence of the imperishable; some call her the embodiment of reality, and still others Brahman.
Passage 7
केचित्पूर्णं परं ब्रह्म पुरुषोत्तमशब्दितम्। स्वतन्त्रेच्छं गुणाधीशं कल्याणगुणभूषणम्॥७॥
Some call her the complete supreme Brahman named Puruṣottama, independently willing, sovereign of the guṇas, and adorned with auspicious qualities.
Passage 8
वदन्त्येनां वेदाचार्याः सहजानन्दिनीश्वरीम्। नास्याः पारं विजानन्ति ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वराः॥८॥
Teachers of the Veda call her the sovereign Sahajānandinī. Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Maheśvara do not know the limit of her being.
Passage 9
श्रीराम एव जानाति तत्त्वमस्या यथातथम्। कदाचिदेषा सहजा स्वात्मलीलामुपाश्रिता॥९॥
Śrī Rāma alone knows her reality exactly as it is. At times Sahajā enters the play of her own Self.
Passage 10
सम्मोहयति तं चापि श्रीरामं किमुतेतरम्। अस्या लीलावशाद् रामो मानुषं भावमाश्रितः। लोके मूढ इवाभाति किमुतान्यस्य वै कथा॥१०॥
She can bewilder even Śrī Rāma—what then of anyone else? Under the force of her play, Rāma assumes a human disposition and appears in the world as though bewildered; what need be said of another?
Passage 11
श्रीराजिन्युवाच— अस्या माहात्म्यमुदितं भवता यत्त्रिलोचन। न तत्र मम संदेहो पदार्थो भगवन् स्फुटम्॥११॥
Śrī Rājinī said: Three-eyed Lord, I have no doubt about the majesty of hers that you have declared; the matter is clear, Bhagavān.
Passage 12
रामोऽप्यस्या महिमानं न वेत्ति यत्तु प्रोक्तं भवता पार्वतीश। तन्मे चित्ते संशयोऽभून्नितान्तं यस्मादेषा तदभिन्नस्वरूपा॥१२॥
Yet you have said, Lord of Pārvatī, that even Rāma does not know her greatness. This has produced a profound doubt in my mind, because her nature is non-different from his.
Passage 13
श्रीशिव उवाच— तदभिन्नस्वरूपेयं सत्यमेव न संशयः। तदप्येषा क्वचित्स्वेच्छामात्रा तं चापि मोहयेत्॥१३॥
Śrī Śiva said: Her nature is indeed non-different from his; this is true beyond doubt. Even so, merely through her own will she may sometimes bewilder him too.
Passage 14
प्रवक्ष्याम्यत्र ते दिव्यमाख्यानं गोपभामिनि। अवतारकथारूपं सहजाया महाद्भुतम्॥१४॥
Cowherd lady, I shall now tell you a divine account, the wondrous avatāra narrative of Sahajā.
Passage 15
आसीन्निमिकुले राजा जनको नाम धार्मिकः। सत्यसंधो दयानिष्ठो ब्रह्मज्ञो योगवित्तमः॥१५॥
In Nimi's lineage there was a righteous king named Janaka, true to his word, established in compassion, a knower of Brahman, and foremost in yoga.
Passage 16
सर्वानुकूलधिषणः सर्वस्य कमनीयधीः। विक्रमी शूरहृदयो याजको वेदवित्तमः॥१६॥
His understanding favored the good of all and his intelligence delighted everyone. He was valiant, heroic at heart, a performer of sacrifice, and an excellent knower of the Veda.
Passage 17
पूर्वोत्तरार्थकुशलः सिद्धान्तयज्ञो महामतिः। विवेचकः कृतश्रद्धो जितेन्द्रिय उदारधीः॥१७॥
He skillfully understood antecedent and consequence, knew established doctrine, and possessed great intelligence. Discerning, faithful, self-controlled, and broad-minded, he mastered his senses.
Passage 18
दानकृच्छास्त्रनिर्णेता निर्विकल्पो महामनाः। लोकोपास्तिपरः क्षान्तो विजयी तत्त्वदर्शनः॥१८॥
He gave generously, determined questions of scripture, and was resolute and great-minded. Devoted to sustaining the people's worship, patient, victorious, and a seer of truth, he remained steadfast.
Passage 19
आस्तिकस्त्यागशीलश्च लक्ष्मीवान् दिव्यलक्षणः। शस्त्रास्त्रविद्यानिपुणः सर्वधर्मविशारदः॥१९॥
He was faithful, inclined to renunciation, prosperous, and marked by divine signs; skilled in weapons and missiles and thoroughly versed in every dharma.
Passage 20
देवतातिथिनित्यार्चातत्परो विदितार्थकः। प्रमाणज्ञः सदा वीरः परदुःखनिवारकः॥२०॥
He constantly worshiped the gods and guests, understood the purpose of things, knew the valid means of knowledge, was always courageous, and relieved the suffering of others.
Passage 21
रामभक्तिपरो राजा प्रजारञ्जनतत्परः। अनिन्दकः सुवदनः प्रसन्नः परिणामवित्॥२१॥
The king was wholly devoted to Rāma and intent on delighting his subjects. He reviled no one, spoke graciously, remained serene, and understood consequences.
Passage 22
ईतिहर्ता वीतशोकः कालधर्मप्रचारणः। विचारपरमो वेत्ता अप्रमत्तः प्रतापवान्॥२२॥
He removed calamities, was free from grief, and upheld the duties appropriate to each time. Supreme in reflection, knowledgeable, vigilant, and powerful, he never became careless.
Passage 23
सर्वभूतदयाशीलो हयमेधविशारदः। इन्द्रासनस्याधिष्ठाता द्यावाभूम्येकमण्डनः॥२३॥
Compassionate toward every being and expert in the horse sacrifice, he was worthy of Indra's throne and a singular ornament of heaven and earth.
Passage 24
कुलभारोद्वहनकृद्धरित्रीभरणक्षमः। विप्रार्चनसदाचारो महालक्ष्मीप्रसादनः॥२४॥
He carried the burden of his lineage and was capable of sustaining the earth. His proper conduct included honoring brāhmaṇas, and he won Mahālakṣmī's favor.
Passage 25
आत्मज्ञो वीतरागश्च ग्राम्यधर्मपराङ्मुखः। सत्याचारपरो नित्यं प्रत्यक्षस्वात्मदर्शनः॥२५॥
He knew the Self, was free from passion, and turned away from coarse worldly conduct. Forever devoted to truthful action, he directly beheld his own Self.
Passage 26
महायोगीन्द्रसंसर्गी योगचर्चापरायणः। महोपनिषदर्थज्ञः सर्वत्र समदर्शनः॥२६॥
He associated with the greatest masters of yoga, remained devoted to yogic inquiry, knew the meaning of the great Upaniṣads, and saw the same reality everywhere.
Passage 27
तस्य पालयतः पृथ्वीं मिथिलेन्द्रस्य धीमतः। नाधार्मिकोऽभूज्जगति नाकृतज्ञो न नास्तिकः॥२७॥
While that wise lord of Mithilā governed the earth, no irreligious, ungrateful, or faithless person remained in his realm.
Passage 28
नासत्यवाङ् नालसश्च नावर्णाश्रमपालकः। नाशूरो नापि दुष्टात्मा न शठो नाजितेन्द्रियः॥२८॥
No one spoke falsely, was lazy, or failed to uphold the social and spiritual orders; none was cowardly, corrupt in heart, deceitful, or uncontrolled in sense.
Passage 29
स ऊढवान् महावंश्यां राज्ञीं सुनयनाह्वयाम्। तया सह धरित्र्या च मुमुदे राजपुङ्गवः॥२९॥
He married the high-born queen named Sunayanā, and that foremost king rejoiced with her while sustaining the earth.
Passage 30
राज्ञी सुनयना देवी महालक्ष्मीप्रपूजने। अविच्छिन्नमतीर्जाता भर्त्रा सह नृपेण च॥३०॥
Queen Sunayanā kept her mind uninterruptedly fixed upon the full worship of Mahālakṣmī together with her husband the king.
Passage 31
प्रसन्ना श्रीः स्वयं साक्षाच्चतुर्धा तद्गृहेऽभवत्। स्वयं श्रीसहजादेवी ह्येषा जाता स्वरूपतः॥३१॥
Pleased with them, Śrī herself directly appeared fourfold in their house. Śrī Sahajādevī herself was born there in her own true form.
Passage 32
सा सीतेति समाख्याता द्वितीया चोर्मिलाभवत्। तृतीया माण्डवीत्याख्या श्रुतकीर्तिश्चतुर्थिका॥३२॥
The first was known as Sītā, the second became Urmilā, the third was called Māṇḍavī, and the fourth Śrutakīrti.
Passage 33
एवं दशरथगेहे जातो रामचन्द्रः स्वयम्। त्रिभिर्वै लक्ष्मणाद्यैश्च कार्यविधित्सया॥३३॥
In the same way Rāmacandra himself was born in Daśaratha's house with the other three beginning with Lakṣmaṇa, desiring to accomplish the divine purpose.
Passage 34
अथो जनकराजस्य कन्यास्ता वयसान्विताः। जाताः स्वयंवरोपेता अप्राकृतगुणान्विताः। अथ श्रीनारदोऽभ्येत्य प्रोवाच जनकं प्रति॥३४॥
In time King Janaka's daughters came of age, ready for svayaṃvara and endowed with supramundane qualities. Then Śrī Nārada arrived and spoke to Janaka.
Passage 35
श्रीनारद उवाच— एतास्ते कन्यका राजन् साक्षाल्लक्ष्मीस्वरूपिणीः। अप्राकृतैरेव परैः पुरुषैः पुरुषर्षभैः॥३५॥
Śrī Nārada said: King, these daughters of yours are directly forms of Lakṣmī. They must be joined only with supreme, supramundane men, the finest of all persons.
Passage 36
ऊह्याः पाणिग्रहेणेति पणं कुरु महीपते। इत्युक्त्वा प्रगते स्वर्गं देवर्षौ नारदाभिधे॥३६॥
Therefore establish a trial, lord of the earth, by which they may be taken in marriage. Having spoken thus, the divine sage Nārada departed for heaven.
Passage 37
पणं चक्रे स्वयं राजा कठिनं सुविचक्षणः। न्यस्तं मम गृहे साक्षाद्धनुः शम्भोर्दुरासदम्॥३७॥
The discerning king himself set a difficult trial: “In my house rests the formidable bow of Śambhu.”
Passage 38
य एतद्रोपयेद्वीरो स एता उद्वहिष्यति। इति ढक्कारवं लोके वादयामास मैथिलः॥३८॥
“The hero who strings it shall marry these daughters.” The lord of Mithilā had this proclamation sounded through the world by drum.
Passage 39
ततो देशाधिपाः सर्वे राजानः समुपागताः। पूर्वदक्षिणपाश्चात्त्या उत्तरत्रनिवासिनः॥३९॥
Then all the kings and rulers of lands arrived—from the east, south, west, and the regions of the north.
Passage 40
स्वयंवरे तु सीताया जातः कोलाहलो महान्। आगच्छद्भिर्महीपालैर्नानादेशनिवासिभिः॥४०॥
A tremendous commotion arose at Sītā's svayaṃvara as rulers dwelling in many different lands came together.
Passage 41
महान्तं रवमाकर्ण्य मिथिलायां स्वयंवरे। महोत्सवं च भूपानां राजा दशरथोऽब्रवीत्। रामं त्रिभुवनारामं गुणरत्नमहाकरम्॥४१॥
Hearing the great clamor of Mithilā's svayaṃvara and the kings' magnificent festival, King Daśaratha addressed Rāma, delight of the three worlds and great mine of jewel-like virtues.
Passage 42
राजोवाच— उपस्थितोऽयं सुमहानुत्सवो मिथिलापुरे। वीरस्वयंवरोत्साहे सीतायाः सुमनोहरे॥४२॥
The king said: This splendid festival has arisen in Mithilā city, a delightful heroic svayaṃvara held for Sītā.
Passage 43
यूयं रविकुलोद्भूता रघुवंश्याः कुमारकाः। कथं न गच्छत परं तत्र सीतास्वयंवरे॥४३॥
You princes are born in the solar race and belong to Raghu's line. How could you not go to Sītā's excellent svayaṃvara?
Passage 44
वीरकृत्यमिदं तावज्जगत्यां पर्युपस्थितम्। शिवचापारोपणाय जनकेन कृतः पणः॥४४॥
A deed worthy of heroes now presents itself in the world: Janaka has established the trial of stringing Śiva's bow.
Passage 45
मैथिली तत्र लाभो वै जनकेन्द्रसुता परा। श्रूयते सहजा देवी चतुर्धासीत् तद्गृहे॥४५॥
The prize there is the supreme daughter of King Janaka, Maithilī herself. It is said that Goddess Sahajā became fourfold in his house.
Passage 46
ब्रह्मादीनां सुरेन्द्राणां मुखेभ्यो यन्मया श्रुतम्। चतुर्धा श्रीः स्वयं जाता जनकेन्द्रस्य वेश्मनि॥४६॥
I have heard from the mouths of Brahmā and the other lords of the gods that Śrī herself was born fourfold in King Janaka's dwelling.
Passage 47
चतुर्धा मद्गृहेऽप्यद्धा जातो रामचन्द्रः स्वयम्। भवानेकः स्वयं रामस्त्रयोऽमी लक्ष्मणादयः॥४७॥
In my own house too Rāmacandra himself was truly born fourfold: you are Rāma himself, and these other three begin with Lakṣmaṇa.
Passage 48
एतद्युक्ततमं मन्ये विधिनैवोपपादितम्। मन्ये जातमिदं कार्यं रघुवंशसुमङ्गलम्॥४८॥
I consider this the most fitting arrangement, brought about by Providence itself. I believe this undertaking has arisen for the great good fortune of Raghu's line.
Passage 49
अत्र प्रयतनीयं वै भवद्भिः कृतनिश्चयैः। एवंविधे वै विषये शूराणां सुमहोत्सवः॥४९॥
All of you should apply yourselves here with firm resolve, for a challenge of this kind is a magnificent festival for heroes.
Passage 50
तत्र गत्वा समारोप्य हरकार्मुकमुत्तमम्। कण्ठे निक्षेपय श्रीमन् सीतास्वयंवरस्रजम्॥५०॥
Go there and string Hara's supreme bow, glorious Rāma; then receive around your neck the wedding garland of Sītā's svayaṃvara.
Passage 51
इत्थं नृपतिना रामस्तत्क्षणे प्रतिबोधितः। अङ्गीचकार सहसा मुखदाक्षिण्यमात्रतः॥५१॥
Thus instructed by the king, Rāma immediately assented, if only out of gracious regard for his father's face.
Passage 52
किन्तु संस्मार तां नित्यां स्वात्मशक्तिमनन्यधीः। प्रमोदवनलीलानामीश्वरीं सहजेश्वरीम्॥५२॥
Yet with undivided mind he remembered eternal Sahajeśvarī, his own inner power and sovereign of all the līlās of Pramodavana.
Passage 53
इमं वृत्तं समाकर्ण्य सा मे किं नु वदिष्यति। तस्याः कटाक्षवशगो वेपामि स्वात्मना ह्यहम्॥५३॥
“What will she say when she hears of this? Subject to her sidelong glance, I tremble in my very being.”
Passage 54
हृदये मम सा नित्यं वसत्येव न संशयः। अद्य प्रमोदविपिने सा मे किं नु करिष्यति॥५४॥
“She certainly dwells forever in my heart. What will she do to me today in Pramodavana?”
Passage 55
इति चिन्तासमाविष्टो न सुष्वाप दिवानिशम्। अन्येद्युः सरयूपारे स्वरहस्यस्थलीं प्रति॥५५॥
Absorbed in this worry, he slept neither day nor night. The next day he went across the Sarayū toward his secret meeting place.
Passage 56
जगाम यत्र सहजां नित्यं रमयति स्वयम्। एतद्धि वृत्तं रामस्य नायोध्यावासिभिर्जनैः॥५६॥
He went where he eternally delights Sahajā himself. This private conduct of Rāma was unknown to the residents of Ayodhyā.
Passage 57
ज्ञातं सखिभिश्चापि ऋते श्रीलक्ष्मणं प्रभुम्। तत्रासौ रममाणोऽपि दृष्टः सहजया स्फुटम्॥५७॥
Even the companions did not know it, apart from Lord Śrī Lakṣmaṇa. Although Rāma was engaged in play there, Sahajā clearly saw his unease.
Passage 58
उद्विग्न इव चित्तेन पितुराज्ञां स्मरन् मुहुः। तदा सहजया प्रोक्तः सविलासमुदारया॥५८॥
He appeared anxious at heart and repeatedly recalled his father's command. Then noble Sahajā spoke to him with playful grace.
Passage 59
उद्विग्न इव हे कान्त लक्ष्यसेऽद्य कुतो मया। आविष्ट इव शोकेन केनापि धर्षितो यथा॥५९॥
Beloved, why do you seem distressed to me today, as though overcome by grief and assailed by something unseen?
Passage 60
एतद्ध्यनुचितं भर्तुः स्वतन्त्रेच्छस्य ते प्रभोः। एतन्मूलमहं नाथ पृच्छामि त्वां विशेषतः॥६०॥
Such distress is unfitting for you, my sovereign husband whose will is free. Therefore, Lord, I ask you directly for its cause.
Passage 61
श्रीराम उवाच— अहं त्वद्वशगो नित्यं सहजानन्दिनीश्वरि। सीतास्वयंवरं गन्तुमुक्तः पित्रा न संशयः॥६१॥
Śrī Rāma said: Sovereign Sahajānandinī, I am eternally subject to you. Yet my father has unquestionably ordered me to attend Sītā's svayaṃvara.
Passage 62
आवयोश्च रहःप्रेम ज्ञायते नेतरैर्जनैः। प्राकृतैर्लोकधर्मज्ञैरप्राकृतमनुत्तमम्॥६२॥
Our unsurpassed, supramundane, secret love is unknown to ordinary people who understand only the world's conventions.
Passage 63
अतोऽहमुन्मना वृत्तः पितुराज्ञानपायिनी। अनपायि च ते प्रेम कथमन्यां समुद्वहे॥६३॥
Therefore I have become distraught. My father's command cannot be set aside, yet my love for you never departs—how can I marry another?
Passage 64
स्वप्नेऽपि नेतरां जाने त्वां विना सहजेश्वरि। पाशारज्जुरुभयतः पतिता मे न संशयः॥६४॥
Sahajeśvarī, even in a dream I know no other woman apart from you. I have certainly been caught between ropes binding me from both sides.
Passage 65
इति श्रुत्वा प्रियवचः सहजा प्रत्युवाच तम्। ईषत्स्मितरुचिज्योत्स्नादीपिताक्रीडमण्डपा॥६५॥
Hearing her beloved's words, Sahajā replied, the play pavilion illumined by the moonlight of her gently radiant smile.
Passage 66
श्रीसहजोवाच— जनकस्य गृहे साक्षादहमेवाजनि प्रभो। कर्तुं बहुतरा लीलास्त्वया साकं रघूद्वह॥६६॥
Śrī Sahajā said: Lord of Raghu's line, I myself was born directly in Janaka's house to perform many more līlās together with you.
Passage 67
त्वं चैव प्रमोदविपिनादवतीर्णो रघोः कुले। अवतीर्णाहमपि वै निमिचन्द्रकुले तदा॥६७॥
You descended from Pramodavana into Raghu's lineage, and I likewise descended at that time into the illustrious line of Nimi.
Passage 68
उपासकः स मे राजा महिष्या सह योगवित्। पुत्रीभावमतः प्राप्ता चतुर्धा तद्गृहेऽस्म्यहम्॥६८॥
That king, together with his queen, is my worshiper and a knower of yoga. Therefore I have entered his house fourfold in the relationship of a daughter.
Passage 69
प्रथमां तु भवान् वोढा द्वितीयां लक्ष्मणः स्वयम्। तृतीयां भरतः श्रीमांश्चतुर्थीं शत्रुसूदनः॥६९॥
You will marry the first; Lakṣmaṇa himself the second; glorious Bharata the third; and Śatrusūdana the fourth.
Passage 70
इत्येवमात्मनोऽंशैस्त्वं चतुर्भिर्भूरिविक्रमैः। कर्ता पाणिग्रहं नाथ तन्ममैव सुमङ्गलम्॥७०॥
Thus, Lord, through your four greatly valiant manifestations you will perform the four marriages, and that itself is my highest good fortune.
Passage 71
न जातु कश्चिदन्यस्तां वोढा सीतां स्वयं श्रियम्। अवतीर्णां विलासार्थं मदभिन्नस्वरूपिणीम्॥७१॥
No one else could ever marry Sītā, who is Śrī herself, descended for līlā and non-different in nature from me.
Passage 72
स वै राजा निमिवंश्यो ज्ञाननिष्ठो दृढव्रतः। योगी ब्रह्मविदां श्रेष्ठो भक्तिकामो बभूव ह॥७२॥
That king of Nimi's line is firm in knowledge and resolute in vow, a yogin foremost among knowers of Brahman who longs for devotion.
Passage 73
तस्य भक्तिकलां पूर्णां कर्तुं प्रमुदकाननात्। अवतीर्णा स्वयमहं स्वांशेनैव स्वरूपतः॥७३॥
To perfect the measure of his devotion, I myself descended from the forest of delight through my own portion and essential form.
Passage 74
इति विज्ञाय भगवन् सीतामुद्वह निश्चितम्। रमयिष्याम्यहं तेन स्वरूपेण सदा प्रिय॥७४॥
Knowing this, Bhagavān, marry Sītā without hesitation. Beloved, I shall always delight you through that form.
Passage 75
प्रमोदकानने चाहं स्वरूपेण व्यवस्थिता। स्वयं श्रीसहजानाम्ना रासलीलारतास्मि च॥७५॥
At the same time I remain in Pramodavana in my own essential form, bearing the name Śrī Sahajā and absorbed in rāsa-līlā.
Passage 76
रामचन्द्ररसिकेन नित्यं साकेतगास्मि च। इति निश्चित्य मां कान्त सर्वत्र त्वत्स्वरूपगाम्॥७६॥
With Rāmacandra the connoisseur of rasa I dwell eternally in Sāketa as well. Beloved, know me in this way to accompany your own form everywhere.
Passage 77
लीलां विस्तारय स्वैरं न वै शङ्कितुमर्हसि। इत्थं प्रबोधितो रामो लीलामध्ये स्वयं श्रिया॥७७॥
Expand your līlā freely; you have no reason to doubt. Thus Rāma was awakened to understanding by Śrī herself in the midst of their play.
Passage 78
सीतासमुद्वाहविधौ शङ्कां तत्याज राघवः। ततः साकेतनगरे स मागत्य स्वयं प्रभुः॥७८॥
Rāghava abandoned every doubt about marrying Sītā. The Lord then returned to Sāketa city.
Passage 79
सोत्कण्ठोऽतितरां जातो जानक्यास्तत्स्वयंवरे। अथाजगाम राजर्षिर्विश्वामित्रो महातपाः॥७९॥
He became intensely eager for Jānakī's svayaṃvara. Then the greatly ascetic royal sage Viśvāmitra arrived.
Passage 80
श्रीरामं यज्ञरक्षायै नेतुं स्वाश्रमकाननम्। स विज्ञाप्य महाराजं स्तुत्या दशरथं मुनिः॥८०॥
The sage petitioned and praised King Daśaratha so that he might take Śrī Rāma to his forest hermitage to protect the sacrifice.
Passage 81
निन्ये सलक्ष्मणं रामं स्वाश्रमयज्ञवाटिकाम्। रामं स शिक्षयामास विद्यां शस्त्रास्त्रगोचराम्॥८१॥
He took Rāma with Lakṣmaṇa to the sacrificial enclosure of his hermitage and taught Rāma the sciences governing weapons and divine missiles.
Passage 82
धनुर्वेदं सहोपाङ्गं सरहस्यं समन्त्रकम्। सप्रयोगं ससंहारं सक्रमं समशिक्षयत्॥८२॥
He taught the Dhanurveda with its subsidiary disciplines, secrets, and mantras, including deployment, withdrawal, and their proper sequence.
Passage 83
वायव्यं वारुणं दिव्यमाग्नेयं रौद्रमेव च। ब्राह्मं नारायणं चास्त्रं सर्वमेवोपपादयत्॥८३॥
He bestowed every missile: those of Wind, Varuṇa, Fire, and Rudra, as well as the Brahmā and Nārāyaṇa weapons.
Passage 84
तमाचार्यमनुप्राप्य स्वयं रामः सलक्ष्मणः। वीरः शस्त्रास्त्रविद्यानां पारगामी बभूव सः॥८४॥
Receiving him as teacher, Rāma together with Lakṣmaṇa became a heroic master who had crossed to the far shore of weapon-lore.
Passage 85
एवं शिक्षितसर्वास्त्रं राममक्षुण्णविक्रमम्। नियोज्य यज्ञरक्षायै यज्ञौघान् समपूरयत्॥८५॥
Having trained Rāma in every missile and finding his valor unbroken, the sage appointed him to guard the sacrifice and completed the whole series of rites.
Passage 86
स जघान मखे विघ्नान् दैत्यरूपान् दुरासदान्। महोद्धतान् सुविक्रान्तान् दैत्यमायाविशारदान्॥८६॥
At the sacrifice Rāma slew the formidable obstructors in demonic form—arrogant, powerfully valiant, and expert in demonic illusion.
Passage 87
तान् घातयित्वा गाधेयो रामेण धन्वपाणिना। इष्ट्वा बहुविधैर्यज्ञैः कृतकार्यो बभूव ह॥८७॥
Once Rāma the bow-bearer had slain them, Gādhi's son performed many kinds of sacrifice and fulfilled his purpose.
Passage 88
स निन्ये मिथिलां रामं सीतावीरस्वयंवरे। जनकस्यालयो यत्र विभाति श्रीभरोन्नतः॥८८॥
He led Rāma to Mithilā for Sītā's heroic svayaṃvara, where Janaka's palace shone, exalted by its burden of splendor.
Passage 89
विलोक्य मिथिलालक्ष्मीं मुमुदेह सलक्ष्मणः। रामः स्वयं तदा जज्ञौ रमाया नित्यसंनिधिम्॥८९॥
Seeing the beauty and prosperity of Mithilā, Rāma rejoiced with Lakṣmaṇa and recognized the eternal presence of his beloved Ramā there.
Passage 90
पद्मोत्पलसुगन्धीनि सरांसि विपिनानि च। गुञ्जद्भ्रमरजुष्टानि पुष्पितद्रुमभाञ्जि च॥९०॥
Its lakes and groves were fragrant with lotuses, frequented by humming bees, and filled with flowering trees.
Passage 91
राजमार्गा विपणयः प्रासादा धनिनां गृहाः। स्वर्णमाणिक्यरत्नौघनिर्मिता गृहदीपिकाः॥९१॥
Royal roads, marketplaces, palaces, and the houses of the wealthy shone like lamps, built from masses of gold, rubies, and gems.
Passage 92
मदोद्धताश्च मातङ्गा रणद्घण्टानिनादिनः। शिक्षकैः सुविनीताश्च हया नाध्वविनोदिताः॥९२॥
Proud elephants resounded with their martial bells, while horses well disciplined by trainers delighted the road.
Passage 93
इत्यादि श्रीभरेर्नद्धा मनोमोदविधायिनी। नैम्यस्य शुशुभेऽत्यर्थं राजधानी दिवानिशम्॥९३॥
Richly adorned with these and countless other forms of splendor, Nimi's capital delighted the mind and shone exceedingly day and night.
Passage 94
मुमुदाते च तां वीक्ष्य भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ। गाधिसूनुमनुश्रुत्य जनकः पुरमागतम्॥९४॥
The brothers Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa rejoiced on seeing it. Janaka then heard that Gādhi's son had entered the city.
Passage 95
अग्रहीदभिसंगम्य पदानि खलु भूरिशः। वने चोपवने पुर्यां राजमार्गेषु वेश्मसु॥९५॥
He went out to meet him and repeatedly clasped the sage's feet. In forest, garden, city, royal streets, and houses—
Passage 96
सीतास्वयंवरोत्साहो मूर्तिमान् समदृश्यत। नवापि निधयस्तत्र मूर्तिमन्तः सुसंगताः॥९६॥
—the excitement of Sītā's svayaṃvara seemed embodied, and all nine treasures appeared there together in visible form.
Passage 97
त्रैलोक्ये वितता लक्ष्मीरेकत्रैव व्यदृश्यत। तत्तत्कुतूहलं राजा गाधेयाय प्रदर्शयत्॥९७॥
All the prosperity spread throughout the three worlds appeared gathered in one place, and the king showed each marvel to Gādhi's son.
Passage 98
प्रवेशयामास गृहं कुमारौ च सुलक्षणौ। तौ विनीततमौ नत्वा किशोरौ लोकमञ्जुलौ॥९८॥
He brought the two auspicious princes into the palace. Those supremely courteous youths, enchantments of the world, bowed before him.
Passage 99
चिरं जीवतमित्यूचे मन्मनोरथपूर्तये। इमौ रघुकुलोत्तंसौ राज्ञो दशरथस्य हि॥९९॥
“Live long,” Janaka said, feeling his cherished wish approach fulfillment. “These two are ornaments of Raghu's line and sons of King Daśaratha.”
Passage 100
कुमारौ नयनानन्दौ चतुर्णां द्वौ शिरोमणी। इतोऽनुजौ यौ श्रीमन्तौ भरतारिनिषूदनौ॥१००॥
These princes delight the eyes and are the two foremost among four brothers; their glorious younger brothers are Bharata and the destroyer of foes, Śatrughna.
Passage 101
तावलं कुरुते देशं यत्र राजा रघूद्वहः। इमौ मन्मखरक्षायां प्रवीणौ सुधनुर्धरौ॥१०१॥
That land is amply adorned where the king is a bearer of Raghu's line. These two are expert, fine bowmen in guarding my sacrifice.
Passage 102
आगतौ तव भाग्येन अस्मिन् वीरस्वयंवरे। इत्युक्त्वा गाधितनयो याज्ञवल्क्यादिकान् मुनीन्॥१०२॥
By your good fortune they have come to this heroic svayaṃvara. Having said this, Gādhi's son turned to Yājñavalkya and the other sages—
Passage 103
सभास्तारान् पृथङ्नत्वा विश्रान्तो जनकालये। जनको राममालोक्य नवेन्दीवरकोमलम्॥१०३॥
—bowed separately to those stars of the assembly, and rested in Janaka's palace. Janaka beheld Rāma, tender as a fresh blue lotus.
Passage 104
रुद्रचापसमारोपे संदिहान इवाभवत्। रामः प्रदर्शयामास माधुर्यं स्वस्वरूपगम्॥१०४॥
He seemed doubtful about Rāma's ability to string Rudra's bow. Rāma displayed to him the sweetness inherent in his own form.
Passage 105
जनकाय नरेन्द्राय लोकोत्तरगुणाकरः। स तस्य रूपमाधुर्यं सौन्दर्यगुणशीलताम्॥१०५॥
To King Janaka he was a mine of qualities beyond this world. Seeing Rāma's beauty of form, loveliness, virtues, and character—
Passage 106
वीक्ष्य मेने स्वकन्याया योग्यं वरमनुत्तमम्। तावद्रामो गुरोराज्ञां गाधेयस्य महामुनेः॥१०६॥
—he considered him the incomparable bridegroom worthy of his daughter. At that moment Rāma received the command of his guru, the great sage Gādheya—
Passage 107
अनुप्राप्य धनुः शम्भोरारोपयितुमुद्यतः। यावदारोपयेद् धन्वा तावद्बाहुबलोर्जितः॥१०७॥
—and rose to string Śambhu's bow. The moment he would draw it, impelled by the strength of his arms—
Passage 108
बभञ्ज रघुशार्दूलश्चण्डीपतिशरासनम्। तस्य संभज्यमानस्य धनुषो विकटारवः॥१०८॥
—the tiger of Raghu's line broke the bow of Caṇḍī's Lord. The terrific crash of that bow as it broke—
Passage 109
दिक्कुञ्जराणां कर्णेषु विश्रान्तोऽतिभयानकः। शब्दव्याकुलिते लोके उत्पात इव चाभवत्॥१०९॥
—came to rest in the ears of the elephants of the quarters, utterly fearsome. With the world bewildered by the sound, it seemed a cosmic upheaval.
Passage 110
सीतारामवरप्राप्त्या मङ्गलं चाभवत्पुनः। ततः सीता सखीवृन्दमध्यगा हर्षनिर्भरा॥११०॥
Yet it became auspicious through Sītā attaining Rāma as her bridegroom. Then Sītā, amid her circle of companions and filled with joy—
Passage 111
अवृणोद् रामभर्तारं कण्ठे जाम्बूनदस्रजा। यावन्तो वसुधापाला महाराजन्यपुङ्गवाः॥१११॥
—chose Rāma as her husband and placed a garland of river-gold around his neck. As many rulers of the earth and foremost princes as there were—
Passage 112
समन्ताज्जनकागारं बाणरावणपूर्वगाः। तावन्तो विफलायासा बभूवुः शिवधन्वनि॥११२॥
—gathered around Janaka's palace, headed by Bāṇa and Rāvaṇa, all had labored fruitlessly before Śiva's bow.
Passage 113
अलमस्मिन् चैव रामेण कन्याकीर्तिर्जयस्तथा। उवाह विधिवद् रामः सीतां सहपरिच्छदाम्॥११३॥
Rāma alone proved equal to it; the maiden, fame, and victory were his. Following the prescribed rite, Rāma married Sītā together with her attendants.
Passage 114
दत्तां जनकराजेन पाणिग्रहणकर्मणा। तत्राभ्युपेतो राजेन्द्रो राजा दशरथः स्वयम्॥११४॥
Janaka gave her to him through the rite of taking the hand. King Daśaratha himself, lord of kings, had arrived there—
Passage 115
तनयौ सुसमादाय भरतारिनिषूदनौ। ततः प्रसन्नो जनकः कन्यास्तिस्रः सुलोचनाः॥११५॥
—bringing his sons Bharata and the destroyer of foes. Then delighted Janaka took his three beautiful-eyed maidens—
Passage 116
प्रददौ लक्ष्मणादिभ्यो मनोवाञ्छानिराकुलः। एवं सम्प्राप्तसर्वार्थो बभूव जनको नृपः॥११६॥
—and gave them to Lakṣmaṇa and the others, his heart's desire now free of anxiety. Thus King Janaka attained every aim.
Passage 117
विवाहोत्सवयोग्यानि वसूनि बहु दत्तवान्। यथा कीर्तिं जगुर्देवा औदार्यादिति भूपतेः॥११७॥
He gave abundant treasures fit for the wedding festival, so that the gods sang the king's fame for his generosity.
Passage 118
भूतानि चैव भावीनि यावन्ति भुवनत्रये। विवाहोत्सवयोग्यानि वर्तमानानि चैव हि॥११८॥
All wedding-festival splendors in the three worlds—those of the past, the future, and indeed the present—
Passage 119
सीताविवाहसौख्यस्य कलां नार्हन्ति षोडशीम्। देवा गन्धर्वपतयो नागाश्चैव नगास्तथा॥११९॥
—do not equal a sixteenth part of the joy of Sītā's wedding. Gods, lords of Gandharvas, Nāgas, and mountains—
Passage 120
नरा नार्यश्च सौख्येन बभूवुः पूर्णमानसाः। राजा दशरथः पुत्रान् दारैः संयोज्य सश्रमी॥१२०॥
—men and women alike were filled to the heart with happiness. King Daśaratha, having united his sons with their wives and wearied from the ceremonies—
Passage 121
बहुलक्ष्मीसमायुक्तः साकेतपुरमागमत्। धनुर्भङ्गरुषाक्रान्तं भार्गवं रामचन्द्रमाः॥१२१॥
—returned to Sāketa city endowed with abundant splendor. Rāmacandra then met Bhārgava, who was consumed by rage at the breaking of the bow.
Passage 122
हृत्वा स्वांशं शुद्धसत्त्वं नाभयामास जीववत्। तदद्भुततमं नास्ति पूर्णे श्रीपुरुषोत्तमे॥१२२॥
Taking back his own pure-sattva portion from him, Rāma left him alive and free of fear. For complete Śrī Puruṣottama, that feat was not extraordinary.
Passage 123
ज्योतींषि न प्रकाशन्ते यथाह्नि महसां पतौ। तथैवांशाः कलाश्चैव पूर्णे सर्वकलाश्रये॥१२३॥
Just as the lights do not shine by day when the lord of radiance is present, so his portions and partial manifestations do not shine in the complete refuge of every kalā.
Passage 124
सहजानन्दिनीनाथे स्वानुभावं न विभ्रति। भूमितलं भूषयति रामे सर्वकलाश्रये॥१२४॥
They do not bear their own influence before the Lord of Sahajānandinī. When Rāma, the refuge of every kalā, adorns the earth—
Passage 125
श्रीमान् वैकुण्ठनाथोऽपि निष्प्रयोजनतां गतः। सर्वं प्रयोजनं चक्रे राम एव स्वयं प्रभुः॥१२५॥
—even glorious Vaikuṇṭha's Lord becomes purposeless; Rāma himself, the Lord, accomplishes every divine purpose.
Passage 126
स एवेन्द्रो यमश्चापि वरुणश्च कुबेरकः। ईशो ब्रह्मा रविश्चापि सर्वदेवमयोऽभवत्॥१२६॥
He himself became Indra and Yama, Varuṇa and Kubera, Śiva, Brahmā, and the Sun—the embodiment of all gods.
Passage 127
सर्वेषां कार्यमातेने स्वयमेव रघूद्वहः। सर्वसत्तामयी सत्ता राम एव प्रतिष्ठिता॥१२७॥
The bearer of Raghu's line himself undertook every one of their functions. The power composed of all existence is established in Rāma alone.
Passage 128
एवं नित्यश्रिया साक्षात् सीतया सहितः प्रभुः। आजगाम स्वबन्धूनामानन्दं जनयन् पुरीम्॥१२८॥
Thus the Lord, visibly accompanied by Sītā, his eternal Śrī, entered the city, awakening joy among his relatives.
Passage 129
राजा महामनाश्चक्रे महान्तं भृशमुत्सवम्। गृहप्रवेशसमये वरवध्वोः शुभावहम्॥१२९॥
At the bride and groom's house-entry, the great-hearted king held a vast festival full of auspiciousness.
Passage 130
सिद्धगन्धर्ववर्येभ्यश्चारणेभ्यः समन्ततः। नर्तकेभ्यो गायकेभ्यो धनं बहुतरं ददौ॥१३०॥
He gave abundant wealth in every direction to the foremost Siddhas and Gandharvas, Cāraṇas, dancers, and singers.
Passage 131
महाशया महाराज्ञी कौसल्या विहितोत्सवा। कैकेयी च सुमित्रा च पुत्रोद्वाहमहोत्सवे॥१३१॥
The noble chief queen Kausalyā, and Kaikeyī and Sumitrā as well, arranged the great celebration for their sons' weddings.
Passage 132
पुरन्ध्रीभ्योऽथ बन्धुभ्यः संगताभ्यः समन्ततः। परमानन्दमातेने वासोभूषणभोजनैः॥१३२॥
With garments, ornaments, and food they brought supreme joy to the assembled married women and relatives from every side.
Passage 133
आशिषस्ताः स्त्रियः साध्व्यः प्रायुञ्जन् गुणवत्तराः। प्रसन्नचित्ताः प्रययुः स्वानि स्वानि गृहाणि च॥१३३॥
Those virtuous women of excellent qualities offered blessings; then, pleased at heart, they returned to their respective homes.
Passage 134
चतुर्लक्ष्मीस्वरूपा सा रेजे जनकनन्दिनी। नवोद्वाहमहोत्साहमहामाङ्गल्यभूषिता॥१३४॥
Janaka's daughter shone as the form of fourfold Lakṣmī, adorned with the great auspiciousness and exhilaration of the new wedding.
Passage 135
चत्वारो भ्रातरस्ताभिः श्रीभिः शोभान्विता बभुः। यथा कल्पद्रुमवराः कल्पवल्लीभिरन्विताः॥१३५॥
The four brothers, beautified by those Śrīs, shone like excellent wish-fulfilling trees entwined by wish-fulfilling vines.
Passage 136
जगदानन्दनिधयः कल्याणगुणभूषिताः। अलंचक्रुः पितुर्गेहान् श्रीरामाद्याः स्वरूपतः॥१३६॥
Treasuries of the world's joy and adorned with auspicious virtues, Śrī Rāma and the others graced their father's homes through their very forms.
Passage 137
तास्वागतासु लक्ष्मीषु साकेतनगरी भृशम्। रराजारण्यराजीव वसन्तसमयश्रिया॥१३७॥
When those Lakṣmīs arrived, Sāketa city shone intensely, like a line of forests with springtime splendor.
Passage 138
द्यौरिवेन्दुरुचा रेजे राज्यलक्ष्मीर्महीपतेः। सर्वसम्पन्मयं सद्म राज्यलक्ष्म्या न तादृशम्॥१३८॥
The king's royal fortune shone like the sky with the moon's radiance. No dwelling composed of every prosperity, graced by royal fortune, was such—
Passage 139
यादृशं शुशुभे ताभिः साक्षाल्लक्ष्मीभिरन्वितम्। ततो दिनेषु गच्छत्सु सर्वसाम्राज्यसम्पदि॥१३९॥
—as the one that shone accompanied by those embodied Lakṣmīs. As the days then passed amid all imperial prosperity—
Passage 140
यौवराज्यपदे रामं स्थापयामास भूपतिः। समेतो भ्रातृभिः सर्वैर्युवराजपदे स्थितः॥१४०॥
—the king installed Rāma in the office of heir apparent. Surrounded by all his brothers, he took his place as crown prince.
Passage 141
पितुः सर्वं राज्यधुरमवहज्जानकीपतिः। सर्वाः प्रजामुमुदिरे सर्वर्द्धिफलसंयुताः॥१४१॥
Jānakī's Lord bore the entire burden of his father's kingdom, and all the subjects rejoiced, endowed with the fruits of every prosperity.
Passage 142
यौवराज्यस्थिते रामे नवीना श्रीरवर्तत। त्रैलोक्यमवहद्दोर्भिर्विभूतिं परमां श्रियम्॥१४२॥
With Rāma established as crown prince, fresh splendor prevailed; he bore the three worlds upon his arms together with supreme power and glory.
Passage 143
सीतादृष्टिप्रसादेन बभौ सर्वत्र मङ्गलम्। यावती श्रीस्त्रिजगति सर्ववस्तुसमाश्रया॥१४३॥
By the grace of Sītā's glance, auspiciousness shone everywhere. All the Śrī in the three worlds, the support of every object—
Passage 144
एकत्र संस्थिता दृष्टा साकेतनगरे तु सा। वर्षपूगे ततो जाते रामे रञ्जयति प्रजाः॥१४४॥
—was seen gathered in one place, that Sāketa city. After a multitude of years passed while Rāma delighted the subjects—
Passage 145
वाञ्छा दशरथभूपस्य निजराज्याभिषेचने। ईदृशी महिषी भाग्ये लब्धा सीतास्ति यादृशी॥१४५॥
—King Daśaratha desired to consecrate him to his own throne: “By fortune he has obtained such a queen—Sītā, who is as she is.
Passage 146
त्रैलोक्यस्यैव भाग्येन रामो राजा भवेदिति। अथैकान्ते समासाद्य रामं राजीवलोचनम्। उवाच वचनं प्रीतो राजा दशरथः स्वयम्॥१४६॥
By the fortune of the three worlds, Rāma should become king.” Then, approaching lotus-eyed Rāma in private, King Daśaratha himself joyfully spoke these words.
Passage 147
राजोवाच— राम राम महाबाहो पितृपैतामहीं धुरम्। राज्यं श्रियं च परमां त्वं पालयितुमर्हसि॥१४७॥
The king said: Rāma, Rāma, mighty-armed one, you deserve to uphold the paternal and ancestral burden: the kingdom and its supreme prosperity.
Passage 148
प्रजानामेव भाग्येन दत्तस्त्वं वेधसा मम। न हीदृशो रघोर्वंशे भूतो वाथ भविष्यति॥१४८॥
By the subjects' own good fortune Brahmā gave you to me; none like you has been born in Raghu's line, nor will there be.
Passage 149
सर्वे गुणास्त्वयि प्राप्ताः स्वत एव समुन्नतिम्। श्रियं च परमां प्राप्तुमसाधारण्यमेव च॥१४९॥
All virtues in you have attained excellence of their own accord, and exceptional capacity to attain supreme Śrī as well.
Passage 150
नेत्रानन्दसमूहाय प्रजानां भुवनत्रये। महामाङ्गल्यसंघाय त्वं हि राजा भविष्यति॥१५०॥
You will become king as a mass of delight for the eyes of the subjects across the three worlds, and as an assembly of the highest auspiciousness.
Passage 151
अंतस्त्वामभिषेक्ष्यामि राज्ये पैतामहेऽतुले। यौवराज्य एव भवान् सर्वां भूमिमरञ्जयत्॥१५१॥
Therefore I shall consecrate you to the incomparable ancestral kingdom. As crown prince you have delighted the whole earth.
Passage 152
भाग्येन चैव सौभाग्यैः प्रजेशस्त्वं भविष्यसि। युक्तश्च भ्रातृभिः सार्धं कृत्स्नं पाहि महीतलम्॥१५२॥
Through fortune and auspicious blessings you will become lord of the subjects. United with your brothers, protect the entire earth.
Passage 153
अहं स्वात्मरतिं राम तवार्थं परिसाधये। भवादृशे वंशधुर्ये सुमग्नो रूपसागरे॥१५३॥
Rāma, I shall attain delight in my own Self and fulfill your purpose, deeply immersed in the ocean of beauty in a bearer of the lineage such as you.
Passage 154
अहो भाग्यं सदास्माकं रघोर्वंशमुपेयुषाम्। यद्वार्धकेऽपि सुखेन गृहे स्वात्मजदर्शनम्॥१५४॥
Ah, perpetual fortune is ours who have entered Raghu's lineage: even in old age, happily at home, I see my own son.
Passage 155
इत्युक्तः प्रीतियुक्तेन राज्ञा दशरथेन सः। उवाच वदतां वर्यो रामः सुमधुरं वचः॥१५५॥
Thus addressed by loving King Daśaratha, Rāma, foremost of speakers, spoke very sweet words.
Passage 156
श्रीराम उवाच— वयं सनाथा भवता राजराजेन भूभृता। जननीमेव पश्येम महीमेतां महीपते॥१५६॥
Śrī Rāma said: Lord of earth, with you, king of kings, we have a protector. We should regard this earth itself as our mother.
Passage 157
तव प्रसादान्नृपते यौवराज्ये स्थितोऽस्म्यहम्। रञ्जयाम्येष जगतीं किं मे राज्यं ततोऽधिकम्॥१५७॥
By your grace, king, I am established as crown prince and delight this world; what kingship greater than that do I need?
Passage 158
वयं राजकुमाराः स्म भवान् पालयतु क्षितिम्। इतोऽधिकं सुखं नास्ति राज्यं भारः परं मम॥१५८॥
We are princes; may you govern the earth. There is no happiness greater than this, while kingship is a supreme burden for me.
Passage 159
इन्द्रं यमं तथैवापि वरुणं च धनाधिपम्। ईशानं चैव ब्रह्माणं तथान्यांश्च लोकपालकान्॥१५९॥
Indra, Yama, Varuṇa, Kubera, Īśāna, Brahmā, and the other guardians of the worlds—
Passage 160
यः स्यात् त्वदाज्ञारहितस्तमहं नामये क्षणात्। विक्रान्त्या त्वत्प्रसादाच्च शक्तोऽहं सर्वसाधने॥१६०॥
—any one of them who disregards your command I shall bring low in a moment. By my valor and your grace, I can accomplish everything.
Passage 161
भूयोऽश्वमेधं वितनु यज्ञान् कुरु सनातनान्। वर्षे वर्षे महाराजन् सुनु सोममुदारधीः॥१६१॥
Perform more Aśvamedhas and the ancient sacrifices. Year after year, great king, press Soma, noble-minded one.
Passage 162
पाहि प्रजा महीपाल विपद्भ्यः पुरुषाधिप। एवं नो वर्धय सुखं किं राज्येन ततोऽधिकम्॥१६२॥
Lord of men, protect the subjects from dangers. Increase our happiness in this way; what greater kingship is there?
Passage 163
इत्युक्तः स महीपालो रामेणाक्षुण्णबुद्धिना। शशास कानिचिद्वर्षाण्यवनीं धर्मवित्तमः॥१६३॥
Thus addressed by Rāma of unbroken intelligence, that ruler, foremost knower of dharma, governed the earth for some years.
Passage 164
ततो मुनीनामाज्ञातो देवेन्द्रस्य च धीमतः। रामराज्याभिषेकाय मतिं चक्रे महीपतिः॥१६४॥
Then, instructed by the sages and wise Indra, the king resolved to consecrate Rāma.
Passage 165
शुभे मुहूर्ते त्रिदशैः सकलैः सुमोदितः। श्वोभाविनोऽभिषेकस्य पूर्वं चक्रेऽधिवासनम्। यदा सा केकयसुता सख्या मन्त्रं चकार ह॥१६५॥
At an auspicious hour, delighted by all the gods, he performed the preliminary consecration for the coronation due the next day. Then the daughter of Kekaya held counsel with her companion.
Passage 166
कैकेय्युवाच— सखि जानामि रामोऽयं सर्वलोकैकरञ्जनः। प्रियो ममात्यन्तमेव मत्पुत्राद्भरतादपि॥१६६॥
Kaikeyī said: Friend, I know this Rāma to be the sole delight of all the worlds. He is dearer to me even than my son Bharata.
Passage 167
प्रजाश्चानुरताः सर्वा अस्मिन्नेव गुणालये। माधुर्यं चापि सौन्दर्यं गाम्भीर्यं वीर्यमेव च॥१६७॥
All the subjects are devoted to him alone, this abode of virtues. Sweetness, beauty, profundity, and valor—
Passage 168
औदार्यं सौकुमार्यं च सौशील्यं कान्तिरेव च। रामे लोकोत्तरं सर्वं पश्यामि जनरञ्जनम्॥१६८॥
—generosity, tenderness, noble conduct, and lustre: in Rāma I see everything transcending this world and delighting its people.
Passage 169
मत्सुतो भरतोऽप्यस्य नित्याज्ञापरिपालकः। अस्य भक्तिरसेनासौ किङ्कुरीकृतविग्रहः॥१६९॥
My son Bharata too perpetually obeys his every command; through the rasa of devotion to Rāma, his very form has been made a servant.
Passage 170
तृणवन्मन्यते सर्वं राज्यं स्वात्मानमेव वा। तथापि चानुतप्येऽहं रामराज्याभिषेचने॥१७०॥
He regards the entire kingdom, and even his own self, as straw. Yet I am troubled by Rāma's consecration as king.
Passage 171
विना मत्तनयं कुर्यात् कौसल्यातनयः कथम्। राज्यं सर्वस्य लोकस्य सपत्नीवृद्धिदुःखतः॥१७१॥
How can Kausalyā's son govern all the people without my son? This pain arises from the ascendancy of a co-wife.
Passage 172
तत्प्रतीकारमसकृन्नित्यं चित्ते विचारये। रामस्वभावमाधुर्यात् किन्तु नोपलभे सखि॥१७२॥
I constantly seek a remedy for it in my heart, friend, yet because of the sweetness of Rāma's nature I find none.
Passage 173
इत्युक्ता केकयाधीशकन्यया सा प्रिया सखी। स्मारयामास वै चित्ते वरं कालान्तरे वृतम्॥१७३॥
Thus addressed by the daughter of Kekaya's lord, her dear companion reminded her of a boon chosen long before.
Passage 174
सख्युवाच— किं न स्मरसि वै राज्ञि यद्राज्ञोऽङ्गुलिपर्वणि। वेदना महती जाता सद्यस्त्वं तामुपाचरः॥१७४॥
The companion said: Do you not remember, queen, when severe pain arose in the king's finger joint and you immediately treated it?
Passage 175
तदा राज्ञा वरो दत्तस्तुभ्यं कैकेयि दुर्लभः। इदानीं सखि याचस्व समयोऽयमुपस्थितः॥१७५॥
Then the king gave you a boon difficult to obtain. Ask for it now, friend; the time has come.
Passage 176
राज्याभिषेकं भरते वने निर्वासनं तथा। रामस्येति वचोबद्धं याचस्व नृपतेर्हठात्॥१७६॥
Insistently demand from the king, bound by his word, Bharata's consecration and Rāma's exile to the forest.
Passage 177
इति संस्मारिता सख्या कैकेयी भरतप्रसूः। तथैवायाचत नृपं वरं कालान्तरे वृतम्॥१७७॥
Thus reminded by her companion, Kaikeyī, Bharata's mother, asked the king for the boon she had chosen long before.
Passage 178
नृपः सत्यवचोबद्धः श्रुत्वा तत्कैकेयीवचः। भृशमुद्वेजितोऽप्यासीत्तूष्णीं शून्य इवान्तरे॥१७८॥
Bound to truth, the king heard Kaikeyī's words. Though profoundly agitated, he remained silent, as if empty within.
Passage 179
दृष्ट्वा चिन्तातुरं भूपं रामः संतुष्टमानसः। तदभिप्रायमाज्ञाय राजानं सुसमादधौ॥१७९॥
Seeing the king tormented by worry, Rāma remained content at heart; understanding his intention, he thoroughly reassured him.
Passage 180
श्रीराम उवाच— राजन् सत्यवचा भूपाः किं मे राज्येन भूयसा। गृहे वापि वने वापि तुल्यं प्रीतिसुखं मम॥१८०॥
Śrī Rāma said: King, rulers must be true to their word. What need have I of a vast kingdom? At home or in the forest, my joy of love is the same.
Passage 181
इत्येवं भूरिवाक्यौघैः संतोष्य नृपतिं हठात्। रामः प्रस्थातुमारेभे वनं भ्रात्रा स्त्रिया सह॥१८१॥
Firmly consoling the king with such a flood of words, Rāma prepared to depart for the forest with his brother and wife.
Passage 182
राज्ञो मातुश्चाप्रियं तत्सत्यवाक्स्थितिहेतवे। चकार भगवान् रामः सर्वत्र समदर्शनः॥१८२॥
To uphold the truth of the pledged word, Bhagavān Rāma, equal-seeing everywhere, did what was displeasing to the king and his mother.
Passage 183
राज्यं त्यक्त्वा पुराद्यातो वनं रामः सलक्ष्मणः। सीतया धर्मचारिण्या सहितो धर्मपालकः॥१८३॥
Renouncing the kingdom, Rāma left the city for the forest with Lakṣmaṇa. The protector of dharma was accompanied by Sītā, who walked in dharma.
Passage 184
यावत्त्रिरात्रं ते चक्रुर्जलमात्राशनं व्रतम्। चतुर्थे दिवसे प्राप्ते त्रयश्चक्रुः फलाशनम्॥१८४॥
For three nights they observed a vow of taking only water; when the fourth day arrived, the three ate fruit.
Passage 185
पञ्चमे दिवसे गङ्गां समुत्तीर्य रघूद्वहः। चित्रकूटाचले वासं चक्रे परमधार्मिकः॥१८५॥
On the fifth day, the supremely righteous bearer of Raghu's line crossed the Gaṅgā and made his dwelling on Mount Citrakūṭa.
Passage 186
भ्रातुः समागमभयात् कुर्वन् सत्यां गिरं पितुः। ततः प्रतस्थे भगवान् सीतालक्ष्मणसंयुतः॥१८६॥
Fearing reunion with his brother and making his father's word true, Bhagavān then departed together with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa.
Passage 187
पृष्ठबद्धमहातूणो धनुष्पाणिः कृपाणभृत्। महासौन्दर्यकलितो वनचारिभिरीक्षितः॥१८७॥
With a great quiver bound upon his back, bow in hand and bearing a sword, he was filled with magnificent beauty and beheld by the forest dwellers.
Passage 188
प्रविश्य घोरं विपिनं विराधाद्यान् प्रमर्दयन्। महापराक्रमो रामः प्राप्तः पञ्चवटीवनम्॥१८८॥
Entering the fearsome forest and crushing Virādha and the others, mighty Rāma reached the grove of Pañcavaṭī.
Passage 189
ततो गोदावरीतीरे रक्षन्नाश्रममण्डलान्। रक्षन् मुनींश्च दैत्येभ्यो रक्षोभ्यस्तत्र चावसत्॥१८९॥
There on the bank of the Godāvarī he dwelt, guarding the circles of hermitages and protecting sages from Daityas and Rākṣasas.
Passage 190
सार्धद्वादशवर्षेषु व्यतीतेषु वनस्थितौ। रक्षोनाथस्य भगिनी चक्रे विघ्नां च विश्रुतिम्॥१९०॥
After twelve and a half years had passed in forest life, the sister of the lord of the Rākṣasas caused the notorious disturbance.
Passage 191
तत्पृष्ठगान् राक्षसांश्च खरादीन् हतवान् सुधीः। क्षेमं च दण्डकारण्यं कृतवान् भुजवीर्यतः॥१९१॥
The wise hero slew the Rākṣasas who followed her, Khara and the others, and through the valor of his arms made Daṇḍakāraṇya secure.
Passage 192
चिक्रीडे दण्डकारण्ये सीतया सहितः प्रभुः। लक्ष्मणं वनरक्षायां नियुज्य परमोत्सवी॥१९२॥
The Lord played with Sītā in Daṇḍakāraṇya, appointing Lakṣmaṇa to guard the forest while he celebrated the supreme festival.
Passage 193
चक्रे रासविलासादीन् रामो गुप्ततया निशि। प्रमोदवनसामग्रीमाविर्भाव्य विशेषतः॥१९३॥
At night Rāma secretly performed rāsa-vilāsa and other līlās, especially manifesting the entire setting of Pramodavana.
Passage 194
ततो दशमुखः क्रुद्धः श्रुत्वा शूर्पणखादशाम्। मानुषेणैव रामेण किमिदं समनुष्ठितम्॥१९४॥
Then the ten-headed one, enraged on hearing of Śūrpaṇakhā's condition, thought, “How has merely human Rāma accomplished this?”
Passage 195
इति संचिन्त्य सातङ्को बभूव रक्षसां प्रभुः। ततस्तस्य प्रतिकृतिं कर्तुं हर्तुं च तत्प्रियाम्॥१९५॥
Thinking in this way, the lord of the Rākṣasas became alarmed. To retaliate against Rāma and abduct his beloved—
Passage 196
मारीचेन समं यातो मायादीर्घरथस्थितः। माघशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां वीक्ष्य शून्यं तमाश्रमम्॥१९६॥
—he went with Mārīca, riding a long magical chariot. On the fourteenth bright lunar day of Māgha, he saw the hermitage empty.
Passage 197
रावणस्तापसवपुर्भूत्वा भिक्षार्थमागतः। तं मायाविनमाज्ञाय सीता देवी मनस्विनी॥१९७॥
Rāvaṇa assumed an ascetic's form and came seeking alms. Recognizing that magician, the noble-minded goddess Sītā—
Passage 198
विवेश गार्हपत्याग्नौ रावणस्तमधर्षयत्। अग्निः सीतानुभावेन भूत्वा संवर्तकाग्निवत्॥१९८॥
—entered the household fire, while Rāvaṇa attempted to violate it. Through Sītā's power, the fire became like the cosmic fire of dissolution—
Passage 199
अतिमात्रं महाघोरस्वरूपो भक्षितुं स्थितः। दग्धुमुद्यन्तमनलं वीक्ष्य दुद्राव रावणः॥१९९॥
—immeasurably vast, assuming a most terrible form and poised to consume him. Seeing the blaze rise to burn him, Rāvaṇa fled.
Passage 200
सीताछायां समादाय जगाम गगनाध्वना। सा राक्षसकुलं दग्धुं कृत्यारूपव्यवस्थिता॥२००॥
Taking Sītā's shadow, he traveled along the path of the sky. She remained in the form of a Kṛtyā in order to burn the Rākṣasa clan.
Passage 201
छायारूपा समुद्भूय गता लङ्कां निजेच्छया। अथ रामस्तु मारीचं हत्वा मायिनमासुरम्॥२०१॥
The shadow form arose and went to Laṅkā by her own will. Then Rāma slew the magical Asura Mārīca—
Passage 202
समुपेत्य ततो वीरौ वीक्ष्य शून्यं तमाश्रमम्। वायसैश्चैव कङ्कैश्च तीक्ष्णतुण्डैः समावृतम्॥२०२॥
—and the two heroes returned to find the hermitage empty, surrounded by sharp-beaked crows and vultures.
Passage 203
विहीनं सीतया साध्व्या शोकाविष्टौ बभूवतुः। मूर्छितः प्रापतद्रामो धरण्यां गतचेतनः॥२०३॥
Deprived of virtuous Sītā, both were overcome by grief. Rāma fainted and fell unconscious upon the earth.
Passage 204
पय आनीय च ततो लक्ष्मणेन प्रबोधितः। भगवान् हेतुमनुजो रामः श्रीपुरुषोत्तमः॥२०४॥
Lakṣmaṇa then brought water and revived him. Bhagavān Rāma, Śrī Puruṣottama, had become human for a purpose—
Passage 205
अज्ञातचेष्टो मनुजैः प्राज्ञैरपि सुदुर्गमः। क्वचिज्ज्ञानी क्वचिन्मूढः क्वचिच्छोकसमावृतः॥२०५॥
—his conduct unknown to human beings and difficult even for the wise to fathom: at times knowing, at times bewildered, and at times engulfed by grief.
Passage 206
तूणीं सम्बद्ध्य बाणांश्च सज्जीकृत्य दृढं धनुः। सीतालोकाय बहुशो बभ्राम भ्रातृणा सह॥२०६॥
Binding on his quiver and arrows and readying his strong bow, he roamed far and wide with his brother in search of Sītā.
Passage 207
तरूँल्लताश्च गुल्मांश्च घनराजीन् वनस्पतीन्। पृच्छन् मुह्यन् मुहुर्वीरो बभ्राम बहुशोऽटवीम्॥२०७॥
Questioning trees, vines, thickets, dense groves, and forest plants, the hero repeatedly grew distraught and wandered widely through the wilderness.
Passage 208
दृष्टो जटायुरग्रे च कृतयुद्धोऽतिरक्षसा। सीतार्थं रहितप्राणः कण्ठजीवः पितुः सुहृत्॥२०८॥
Ahead he saw Jatāyu, his father's friend, who had fought the mighty Rākṣasa for Sītā's sake, bereft of strength and with life lingering only in his throat.
Passage 209
ततो वृत्तं समाकर्ण्य प्रियाचौरस्य रक्षसः। भ्रातृभ्यां विहितो दाहो मृतस्य वयसोऽस्य च॥२०९॥
After hearing the account of the Rākṣasa who had stolen his beloved, the brothers performed the cremation of that bird when he died.
Passage 210
चक्रे तस्यान्तिकं कर्म तातेति च रुरोद सः। हा तात हा पितृसख मदर्थं मृतवानसि॥२१०॥
Rāma performed his final rites and wept, crying “Father!” “Alas, father! Alas, my father's friend, you have died for my sake.”
Passage 211
अथातितायिनौ वीरौ भ्रातरौ सुहृदो च तौ। रावणेन रणोद्युक्तौ बभूवतुरुदायुधौ॥२११॥
The two heroic brothers, devoted friends and now avengers, raised their weapons and became intent on battle with Rāvaṇa.
Passage 212
कुपितो लक्ष्मणं राम उवाच विरहातुरः। जाया मे जीवति यदा तदा जीवतु वै जगत्॥२१२॥
Enraged and tormented by separation, Rāma said to Lakṣmaṇa: “If my wife still lives, then let the world live.
Passage 213
न चेत् सेश्वरं लोकं भस्मीकर्तुमहं क्षमः। समुद्रं शोषयिष्यामि धक्ष्यामि धरणीमिमाम्॥२१३॥
If not, I am capable of reducing the world with its Lord to ash. I shall dry up the ocean and burn this earth.
Passage 214
त्रैलोक्यं नाशयिष्यामि सदेवासुरमानुषम्। इत्थं भयानकवचा ब्रूते रामः सदा वने॥२१४॥
I shall destroy the three worlds together with gods, Asuras, and human beings.” Thus Rāma spoke fearsome words in the forest.
Passage 215
लक्ष्मणस्तमुवाचाथ प्रणयाद्विहिताञ्जलिः। आर्यैवं भवतो वाक्यं श्रुत्वाहं सभयोऽस्मि च॥२१५॥
Then Lakṣmaṇa, joining his palms out of love, said to him: “Noble brother, hearing such words from you, I too am afraid.
Passage 216
भूमिः प्रचलिता सद्यो जलधिश्च समुत्थितः। मेरुश्च कम्पितोऽत्यर्थं देवताश्च चकम्पिरे॥२१६॥
The earth has suddenly trembled, the ocean has risen, Mount Meru has shaken violently, and the gods themselves have quaked.
Passage 217
मान्धाता सगरश्चैव तथा राजा भगीरथः। रघुस्तथाम्बरीषश्च तथा यावन्तो जनकः स्वयम्॥२१७॥
Māndhātṛ, Sagara, King Bhagīratha, Raghu, Ambarīṣa, and King Janaka himself—all these rulers—
Passage 218
तावत्सम्पालिता भूमिर्यथा पित्रा स्वपुत्रकाः। तेषां कुले भवान् जातः कीर्तिवर्धनकारकः॥२१८॥
—protected the earth as a father protects his own children. You were born in their lineage to increase its fame.
Passage 219
सूर्यवंशोद्भवः श्रीमान् धर्मात्मा सर्वपालकः। एकस्याविनयाद् राम हन्तुं नार्हसि वै जगत्॥२१९॥
Glorious Rāma, born in the solar dynasty, righteous and protector of all, you should not destroy the world because of one being's offense.”
Passage 220
श्रीशिव उवाच— भक्तस्य लक्ष्मणस्येत्थं वचनैः प्रससाद सः। स्नेहेन परिरभ्यामुं भ्रातरं प्राणसम्मितम्॥२२०॥
Śrī Śiva said: Appeased by these words of his devotee Lakṣmaṇa, Rāma lovingly embraced that brother who was as dear as his life.
Passage 221
स्मित्वाऽऽघ्राय शिरस्तस्य जगाम किल सत्वरम्। तेनैव सहितो भ्रात्रा लक्ष्मणेन मनीषिणा॥२२१॥
Smiling, he kissed his head and quickly moved on, accompanied by that same wise brother Lakṣmaṇa—
Passage 222
उद्यानिषु शैलेषु शिखरेषु च भूरिषु। गह्वरेषु गुहास्वेवं गुल्मेषु च वनेषु च॥२२२॥
—through gardens, mountains, countless peaks, ravines, caves, thickets, and forests;
Passage 223
निकुञ्जेषु च कुञ्जेषु पर्यन्तेषु धनेषु च। आरोहेष्ववरोहेषु भ्रातरौ खिन्नविग्रहौ॥२२३॥
through bowers, groves, remote and richly wooded places, ascents, and descents, the two brothers' bodies growing exhausted.
Passage 224
परिश्रान्तौ संचरन्तौ समेषु विषमेषु च। पश्यन्तौ जानकीस्तेयं कबन्धालयमागतौ॥२२४॥
Utterly weary as they moved across level and rugged ground, searching for signs of Jānakī's theft, they reached Kabandha's abode.
Passage 225
तद्बाहुवीर्यवशिनो रुण्डस्य तुण्डसन्निधिम्। दृष्ट्वा वनचरान् नीत्वा ग्रसन्तं वदनेन तम्॥२२५॥
They saw that headless trunk, through the power of its arms, dragging forest creatures near its maw and swallowing them with its mouth.
Passage 226
अत्यर्थदीर्घदोर्दण्डौ खड्गाभ्यां विनिकृत्य तौ। पातयामासतुरभूमौ स त्यक्त्वा वपुरात्मनः॥२२६॥
Cutting off his exceedingly long arm-staffs with their swords, the two brought him down upon the earth; he then cast off his body.
Passage 227
बभूव दिव्यो गन्धर्वः प्रणम्य भ्रातरावुभौ। सीतां दिशन् गतः स्वर्गं वपुसौन्दर्यभासुरः॥२२७॥
He became a divine Gandharva, radiant with bodily beauty. Bowing to both brothers and directing them toward Sītā, he went to heaven.
Passage 228
तेनोद्दिष्टेन मार्गेण क्रामन्तौ दुर्गपर्वतान्। सज्जीकृत्य धनुर्बाणौ मन्दं मन्दमुपेयतुः॥२२८॥
Following the path he indicated, the two crossed difficult mountains with bows and arrows readied, proceeding slowly onward.
Passage 229
ततः पम्पासरः प्राप्तौ स्नात्वा विश्रम्य तत्तटे। प्रणम्य मुनिसंदोहं दण्डकारण्यवासिनम्॥२२९॥
Then they reached Lake Pampā, bathed and rested on its bank, and bowed to the gathering of sages dwelling in Daṇḍakāraṇya.
Passage 230
ततः प्रचलितौ पश्चात् कुर्वन्तौ विविधाः कथाः। मार्गे घोरतरे भूरि घोषयन्तौ धनुर्गुणम्॥२३०॥
Afterward they moved on, exchanging many stories and making their bowstrings resound repeatedly along the forbidding path.
Passage 231
दूरस्थौ वै ततो दृष्टावृष्यमूकनिवासिभिः। शाखामृगैः पञ्चभिस्तौ वीरेन्द्रौ चललोचनौ॥२३१॥
From afar the two supreme heroes with restless eyes were seen by five monkeys dwelling on Ṛṣyamūka.
Passage 232
सुग्रीवस्य निदेशाच्च प्राप्तः पवनजोऽन्तिकम्। ततो मधुरया वाण्या संवादः समभूत्तयोः॥२३२॥
At Sugrīva's command, the son of the Wind approached them. A conversation then arose between them in sweet speech.
Passage 233
तदुक्तं तत्स्वरूपं च सम्यग्विज्ञाय राघवः। चक्रे सखित्वं तेनासौ कपीन्द्रेण समं दृढम्॥२३३॥
Properly understanding what he said and his true identity, Rāghava formed a firm friendship with that lord of monkeys.
Passage 234
ऋष्यमूकस्य शिखरे जानक्या भूषणानि तैः। आनीय कपिभिर्दत्तान्यादेशात् कपिभूपतेः॥२३४॥
At Sugrīva's command, the monkeys brought Jānakī's ornaments and presented them on Ṛṣyamūka's summit.
Passage 235
रामहस्तेऽर्पितान्यद्धा सख्या सौहार्ददर्शिना। भूषादर्शनमात्रेण मुमोह रघुपुङ्गवः॥२३५॥
His friend, manifesting true affection, placed them directly in Rāma's hand. At the mere sight of the ornaments, the foremost of Raghu's line fainted.
Passage 236
सुग्रीवः कपिभिः साकं दुःखाभिभवमापवान्। कृतोपकरणैः पश्चाद्विनोदः कपिभिः कृतः॥२३६॥
Sugrīva too, together with the monkeys, was overcome by grief. After rendering the needed assistance, the monkeys consoled and diverted Rāma.
Passage 237
सर्वे हि बालिवधोत्साहप्रतीतिजनिकां ततः। तालावलिं समाजग्मुः सप्तदर्वीकराकृतिम्॥२३७॥
Then all went to the row of seven palm trees, shaped like seven great serpents, to generate confidence and resolve for Bālī's death.
Passage 238
रामो दृष्ट्वा स्थितिं तेषां सप्तानां मर्मवित्स्वयम्। सज्जीकृत्य धनुर्वीरः संधाय विशिखं बली॥२३८॥
Rāma, himself a knower of vulnerable points, observed the formation of the seven, readied his bow, and set a mighty arrow upon it.
Passage 239
वेगेन ताडयामास सरलां तालराजिकाम्। बाणस्तन्मूलसंसुप्तं शापदग्धं भुजङ्गमम्॥२३९॥
He swiftly struck the straight row of palms. The arrow also struck a serpent sleeping among their roots, one consumed by a curse—
Passage 240
हत्वा हंसवपुः कृत्वा तूणं रघुपतेर्ययौ। चक्रुः स्वर्गस्थिताः देवाः पुष्पवृष्टिं मुदान्विताः॥२४०॥
—killed it, transformed it into a swan-bodied being, and returned to Raghupati's quiver. Delighted gods in heaven showered flowers.
Passage 241
श्रीराममूर्धनि प्रायः पुष्पवृष्टिः सुशोभना। कपिभिर्देशितं रामः कबन्धं दुन्दुभेर्भृशम्॥२४१॥
The lovely flower shower fell chiefly upon Śrī Rāma's head. The monkeys then pointed out to Rāma the massive remains of Duṇḍubhi—
Passage 242
वामेनैव करेणासौ धनुष्कोट्या व्युदासितम्। उड्डीयाम्बरतो भूमौ दीर्घान्तरतयापतत्॥२४२॥
—which he flung away with the tip of his bow using only his left hand; it flew through the sky and fell upon the earth far away.
Passage 243
सोऽतिहृष्टः कपिभटैरर्चितः सादरं रघुः। अथ सुग्रीव आश्रित्य बलं रघुपतेर्महत्॥२४३॥
Raghu's scion was greatly pleased and respectfully honored by the monkey warriors. Then Sugrīva, relying upon Raghupati's great strength—
Passage 244
बालिनो राजधानीं तां किष्किन्धापुरमागतः। गत्वा परिसरे गाढमास्फोट्य सुदृढं करौ॥२४४॥
—reached Bālī's capital, the city of Kiṣkindhā. Going to its outskirts, he clapped his strong hands with force—
Passage 245
कृत्वा सिंहनिनादं च मुखेनापूरयन्नभः। आततायिनमाहूय स्वाग्रजं तावद्युयुत्सया॥२४५॥
—and filled the sky with a lion's roar, calling out his hostile elder brother in his desire to fight.
Passage 246
तयोः स्वरूपसादृश्यात्तर्को रघुपतेरभूत्। उभयोरनयोर्मध्ये को मित्रो मम चिह्नतः॥२४६॥
Because their forms were alike, Raghupati became uncertain: “By what mark can I tell which of these two is my friend?”
Passage 247
इत्येवमुग्धहृदये रामे सूर्याङ्गजो रणे। इन्द्राङ्गजेन बलिनाऽऽताड्य विद्रावितोऽभवत्॥२४७॥
While Rāma's heart was thus perplexed, the son of the Sun was struck in battle by the powerful son of Indra and driven away.
Passage 248
स भ्रष्टविक्रमः प्राप्तो रामस्यान्तिकमानतः। तर्जन्योपालभद्रामं श्वासोच्छ्वासाकुलो भृशम्॥२४८॥
His valor broken, Sugrīva came submissively before Rāma and, violently panting, reproached him with raised forefinger.
Passage 249
पश्यन् विचकितो भूयः शत्रोरागमशङ्कया। विवृत्याननमुद्धीतो भ्रात्रा युद्धे पराजितः॥२४९॥
He kept looking back in alarm, fearing his enemy's approach, mouth open and breath heaving after defeat by his brother in battle.
Passage 250
आश्वासितः स रामेण हस्तस्पर्शतलालनैः। अभीतिदैश्च वचनैः स्वामिना भयहारिणा॥२५०॥
Rāma reassured him with comforting touches of his hand and fear-dispelling words, the sovereign Lord taking away his fear.
Passage 251
उक्तं च भवतः साम्यान्न मया मारितो रिपुः। सत्यं मे व्याहृतं याहि पुनरेव निजं रिपुम्॥२५१॥
“Because of your likeness I did not kill the enemy. My word is true; go once more against your foe.”
Passage 252
हनिष्याम्यधुना शीघ्रमित्युक्तः स्वामिना ततः। जगाम कलहायासौ किष्किन्धां बालिनः पुरीम्॥२५२॥
“I shall kill him swiftly now.” Thus assured by his Lord, Sugrīva returned to Kiṣkindhā, Bālī's city, for battle.
Passage 253
सुग्रीवमागतं ज्ञात्वा गर्जन्तं पुरसन्निधौ। रोषादन्धं विनिश्चित्य सुग्रीवस्य स विक्रमी॥२५३॥
Learning that Sugrīva had come roaring near the city, the valiant Bālī, blinded by rage and resolved against Sugrīva—
Passage 254
शुद्धान्तात् सम्प्रचलितो निषिद्धोऽपि च भार्यया। विरुद्धप्रायशकुनान् बाली हठसमावृतः॥२५४॥
—left the inner apartments though restrained by his wife; despite the largely adverse omens, Bālī was wrapped in obstinacy.
Passage 255
ततो ज्येष्ठानुजौ युद्धे दृढमन्योन्यमुपागतौ। रामो हृष्टतनुर्भूत्वा करे कृत्वा धनुर्वरम्॥२५५॥
Then the elder and younger brothers met each other fiercely in battle. Rāma, his body thrilled, took the excellent bow in hand—
Passage 256
स्थित्वा गुल्मान्तरे वीरः कृत्याकृत्यमचिन्तयन्। साक्षात्स भगवान् देवो रामः कारणकारणः॥२५६॥
—and the hero stood within a thicket, considering what should and should not be done. That Rāma is the blessed Lord himself, the divine cause of every cause.
Passage 257
बाणं प्राणहरं क्षिप्त्वा बालिनं हृदयेऽवधीत्। यत्रासौ पतितो बाणविद्धो वानरभूपतिः॥२५७॥
Releasing a life-taking arrow, he struck Bālī in the heart. Where that monkey king fell, pierced by the arrow—
Passage 258
रामस्तत्रागतो वीक्ष्य सदयं कर्म चात्मनः।<br+संतप्तोऽनुचितं कृत्वा सान्त्वितः सामभिस्ततः॥२५८॥
—Rāma came and compassionately regarded his own deed. Grieved that he had acted improperly, he was then soothed with conciliatory words.
Passage 259
सुग्रीवेणानुजेनापि बलिना च प्लवंगमैः। श्रीरामदृष्टिनिर्धूतसमस्तशमलः कपिः॥२५९॥
With his younger brother Sugrīva and the mighty monkeys present, every stain of the monkey Bālī was swept away by Śrī Rāma's gaze—
Passage 260
बाली रामे विलीनात्मा जगाम परमं पदम्। ततो राज्याभिषेकेन सुग्रीवश्चाभिषेचितः॥२६०॥
—and, his being absorbed in Rāma, Bālī attained the supreme state. Sugrīva was then consecrated with the royal coronation.
Passage 261
ततो वार्षिकमासेषु शृङ्गे माल्यवतो गिरेः। उवास भ्रातृसहितः सीताविरहकर्शितः॥२६१॥
Then, during the rainy months, Rāma lived with his brother on a summit of Mount Mālyavat, wasted by separation from Sītā.
Passage 262
भूयः शोकं चकारासौ तत्र संतप्तमानसः। अहो राज्याभिषेके मे तादृग्विघ्नो बभूव ह॥२६२॥
There, with an anguished heart, he lamented again: “Alas, such an obstacle arose at my coronation.
Passage 263
आजन्म सुखिनो जातं ततो मे वनसेवनम्। तत्राप्यभून्मे जानक्या विरहः प्राणशोषणः॥२६३॥
“I had been happy from birth; then came my life in the forest. Even there came separation from Jānakī, draining away my life.
Passage 264
सीतार्थं च मृतं तातमित्रं तत्तादृशं वयः। अधर्माच्च हतो बाली किं नु दुःखमतः परम्॥२६४॥
“For Sītā's sake my father's friend, that great bird, died, and Bālī was slain unlawfully. What sorrow could be greater than this?”
Passage 265
इत्येवं गणयन् दुःखं चातुर्मास्यं चकार सः। अथ रामाज्ञया शीघ्रं किष्किन्धां लक्ष्मणो ययौ। चापतोमरभृद्वीरो भ्रूभङ्गेन तमादिशत्॥२६५॥
Thus enumerating his griefs, he passed the four rainy months. Then, at Rāma's command, the heroic Lakṣmaṇa swiftly went to Kiṣkindhā bearing bow and javelin, and with furrowed brow addressed Sugrīva.
Passage 266
लक्ष्मण उवाच— यत्पादाब्जप्रसादेन प्राप्तं राज्यमकण्टकम्। भोगं करोषि साम्राज्यलक्ष्म्याः सुग्रीव भूरिशः॥२६६॥
Lakṣmaṇa said: “Sugrīva, by the grace of whose lotus feet you obtained a kingdom free of rivals, you now enjoy in abundance the fortune of sovereignty.
Passage 267
सोऽरण्ये निवसन् रामो हृदयेन विदूयते। तवाग्रजरिपुः साक्षाद्विस्मृतो भवता स किम्॥२६७॥
“That Rāma dwells in the forest with his heart in anguish. Have you forgotten the very one who was the enemy of your elder brother?”
Passage 268
तेनाख्यातमिदं श्रुत्वा जहास कपिपुङ्गवः। श्रीरामानुजमालिङ्ग्य निन्ये शुद्धान्तमादृतः॥२६८॥
Hearing what he had said, the foremost monkey smiled. Embracing Śrī Rāma's younger brother, he respectfully led him into the inner apartments.
Passage 269
तत्रासौ तारयान्याभिर्योषिद्भिश्च प्रपूजितः। शिविकां तावथारुह्य पुरोगैः कपिभिर्युतौ॥२६९॥
There he was duly honored by Tārā and the other women. Then the two mounted a palanquin, accompanied by monkeys going before them—
Passage 270
आजग्मतुस्त्वरायुक्तौ यत्रास्ते रघुपुङ्गवः। कुशसंस्तरमध्यास्य बद्धपद्मासनः प्रभुः॥२७०॥
—and came swiftly to where the foremost of Raghu's line sat: the Lord, seated in the lotus posture upon a mat of kuśa grass.
Passage 271
नीलोत्पलदलश्यामः स्वस्थो वल्कलचीरभृत्। सुलोचनः सुवदन आजानुदीर्घबाहुकः॥२७१॥
He was dark as a blue-lotus petal, composed, clad in bark cloth, lovely-eyed and fair-faced, with long arms reaching to his knees.
Passage 272
अलङ्कृतो वपुर्लक्ष्म्या बिभ्रद्भासुरुचोजटाः। तुङ्गोत्तमाङ्गशिखरः कैलासाधिपतिर्यथा॥२७२॥
His body was adorned with beauty and he bore radiant matted locks; with his lofty crowned head he resembled the Lord of Kailāsa.
Passage 273
तं दृष्ट्वा रघुशार्दूलं सुग्रीवादयः प्लवंगमाः। लक्ष्मणेन समं सर्वे प्रणेमुर्दण्डवद्भुवि॥२७३॥
Seeing that tiger of Raghu's line, Sugrīva and the other monkeys all fell prostrate upon the ground together with Lakṣmaṇa.
Passage 274
कृताञ्जलिपुटा ऊर्ध्वमुत्थिता देशकारिणः। परिरेभेऽथ सुग्रीवं रामो राजीवलोचनः॥२७४॥
They rose with joined palms, ready to obey his command. Then lotus-eyed Rāma embraced Sugrīva.
Passage 275
समुपावेशिताः सर्वे रामेण कपिपुङ्गवाः। अन्योन्यविक्रमं दृष्ट्वा तावेकासनसंस्थितौ॥२७५॥
Rāma seated all the foremost monkeys. Admiring one another's valor, Rāma and Sugrīva sat together upon a single seat.
Passage 276
अङ्गदश्चात्मनिकटे रामेण स्थापितो भृशम्। सम्मानितश्च नितरां सादरैर्वचनादिभिः॥२७६॥
Rāma placed Aṅgada close beside himself and honored him exceedingly with respectful words and other courtesies.
Passage 277
ततः कपय आहूता यावन्तो भूमिमण्डले। समाययुस्ते पुरतो हरिणा चक्रवर्तिना॥२७७॥
Then all the monkeys throughout the circle of the earth were summoned, and they came before the emperor of the monkeys.
Passage 278
सुग्रीवस्यादेशकरा नानाजातय उद्धताः। श्वेता रक्ताः पिशङ्गाश्च नीलाः कृष्णाश्च कर्बुराः॥२७८॥
Obedient to Sugrīva's command, they were bold and of many kinds: white, red, tawny, blue, black, and variegated.
Passage 279
स्थूलाः स्थूलकराः शैलसदृशाः कुञ्जरोपमाः। अरुणास्याः कालमुखाः पिङ्गाक्षा बहुवर्णकाः॥२७९॥
They were massive, with massive hands, mountain-like and elephant-like; some had reddish faces, some dark faces, some tawny eyes, and some many colors.
Passage 280
विचित्रवेगाः कपयो लाङ्गूलातपवारणाः। आययुः कोट्यस्तत्र लङ्केशकुलनाशनाः॥२८०॥
Monkeys of wondrous speed, whose tails served as parasols against the sun, came there in crores, destined to destroy the family of Laṅkā's lord.
Passage 281
बद्धकक्षोरकाः क्रूरा आत्मीयोज्झितजीविताः। स्वामिनोऽर्थे पतङ्गाभाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः॥२८१॥
Girded for action, fierce, and having cast aside concern for their own lives, they were like moths in their master's cause, all expert in war.
Passage 282
कृतास्फोटाः कपिवरा मुक्तौकस उपागताः। दिनेशवंशतिलकस्यार्थे प्रसभमुद्यताः॥२८२॥
Clapping their arms, the foremost monkeys left their homes and came, boldly resolved to act for the ornament of the Solar dynasty.
Passage 283
संग्रामाङ्गणगाः शक्ताः हन्तुं प्रतिबलं क्षमाः। देवांशा हरयः सर्वे हरीशसहितास्तथा॥२८३॥
Powerful upon the field of battle and able to destroy an opposing force, all the monkeys were portions of the gods and were accompanied by their monkey lord.
Passage 284
विधेराज्ञाकराः सर्वे रामं सेवितुमागताः। रामाभिधं परं साक्षात् पूर्णश्रीपुरुषोत्तमम्॥२८४॥
All obeyed Brahmā's command and had come to serve Rāma—the supreme one directly manifest under the name Rāma, the perfectly glorious Supreme Person.
Passage 285
एतेषां गणना प्रोक्ता महापद्मनवद्वयम्। ततोऽपि चाधिका वीराः समायाताः प्लवङ्गमाः॥२८५॥
Their number was said to be twice nine mahāpadmas, and even beyond these still more heroic monkeys assembled.
Passage 286
धीमन्तो बलिनश्चैव बुद्धिविक्रमशालिनः। श्रेष्ठाः स्वामिहिताश्चैव सुग्रीवस्य निदेशतः॥२८६॥
Wise, powerful, and endowed with intelligence and valor, these excellent monkeys were devoted to their master's good and acted at Sugrīva's direction.
Passage 287
कृत्वा प्रणामं रामस्य सर्वे तत्र समाययुः। अथ केचित्कपिश्रेष्ठाः सीतालोकसमुत्सुकाः॥२८७॥
After bowing to Rāma, they all assembled there. Then some of the foremost monkeys, eager to find Sītā—
Passage 288
मासैकमवधिं कृत्वा ययुस्ते सर्वतो दिशम्। मासाधिकं व्यतिक्रान्ता दण्ड्याः स्युर्नात्र संशयः॥२८८॥
—were given a limit of one month and went in every direction. Those who exceeded the month would be punished; of this there was no doubt.
Passage 289
नलनीलमरुत्पुत्रप्रमुखा ऋक्षपुङ्गवाः। वृत्वेशमङ्गदं ते वै कपयो दशकोटयः॥२८९॥
Led by Nala, Nīla, the son of the Wind, and the foremost bears, those ten crores of monkeys chose Aṅgada as their leader.
Passage 290
याम्यां दिशि गताः सर्वे सीतालोकनतत्पराः। मासावधिलङ्घितस्तैः प्राप्तास्ते कपयस्ततः॥२९०॥
They all went south, wholly intent on finding Sītā. When the month's limit had been exceeded, those monkeys then reached—
Passage 291
महेन्द्रमचलं नाम तीरे नीरनिधेर्भृशम्। प्रायोपवेशमास्थाय संस्थिताः कुशसंस्तरे॥२९१॥
—the mountain named Mahendra on the ocean's shore. Resolving to fast until death, they sat upon a bed of kuśa grass.
Passage 292
सम्पातिर्नाम विहगस्तत्र तैः सङ्गतोऽभवत्। कपिभ्यस्तेन कथितं सीतावृत्तं यथातथम्॥२९२॥
A bird named Sampāti met them there and told the monkeys the true account of Sītā.
Passage 293
लङ्केशोपवने सीता शोकाविष्टा वियोगिनी। अशोकस्य तरोर्मूले वसतीति निबोधत॥२९३॥
“Know that the separated Sītā, overwhelmed by grief, dwells beneath an aśoka tree in the garden of Laṅkā's lord.”
Passage 294
तन्निवेदितमाकर्ण्य दशमे मासि मार्गके। दशम्यां विहितोत्साहो हनूमान् हरिवासरे॥२९४॥
Hearing this report, on the tenth lunar day of the tenth month, Mārgaśīrṣa, on Hari's day, Hanumān summoned his resolve—
Passage 295
संध्यायामन्तरायाणि हत्वा पथि पयोनिधेः। शतयोजनविस्तीर्णं पय उल्लङ्घ्य विक्रमी॥२९५॥
—and at twilight overcame the obstacles along the ocean path. The valiant one crossed its waters, a hundred yojanas wide—
Passage 296
लङ्कां ययौ सूक्ष्मवपुरदृश्यात्मा महासुरैः। रात्रेः पाश्चात्यप्रहरे ददर्श नगरीं ततः॥२९६॥
—and reached Laṅkā in a subtle body, unseen by the great demons. Then, in the final watch of night, he surveyed the city.
Passage 297
तस्मिन्नुपवने सीतामशोकतरुसमाश्रिताम्। प्रलपन्तीं रामनाम महाविरहदुःखिताम्॥२९७॥
In that garden he saw Sītā sheltering beneath an aśoka tree, uttering Rāma's name and afflicted by the great sorrow of separation.
Passage 298
ददर्शावतीर्य विटपात्तदन्तिकमुपागतः। मूर्ध्ना कृतप्रणामोऽस्यै निबद्धाञ्जलिरब्रवीत्॥२९८॥
Having seen her, he descended from the tree and approached her. Bowing his head and joining his palms before her, he spoke. The printed edition marks the first pādas of verses 297 and 298 as containing an extra syllable sanctioned by archaic usage.
Passage 299
हनुमानुवाच— अम्बाम्ब मातर्जननि भक्तो रघुपतेरहम्। अङ्गुलीयकमेतद्धि प्रभोस्तुभ्यं समर्पये॥२९९॥
Hanumān said: “Mother, mother—O mother, O parent! I am a devotee of Raghupati. I offer you this ring of my Lord.”
Passage 300
इति प्रत्यर्प्य हनुमान् श्रीरामस्याङ्गुलीयकम्। तस्याः शिरोभूषणं तच्चूडारत्नं प्रगृह्य सः॥३००॥
Speaking thus, Hanumān handed over Śrī Rāma's ring and received from her the crest jewel that adorned her head.
Passage 301
पुनराश्वास्य तां देवीं ततो वीरः सुनिर्गतः। भग्नं तेन त्रयोदश्यां रावणस्योत्तमं वनम्॥३०१॥
After reassuring the goddess once more, the hero departed. On the thirteenth lunar day he destroyed Rāvaṇa's splendid garden.
Passage 302
क्रव्यादाः शतशस्तेन घातिता भुजविक्रमाः। स आबद्धश्चेन्द्रजिता ब्रह्मास्त्रेण भृशं रणे॥३०२॥
By the prowess of his arms he killed flesh-eating demons by the hundreds; then Indrajit bound him tightly in battle with the Brahmā weapon.
Passage 303
चतुर्दश्यां ततः पुच्छे नियुक्तातुच्छपावकेः। प्रज्वालिता तेन लङ्का परिभूतः पुलस्त्यजः॥३०३॥
Then, on the fourteenth, a mighty fire was fastened to his tail. With it he set Laṅkā ablaze and humiliated Pulastya's descendant.
Passage 304
महेन्द्रमचलं प्राप्तो राकायां पवनात्मजः। कपीनां पुरतस्तेन सर्वं चरितमीरितम्॥३०४॥
On the full-moon day the son of the Wind reached Mount Mahendra and related the whole course of events before the monkeys.
Passage 305
सिद्धार्था हरयः सर्वे महेन्द्रगिरितः पुनः। व्यावर्तिताः पञ्चदिनैरागताः पथि सत्वराः॥३०५॥
Their purpose accomplished, all the monkeys turned back from Mount Mahendra and came swiftly along the road in five days.
Passage 306
षष्ठेऽह्नि तैर्मधुवनं सर्वमालोडितं मुहुः। सप्तम्यां च मरुत्सूनुः सीतामस्तकभूषणम्॥३०६॥
On the sixth day they repeatedly laid waste the whole Madhuvana; and on the seventh the son of the Wind presented the ornament from Sītā's head—
Passage 307
ददौ रघुपतेस्तच्च हृदये निदधे प्रभुः। मुमोह विरहेणार्तस्ततोऽष्टम्यां शिरःस्थिते॥३०७॥
—to Raghupati, and the Lord placed it upon his heart. Tormented by separation, he fainted. Then on the eighth, when the sun stood—
Passage 308
सूर्ये प्रयाणमातेने उत्तराफाल्गुनीयुते। जयाय जयिनां श्रेष्ठो रामः कपिबलैर्वृतः॥३०८॥
—in conjunction with Uttaraphālgunī, Rāma, the foremost of the victorious, set out for victory surrounded by the monkey forces.
Passage 309
अथाञ्जलनिधेस्तीरे स्कन्धावारनिवेशनम्। सिन्धोस्तीरे स्थितिरभूत्पौषस्यादथ दिनत्रयम्॥३०९॥
Then a military camp was established on the ocean's shore, and the army remained there beside the sea for three days.
Passage 310
चतुर्थीदिवसे प्राप्तः शरणं च विभीषणः। तदैव रघुनाथेन कृतो लङ्काधिपश्च सः॥३१०॥
On the fourth day Vibhīṣaṇa came for refuge, and Raghunātha at once made him lord of Laṅkā.
Passage 311
अभिषिच्य स्वयं तावत् पयसा तस्य मूर्धनि। सिन्धोराराधने मन्त्रः सप्तम्यां तैः कृतस्ततः॥३११॥
Rāma himself consecrated him by pouring water upon his head. Then on the seventh the leaders deliberated upon propitiating the ocean.
Passage 312
रामश्च लक्ष्मणश्चैव सुग्रीवश्च विभीषणः। हनुमान् कपयश्चान्ये निबद्धाञ्जलयोऽखिलाः॥३१२॥
Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, Sugrīva, Vibhīṣaṇa, Hanumān, and all the other monkeys stood with palms joined—
Passage 313
सिन्धुं ययाचिरे मार्गं यावद्दिनचतुष्टयम्। भूत्वा निरशताः सर्वे याचन्तः सरितां पतिम्॥३१३॥
—and begged the ocean for a passage for four days. All became despondent while petitioning the lord of rivers.
Passage 314
अथ क्रुद्धोऽब्रवीद् रामः सौमित्रे धनुरानय। अहमेकेन बाणेन जलधिं खलु शोषये॥३१४॥
Then Rāma grew angry and said, “Saumitri, bring my bow. With a single arrow I shall indeed dry up the ocean.”
Passage 315
रामं कुपितमालोक्य वेपमानः सरित्पतिः। सदय एवाविरभवत् प्रियोपायनसंयुतः॥३१५॥
Seeing Rāma enraged, the trembling lord of rivers appeared before him, conciliatory and bearing welcome gifts.
Passage 316
शान्तिं निनाय शनकैः सामभी रघुपुङ्गवम्। सप्रश्रयैश्च वचनैः सेतूपायमदर्शयत्॥३१६॥
With conciliatory and deferential words, he gradually pacified the foremost of Raghu's line and showed him the means of building a bridge.
Passage 317
साहचर्यैः कपिशार्दूलैर्वीच्यमाणो जगाम सः। सहर्षो निलयं प्राप्तो मुदिताः कपयोऽभवन्॥३१७॥
Watched by the tiger-like monkeys gathered there, the ocean departed. He joyfully returned to his abode, and the monkeys rejoiced.
Passage 318
ते सर्वे कपयः स्वीयशिरसा सर्वपर्वतान्। उच्चैः शृङ्गान् गण्डशैलसहितान् गगनोन्नतान्॥३१८॥
All those monkeys bore upon their own heads entire mountains—their lofty, sky-reaching peaks together with their great rocks—
Passage 319
नीत्वाक्षिपंस्तोयनिधौ रामनामाङ्कमण्डितान्। ते युक्तिपूर्वं निहिता नलहस्तेन वारिधौ॥३१९॥
—and, having brought them, cast them into the ocean marked with Rāma's name. They were methodically positioned in the sea by Nala's hand.
Passage 320
दशम्यां सेतुरारब्धस्त्रयोदश्यां प्रपूरितः। दशयोजनविस्तीर्णः शतयोजनलम्बितः॥३२०॥
The bridge was begun on the tenth and completed on the thirteenth; it was ten yojanas wide and extended for a hundred yojanas.
Passage 321
तेनोत्तीर्णाः कपिभटाः सर्वे भूतादिने क्रमात्। न्यवेशयद् रघुपतिः सुवेलपर्वते बलम्॥३२१॥
All the monkey warriors crossed over it in order, and Raghupati stationed the army upon Mount Suvela.
Passage 322
निरुद्ध्य लङ्काहृदयं स्थितो रामो यथान्तकः। पूर्णैर्दिनैस्त्रिभिश्चैव सर्वे ते कपिसञ्चयाः॥३२२॥
Having blockaded Laṅkā's heart, Rāma stood like Death himself. Within three full days all those monkey hosts— The source type is abraded in the second pāda; its metrically and syntactically continuous reading is retained as पूर्णैर्दिनैस्त्रिभिश्चैव.
Passage 323
सिन्धोर्जलं समुत्तीर्य पारं जग्मुः समन्ततः। गर्जन्तो भीषणैर्नादैस्त्रासयन्तो रिपून् स्थिताः॥३२३॥
—crossed the ocean's waters and reached the farther shore on every side. They stood roaring with terrifying cries and frightening their enemies.
Passage 324
लङ्काप्राकारमाक्रम्य कोष्ठाद्वालकगोपुरान्। शिखरांश्च समारुह्य संस्थिताः परितः पुरीम्॥३२४॥
Scaling Laṅkā's ramparts, bastions, projecting fortifications, gatehouses, and peaks, they took their positions all around the city.
Passage 325
तृतीयां तु समारभ्य दशम्यन्तदिनाष्टकम्। लङ्कायाः परितो जाता प्लवङ्गानां बलस्थितिः॥३२५॥
Beginning with the third and continuing through the tenth—eight days—the monkey army maintained its position around Laṅkā.
Passage 326
एकादश्यां कपिबलप्रेक्षार्थं रावणेरितौ। शुकश्च सारणश्चैव प्राप्तौ बद्धौ च वानरैः॥३२६॥
On the eleventh, Rāvaṇa sent Śuka and Sāraṇa to inspect the monkey army. They arrived and were bound by the monkeys.
Passage 327
द्वादश्यां सर्वद्वारेषु कृत्वा शाखामृगान् प्रभुः। सेनापतींस्तथादिश्योत्तरे द्वारि स्वयं स्थितः॥३२७॥
On the twelfth, the Lord appointed monkey commanders at every gate and himself took position at the northern gate.
Passage 328
तत्राट्टालक आगत्य सच्छत्रो रावणः स्थितः। अर्धचन्द्रेषुणा रामस्तस्य छत्रं समाच्छिनत्॥३२८॥
Rāvaṇa came there and stood upon a tower beneath his parasol. With a crescent-headed arrow Rāma cut away that parasol.
Passage 329
अथ मन्दोदरी नाम तस्यार्धाङ्गनिवेशिनी। अब्रवीद्वचनं तथ्यं हितं चामृतसम्मितम्॥३२९॥
Then Mandodarī, the wife who shared half his being, spoke words that were true, beneficial, and comparable to nectar.
Passage 330
मन्दोदर्युवाच— पश्याधीश दिशो यावत् तावद्रघुपतेश्चमूम्। पश्याम्येतत्प्रातिकूल्यं नो ये मज्जन्ति जले क्षणात्॥३३०॥
Mandodarī said: “Look, O sovereign, in every direction at Raghupati's army. I see this adverse portent: those stones do not sink in the water even for a moment. The printed edition marks the first pāda as containing an extra syllable sanctioned by archaic usage.
Passage 331
तरन्ति तेऽपि पाथोधौ प्रस्तराः शैलरूपिणः। करचालनमात्रेण ये मज्जन्ति मुहुर्मुहुः॥३३१॥
“Even those mountain-sized boulders float upon the ocean, though ordinarily they sink again and again at the mere movement of a hand.
Passage 332
तैरियं नगरी नाथ वेष्टिता सर्वतो दिशम्। भक्ष्यं यद्रक्षसां तौ च प्राप्तौ क्षयकरौ रिपू॥३३२॥
“This city has been surrounded by them on every side, O lord. Those regarded as food by the rākṣasas—and the two enemies who bring destruction—have arrived.
Passage 333
यत्सीमा नामरैर्लङ्घ्या लङ्घिता सापि वानरैः। यः सोदरः सोऽपि यातः सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा द्विषोऽन्तिकम्॥३३३॥
“The boundary that even the immortals could not cross has been crossed by monkeys. Your own brother too has abandoned your company and gone to the enemy.
Passage 334
मन्ये तदधुना जातः कोऽपि कालविपर्ययः। येनैकेन हताश्चान्ये राक्षसा ये खरादयः॥३३४॥
“I think some reversal of destiny has now occurred. By that one hero Khara and the other rākṣasas were slain.
Passage 335
वाली च निहतो येन ते त्वद्वीर्यबलाधिकाः। तस्यापश्यत एवास्य प्रियां हृत्वा त्वमागतः॥३३५॥
“He also killed Bālī, whose valor and strength exceeded yours; yet without heeding this deed, you came after stealing that hero's beloved.
Passage 336
सोऽयं सेतुं विधायाब्धौ त्रिकूटाचलमागतः। कथमन्धायसे नाथ पश्यन् विंशतिलोचनैः॥३३६॥
“That same hero has built a bridge across the ocean and reached Mount Trikūṭa. How can you remain blind, O lord, though looking through twenty eyes?
Passage 337
मुक्त्वा शिरांसि भवतश्चिच्छेद छत्रसंहतिम्। मन्ये पुलस्त्यवंशेऽस्मिन् रामेण वै कृता कृपा॥३३७॥
“Sparing your heads, he cut apart the array of parasols. I believe Rāma has indeed shown mercy to this lineage of Pulastya.
Passage 338
एकस्तेऽवसरोऽद्यापि सन्धिं कर्तुं महात्मना। समर्पय प्रियतमां रामस्यास्य पतिव्रताम्॥३३८॥
“Even now you have one opportunity to make peace with that great soul. Return to Rāma his beloved and faithful wife.
Passage 339
जीवन्तु राक्षसाः सर्वे लङ्कापुर्याः शमस्तु च। जानासि नाथ सकलं बाह्वोर्यद्वालिनो बलम्॥३३९॥
“Let all the rākṣasas live and let peace come to the city of Laṅkā. O lord, you know the full strength that lay in Bālī's arms.
Passage 340
एकेन मार्गणेनैष रामेण निहतः क्षणात्। तस्य प्रियां च रामस्य हृत्वा त्वं कुधियागतः॥३४०॥
“Rāma killed him in an instant with a single arrow. Yet in your folly you stole Rāma's beloved and brought her here.
Passage 341
उत्पादितेयं भवता कृत्या रक्षःकुलक्षये। इति मन्दोदरी प्रोच्य विरता कुधियोऽन्तिके॥३४१॥
“You have produced this deathly force for the destruction of the rākṣasa race.” Having spoken thus beside the misguided king, Mandodarī fell silent.
Passage 342
अथ तौ वानरैर्बद्धौ शुकसारणसंज्ञकौ। रामस्यादेशतो मुक्तौ प्राप्तौ तौ रावणान्तिकम्॥३४२॥
Meanwhile the two scouts named Śuka and Sāraṇa, who had been bound by the monkeys, were released at Rāma's command and returned to Rāvaṇa.
Passage 343
तावूचतुः कपिपते रूपं विस्फूर्जितं महत्। जम्भन्ते वानरवरास्त्वत्पुरीग्रासहेतवे॥३४३॥
They told him of the mighty, awe-inspiring form of the monkey host: “The foremost monkeys gape as though ready to devour your city.
Passage 344
मैन्दं पश्य प्रभो क्रुद्धस्त्वां पश्यति स उन्मुखः। द्विविदोऽयं पुरीमेतां ग्रसन्निव मुखे स्थितः॥३४४॥
“Look at Mainda, O lord: enraged, he stares directly at you. Here stands Dvivida as though swallowing this city in his mouth.
Passage 345
नीलोऽयं वानरपतिः प्रहस्तमवृणोच्च यः। हन्तुं कपीनां पुरतः संग्रामविजयी बली॥३४५॥
“This is Nīla, a mighty and battle-victorious monkey lord, who chose Prahasta to slay before the monkeys.
Passage 346
नलोऽयं वानरवरः सेतुर्येन विनिर्मितः। एष चाङ्गद ऊर्ध्वाक्षस्तातेन सदृशो बली॥३४६॥
“This is Nala, the foremost monkey by whom the bridge was built. And this is Aṅgada, gazing upward, powerful like his father.
Passage 347
अयं ऋक्षेश्वरो वीरो जाम्बवान् बुद्धिमान् बली। निजसेनास्थितो भाति वृद्धो युद्धविशारदः॥३४७॥
“This is Jāmbavān, the heroic lord of bears, intelligent and strong. Though aged, that expert in war shines as he stands amid his own forces.
Passage 348
एकैकोऽप्रतिमो ह्येषां वीर्येण च बलेन च। शक्त उर्वीं समुद्धर्तुं का लङ्का तृणपुञ्जवत्॥३४८॥
“Each one of them is unequalled in valor and strength and could lift up the earth itself; what then is Laṅkā, no more than a heap of straw?
Passage 349
तव चित्ते मतिर्मा भूदेते वानरमर्कटाः। आदेशाद्राघवपतेः कोप्यन्तः परितः स्थिताः॥३४९॥
“Do not imagine in your mind that these are mere monkeys and apes. At Raghupati's command they stand enraged on every side.
Passage 350
एते कपिवरा नाम सर्वदेवपराक्रमाः। निरीक्षतां मया चापि रामो वीरः स्वयं स्थितः॥३५०॥
“These named monkey chiefs possess the prowess of all the gods. Now behold also the heroic Rāma himself standing there, whom I too have seen.”
Passage 351
अक्षहावानरपतेरुत्सङ्गे कृतमस्तकः। त्वत्सोदरोक्तं शृण्वानस्तस्याङ्कस्थपदाम्बुजः॥३५१॥
“The slayer of Akṣa rests his head in the monkey lord's lap; as your brother's words are heard, the lotus feet rest there in his lap.
Passage 352
आस्ते सुवर्णहरिणचर्माध्यास्य समास्थितः। पश्यंस्त्वद्वंशनाशाय विशिखं लक्ष्मणाहृतम्॥३५२॥
“Rāma sits firmly upon a golden deer skin, regarding an arrow brought by Lakṣmaṇa for the destruction of your lineage.
Passage 353
तस्माद्भवान् गर्हं कर्म कृतवान् नात्र संशयः। निधनायात्मनः पीतं विषं हालाहलं त्वया॥३५३॥
“Therefore you have unquestionably committed a condemnable deed. For your own destruction you have drunk the poison Hālāhala.
Passage 354
जानकीं देहि लङ्का च यदि वाञ्छसि जीवितुम्। उदितोऽयं धूमकेतुः क्षयाय ननु रक्षसाम्॥३५४॥
“Return Jānakī if you wish to live and retain Laṅkā. This comet has surely risen for the destruction of the rākṣasas.
Passage 355
तस्माच्छीघ्रं सुतैः सार्धं प्रयाहि त्वमन्यतः। विज्ञायास्य बलं धीमान् भ्राता ते शरणं गतः॥३५५॥
“Therefore depart quickly elsewhere with your sons. Recognizing Rāma's strength, your wise brother sought his refuge.
Passage 356
तस्मै लङ्का प्रसादेन दत्ता नैवात्र संशयः। किशोरेण हता येन ताडका नाम राक्षसी॥३५६॥
“Laṅkā has unquestionably been bestowed upon him by grace. While still a youth, Rāma killed the rākṣasī named Tāḍakā.
Passage 357
मुक्ता तेऽवरजा येन हित्वा तव पितुर्मुनेः। निष्कृत्य नासिकाकर्णं वीरेन्द्रेण महात्मना॥३५७॥
“That great lord of heroes spared your younger sister out of regard for your sage father, though he cut away her nose and ears.
Passage 358
कस्तस्याप्यनयं कृत्वा जीवेत खलु राक्षसः। शिरःश्रेणी क्षितिं गन्ता तव दाशरथेः शरैः॥३५८॥
“What rākṣasa could wrong him and live? The row of your heads will fall to the earth beneath the son of Daśaratha's arrows.
Passage 359
तयोरित्थं वचः श्रुत्वा प्रहस्य खलु रावणः। आहूय सकलान् रक्षश्चमूनाथान् सुनिश्चितम्॥३५९॥
Hearing the two scouts speak in this way, the wicked Rāvaṇa laughed, summoned all the commanders of the rākṣasa army, and made his firm decision.
Passage 360
त्रयोदशीं समारभ्य यावत्पर्वकुहूदिनम्। तावत्संख्या विधायैषां यथास्थानमरोपयत्॥३६०॥
From the thirteenth through the new-moon festival day, he counted them and posted each commander in the appointed place.
Passage 361
माघस्याद्यदिने प्राप्तो रामस्यादेशतोऽङ्गदः। दूतो भूत्वा महाबुद्धिः सभां रक्षःपतेर्ययौ॥३६१॥
On the first day of Māgha, at Rāma's command, the highly intelligent Aṅgada went as an envoy to the rākṣasa king's assembly.
Passage 362
उवाच तत्र साक्षेपं रावणस्य पुरो वचः। धर्मद्वारेण मार्गेण सबान्धवपशु व्रज॥३६२॥
There he spoke this taunting declaration before Rāvaṇa: “Take the path through the gate of righteousness, together with your kinsmen and beasts.
Passage 363
शृणु रावण लङ्कायां स्थापितोऽत्र विभीषणः। श्रीरामेण महावीरः शिरोमुकुटभूषिणा॥३६३॥
“Hear this, Rāvaṇa: the great hero Vibhīṣaṇa has been installed here in Laṅkā by Śrī Rāma, whose head is adorned with a crown.”
Passage 364
इति कर्णकटून्यद्धा वचांस्याकर्ण्य रावणः। क्रुद्धोऽङ्गदस्य बन्धाय राक्षसानादिदेश ह॥३६४॥
Hearing these words that struck his ears harshly, Rāvaṇa became enraged and ordered the rākṣasas to bind Aṅgada.
Passage 365
हत्वा बालिसुतः सर्वान् बलेन बलिनो रिपून्। भित्त्वा राजाशरोवेश्म गर्जन् यातो नभोऽध्वना॥३६५॥
Bālī's son used his strength to strike down all the powerful enemies, smashed the royal palace, and departed roaring along the path of the sky. The source prints the irregular compact form राजाशरोवेश्म; the English follows its clear narrative function as the royal palace.
Passage 366
माघे शुक्लद्वितीयातः सप्तम्यवधि चाभवत्। अतीव सङ्कुलं युद्धं रक्षोवानरसैन्ययोः॥३६६॥
From the second through the seventh of Māgha's bright fortnight, an exceedingly tumultuous battle raged between the rākṣasa and monkey armies.
Passage 367
युद्धावहारः समभूत् ततस्तत्र दिनद्वयम्। द्वादश्यां हनुमान् जघ्ने धूम्राक्षं नाम राक्षसम्॥३६७॥
Thereafter fighting ceased there for two days. On the twelfth Hanumān killed the rākṣasa named Dhūmrākṣa.
Passage 368
तेनैव निहतश्चक्रत्रयोदश्यां निशाचरः। चतुर्दशीं समारभ्य नीलेन दिवसैस्त्रिभिः॥३६८॥
On the thirteenth another night-roaming demon was slain by that same Hanumān. Beginning with the fourteenth, over three days, Nīla—
Passage 369
बलवान् निहतो युद्धे प्रहस्तो नाम राक्षसः। ततस्त्रिभिर्दिनैर्यावच्चतुर्थी दिनमुल्बणैः॥३६९॥
—slew in battle the powerful rākṣasa named Prahasta. Then, over three fierce days extending through the fourth—
Passage 370
बाणैर्विद्रावितो युद्धे रामेण खलु रावणः। पञ्चमीदिवसाद्बलैश्चतुर्भिरनुजो बली॥३७०॥
—Rāvaṇa was driven from battle by Rāma's arrows. From the fifth, over four days, Rāvaṇa's mighty younger brother—
Passage 371
कुम्भकर्णः सुनिद्राणो रावणेन प्रबोधितः। तदा युद्धावहारोऽभूदन्योन्यं सेनयोर्द्वयोः॥३७१॥
—Kumbhakarṇa, who was deep in sleep, was awakened by Rāvaṇa. During that interval fighting ceased between the two armies.
Passage 372
द्वाभ्यां दिनैः कुम्भकर्णो रामेण निशितैः शरैः। छित्त्वावयवशो युद्धे धरण्यां विनिपातितः॥३७२॥
Within two days Rāma cut Kumbhakarṇa limb from limb in battle with sharp arrows and brought him down upon the earth.
Passage 373
अस्मिन् युद्धे तु बहवो भक्षिताः कपिसञ्चयाः। श्रुत्वा सहोदरवधं रावणः शोकपीडितः॥३७३॥
In that battle many companies of monkeys were devoured. Hearing of his brother's death, Rāvaṇa was overwhelmed by grief—
Passage 374
विललाप महादुःखी कृष्णे पञ्चदशीदिने। तदा युद्धावहारोऽभूद्विलापे रावणस्य तु॥३७४॥
—and lamented in profound sorrow on the fifteenth of the dark fortnight. Fighting ceased while Rāvaṇa grieved.
Passage 375
फाल्गुनादर्धदिनारभ्य चतुर्थी दिवसावधि। नरान्तकमुखाः पञ्च घातिता वीरराक्षसाः॥३७५॥
Beginning midway through the first day of Phālguna and continuing through the fourth, five heroic rākṣasas led by Narāntaka were slain.
Passage 376
पञ्चमीदिवसादेवातिकायस्त्रिभिर्हतः। अष्टम्यां निहतौ कुम्भनिकुम्भौ पञ्चभिर्दिनैः॥३७६॥
Beginning on the fifth, Atikāya was slain within three days; and beginning on the eighth, Kumbha and Nikumbha were killed within five days.
Passage 377
मकराक्षश्च कपिभिश्चतुर्भिर्दिवसैर्हतः। संतर्प्याग्निमथ प्राप्य नभश्चरमहारथम्॥३७७॥
Makarākṣa too was slain by the monkeys within four days. Then, having propitiated the fire and obtained a great sky-going chariot—
Passage 378
कृष्णद्वितीयादिवसे रात्रौ शक्रजिता जितम्। ओषध्यानयनैर्यावत्तृतीयासप्तमीदिनम्॥३७८॥
—on the second day of the dark fortnight, at night, victory belonged to Indrajit. The bringing of medicinal herbs continued from the third through the seventh.
Passage 379
पञ्चाहं कृतवान् रामो युद्धावहरणं पुनः। अष्टमीदिवसात्षड्भिर्दिवसैर्विचरन् रणे॥३७९॥
Rāma again suspended the battle for five days. Then from the eighth, while ranging over the battlefield for six days—
Passage 380
लक्ष्मणेन युद्धं कुर्वन्निन्द्रजिद्विक्रमो हतः। ततो भूतादिने शोकाद् रुरोद खलु रावणः॥३८०॥
—the mighty Indrajit was killed while fighting Lakṣmaṇa. Then, on the day designated “bhūta,” the wicked Rāvaṇa wept in grief. The edition's note records चतुर्दशी (“the fourteenth”) as a variant for the date in the second pāda.
Passage 381
युद्धावहारः समभूद्दिनमेकं सुदुःखतः। पञ्चदश्यां ततः प्राप्तो रावणो राक्षसैः सह॥३८१॥
Because of that profound sorrow, fighting ceased for one day. Then on the fifteenth Rāvaṇa came forth together with the rākṣasas—
Passage 382
युद्धाय वानरान् निघ्नन् कुर्वन् विक्रममुल्बणम्। चैत्राद्यदिवसात्पञ्चदिवसे राक्षसाधिपाः॥३८२॥
—for battle, killing monkeys and displaying terrible valor. From the first day of Caitra over five days, the rākṣasa chiefs—
Passage 383
क्षयं नीताः शरै रामलक्ष्मणाभ्यां सुदारुणाः। षष्ठीदिवसतोऽष्टम्यां महापार्श्वादयो हताः॥३८३॥
—were brought to destruction by the fearsome arrows of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. From the sixth through the eighth, Mahāpārśva and the others were killed.
Passage 384
लक्ष्मणो हृदि निर्भिन्नः शक्त्या रावणमुक्तया। मूर्च्छितो न्यपतद्भूमौ नितरां शक्तिपीडितः॥३८४॥
Lakṣmaṇa's heart was pierced by the spear released by Rāvaṇa. Deeply afflicted by the weapon, he fainted and fell upon the earth.
Passage 385
व्यद्रावयद्रणाद्रामो दशास्यं नवमीदिने। विशल्यकरणीं दिव्यामौषधिं हनुमांस्ततः॥३८५॥
On the ninth day Rāma drove the ten-faced king from battle. Hanumān then brought the divine wound-healing herb—
Passage 386
द्रोणाद्रेरानयत्तस्याः स्पर्शादासीद्विशल्यकः। युद्धावहारः समभूत्ततश्च दशमीदिने॥३८६॥
—from Mount Droṇa, and at its touch Lakṣmaṇa became free of the embedded weapon. Fighting then ceased on the tenth day.
Passage 387
रात्रौ युद्धमभूद्भूयः प्रविश्य कपिभिस्ततः। लङ्का प्रज्वालिता स्वर्गाद्रथं मातलिरानयत्॥३८७॥
At night battle arose again. The monkeys entered Laṅkā and set it ablaze, while Mātali brought a chariot down from heaven.
Passage 388
तमास्थाय ततो रामो हन्तुं दशमुखं ययौ। द्वादश्यादिवसाद्यावद्भूतामष्टादशैर्दिनैः॥३८८॥
Mounting it, Rāma went to kill the ten-faced king. From the twelfth until the day designated “bhūta,” eighteen days elapsed—
Passage 389
रामरावणयोर्युद्धे रामेण रावणो हतः। इत्थं त्रिजगतां शल्यः कण्टकोऽमरराज्जयी॥३८९॥
—and in the battle between Rāma and Rāvaṇa, Rāvaṇa was slain by Rāma. Thus the torment and thorn of the three worlds, conqueror of the king of the immortals—
Passage 390
अन्तं नीतो दशमुखः श्रीरामेण महौजसा। ततो देवगणाः सर्वे हर्षसम्भृतमानसाः॥३९०॥
—the ten-faced one, was brought to his end by mighty Śrī Rāma. Then all the hosts of gods, their hearts filled with joy—
Passage 391
कुसुमैः कल्पतरुजैः श्रीरामं समवाकिरन्। माघशुक्लद्वितीयातो यावद्भूतादिनं मधोः॥३९१॥
—showered Śrī Rāma with flowers born from the wish-fulfilling trees. From the second of Māgha's bright fortnight through the “bhūta” day of spring—
Passage 392
सप्ताशीति दिनान्यासीद्युद्धं पञ्चदशैर्विना। वानस्पत्यदिनेष्वासीत्तेषां दाहक्रिया ततः॥३९२॥
—the war lasted eighty-seven days, excluding fifteen. Their cremation rites were then performed on the days designated “vānaspatya.”
Passage 393
वैशाखाद्यदिने रामः सुवेलं नाम पर्वतम्। जगाम वानरैः साकं जित्वा लङ्काधिपं सुधीः॥३९३॥
On the first day of Vaiśākha, the wise Rāma, having conquered Laṅkā's lord, went with the monkeys to the mountain named Suvela. The edition's note records चतुर्दशी (“the fourteenth”) as a variant for the opening date.
Passage 394
वादित्रगीतमाङ्गल्यैर्लङ्कापुर्यां विभीषणः। राज्याभिषेकविधिना स्थापितो रामसेवकः॥३९४॥
Amid auspicious instrumental music and song in the city of Laṅkā, Rāma's servant Vibhīṣaṇa was installed through the rite of royal consecration.
Passage 395
आनीता च पुरात् सीता श्रीमत्सौमित्रिणा सती। अशोकवनिकामध्याद् रामविच्छेदकर्शिता। तृतीयादिवसे रामः सीतां शुद्ध्यर्थमूचिवान्॥३९५॥
The faithful Sītā, wasted by separation from Rāma, was brought from the middle of the aśoka grove by illustrious Saumitri. On the third day Rāma spoke to Sītā concerning her purification.
Passage 396
श्रीराम उवाच— जानामि नित्यसंशुद्धां त्वामहं जनकात्मजे। न ते लीलां विजानन्ति ब्रह्माद्या अपि देवताः॥३९६॥
Śrī Rāma said: “Daughter of Janaka, I know you to be eternally pure. Even Brahmā and the other gods do not comprehend your divine play.
Passage 397
इमां लीलां त्वमकरोर्भूभारक्षयहेतवे। राक्षसा वानराश्चैव संख्यातीताः महीतले॥३९७॥
“You enacted this play in order to remove the earth's burden. Countless rākṣasas and monkeys lived upon the earth—
Passage 398
त्वया कृतः क्षयस्तेषां रावणाहरणच्छलात्। धर्मस्य स्थापनार्थाय भक्तिपुष्ट्यर्थहेतवे॥३९८॥
“—and through the pretext of Rāvaṇa's abduction you brought about their destruction, for establishing dharma and nourishing devotion.
Passage 399
तथापि जगदज्ञानान्मा नो निन्दयात् कदाचन। अतस्त्वां शोधयिष्यामि दीप्तेऽग्नौ गार्हपत्यके॥३९९॥
“Nevertheless, because of the world's ignorance, let it never condemn us. I shall therefore establish your purity in the blazing household fire.”
Passage 400
इति पत्युर्वचः श्रुत्वा पाणौ पाणिं प्रगृह्य च। निनाय सा सुवेलाद्रेर्महागह्वरकाननम्॥४००॥
Hearing her husband's words, she took his hand in hers and led him into the forest of a great cavern on Mount Suvela.
Passage 401
विमानं तत्र वै दिव्यमाजगाम महोज्ज्वलम्। तमारुरुहतुस्तौ च दम्पती ललनाज्ञया॥४०१॥
A divine and brilliantly radiant aerial vehicle arrived there, and at the lady's command the married couple boarded it.
Passage 402
रामो विमानमारुह्य ललनां न व्यलोकत। विमानवर्यं तद्दिव्यं जगाम व्योमवर्त्मना॥४०२॥
After boarding the vehicle, Rāma could no longer see the lady. That excellent divine craft traveled along the path of the sky—
Passage 403
सीताकुञ्जं सरय्वां वै रमणीयं प्रतिष्ठितम्। यत्र सा काञ्चनी भूमिर्मणिरत्नमहोज्ज्वला॥४०३॥
—to Sītā's delightful grove established beside the Sarayū, where the golden ground shone magnificently with jewels and gems.
Passage 404
प्रमोदविपिनं नाम वनं यत्र मनोरमम्। अनेककुञ्जपुञ्जाढ्यं गुञ्जद्भ्रमरसङ्कुलम्॥४०४॥
There lay the enchanting forest named Pramodavipina, rich with clusters of countless bowers and filled with humming bees.
Passage 405
कूजत्कोकिलमानन्दि कौककेलिगणावृतम्। अनेककल्पवृक्षाढ्यमनर्घ्यं रामणीयकम्॥४०५॥
It delighted in the calls of cuckoos and was surrounded by flocks of playful birds, rich with innumerable wish-fulfilling trees and of priceless beauty.
Passage 406
यत्र श्रीसहजानन्दरूपिण्येषा व्यवस्थिता। कल्याणगुणसन्दोहा प्रेमानन्दस्वरूपिणी॥४०६॥
There she abides in the form of Śrī Sahajānanda, a treasury of auspicious qualities and the very embodiment of the bliss of love.
Passage 407
ब्रह्मानन्दं तृणीकुर्वद्भक्तसन्दोहभूषिता। दिव्यप्रासादवराङ्गा कल्पवृक्षतलस्थिता॥४०७॥
She makes even the bliss of Brahman seem like straw and is adorned by hosts of devotees. Possessing the finest chambers of a divine palace, she sits beneath a wish-fulfilling tree—
Passage 408
मणिवेदीलसत्स्वर्णरत्नसिंहासनस्थिता। महारत्नासनवरस्थितानेकसखीवृता॥४०८॥
—upon a golden, jewel-studded lion throne shining on a gem platform, surrounded by many companions seated upon magnificent jeweled seats.
Passage 409
तत्प्रमोदवनं तस्याः कोणाष्टकसमन्वितम्। पूर्वं कृष्णवनं नाम ततो राधावनाभिधम्॥४०९॥
Her Pramodavana has eight directional corners. In the east is the domain named Kṛṣṇavana, followed by the one called Rādhāvana.
Passage 410
तृतीयं वापि वैकुण्ठं रमावैकुण्ठकं ततः। ततः श्रीरामवैकुण्ठं षष्ठं सीतानिकेतनम्॥४१०॥
The third is Vaikuṇṭha; then comes Ramā-vaikuṇṭha, thereafter Śrī Rāma-vaikuṇṭha, and the sixth is Sītā's abode.
Passage 411
सप्तमं सुखितागारमष्टमं सहजास्पदम्। तन्मध्ये तन्महारम्यं प्रमोदवनमुत्तमम्॥४११॥
The seventh is Sukhitāgāra and the eighth Sahajāspada. In their midst lies the supremely and magnificently lovely Pramodavana.
Passage 412
यत्र श्रीसहजारामौ युग्मत्वेन व्यवस्थितौ। महासाम्राज्यगुणभू नित्यलीलारसास्पदौ॥४१२॥
There Śrī Sahajā and Rāma abide as a divine couple, the ground of the qualities of supreme sovereignty and the seat of the nectar of eternal play.
Passage 413
पर्यन्ततः सखीवृन्दं स्वस्वकुञ्जप्रतिष्ठितम्। रामा श्यामा च सापत्न्यौ श्रीरामरतिनन्दिते॥४१३॥
Around them the companies of companions dwell in their respective bowers. Rāmā and Śyāmā, co-wives delighted by love for Śrī Rāma—
Passage 414
प्रमोदविपिने ताभ्यां रमते रामचन्द्रमाः। पूर्णः सर्वगुणाधीशः शरत्पूर्ण इवोडुपः॥४१४॥
—sport with Rāmacandra in Pramodavipina. Complete and sovereign over every quality, he shines like the full autumn moon.
Passage 415
तं कुञ्जं स समासाद्य विमानादवतीर्य च। दिव्यं श्रीसहजानन्दासदनं वीक्ष्य विस्मितः॥४१५॥
Reaching that grove and descending from the aerial vehicle, Rāma was amazed when he saw the divine abode of Śrī Sahajānandā.
Passage 416
तस्याः सखीजनेर्हृष्टः श्रीरामोऽन्तः प्रवेशितः। प्रविश्य सीताकुञ्जेऽसौ महासौभाग्यमण्डिते॥४१६॥
Her delighted companions led Śrī Rāma inside. Entering Sītā's grove, adorned with supreme good fortune—
Passage 417
अपश्यत्तत्र तस्याश्च महासाम्राज्यसम्पदम्। कालशक्तिं समादिव्य मायाशक्तिं च वश्यगाम्॥४१७॥
—he beheld there the wealth of her supreme sovereignty: the power of time under her command and the power of māyā subject to her will.
Passage 418
सृजति स्थापयत्यत्ति सहजानन्दिनी स्वयम्। मूलं सर्वावताराणां स्वयमेव प्रतिष्ठिता॥४१८॥
Sahajānandinī herself creates, sustains, and consumes, and she herself abides as the root of every avatāra.
Passage 419
अशेषगुणसन्दोहवशीकारविधायिनी। ब्रह्मणश्चापि विष्णोश्च रुद्रस्य च विधायिनी॥४१९॥
She brings the entire host of qualities under control and is the originator of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Rudra.
Passage 420
कटाक्षक्षेपमात्रेण कोटिब्रह्माण्डकारिणी। सप्तस्वर्गमहास्थानं सप्तपातालसंस्थितिः॥४२०॥
By the mere casting of a sidelong glance she brings crores of universes into being; she is the great foundation of the seven heavens and the existence of the seven netherworlds.
Passage 421
चिदानन्दकलापूर्णा गुणातीता गुणेश्वरी। कारणं कारणानां च साधिपाधिपरूपिणी॥४२१॥
Full of the powers of consciousness and bliss, she transcends the qualities and is their sovereign. She is the cause of all causes and the ruler of rulers.
Passage 422
उपादानं निमित्तं च सर्वाधिष्ठानरूपिणी। आधेयविश्व रूपा च रामणीयकविग्रहा॥४२२॥
She is both material and efficient cause and the substratum of all. The universe rests within her, and her form is beauty itself.
Passage 423
शृङ्गाररसमाधुर्यमयी प्रेमसुखाकृतिः। एकापि सा द्विधाभूत्वा सहजा रामरूपिणी॥४२३॥
She consists of the sweetness of the rasa of divine love and is the form of love's delight. Though one, she becomes two as Sahajā and the form of Rāma—
Passage 424
रमणं रमयत्यन्तं महाभावरसोदधिः। तादृशीं तां स्वयं वीक्ष्य सहजानन्दिनीश्वरीम्॥४२४॥
—and, an ocean of the rasa of mahābhāva, she delights her beloved without limit. Seeing for himself that sovereign Sahajānandinī in such a form—
Passage 425
विस्मितोऽभूद् रामचन्द्रः क्षणं निर्निमिषेक्षणः। समुत्थाय ततः सा तं स्वासनात्सहजेश्वरी॥४२५॥
—Rāmacandra was astonished and gazed without blinking for a moment. Then Sahajeśvarī rose from her own seat to receive him—
Passage 426
अर्धासनदक्षभागे स्मितशोभिमुखाम्बुजा। उवाच रमणं रामं रमणी नित्यसङ्गता॥४२६॥
Taking the right half of the seat, her lotus face radiant with a smile, the eternally united lady addressed her beloved Rāma.
Passage 427
कान्त त्वयाहं सततं सङ्गता नित्यकेलिनी। प्रमोदवनमध्यस्था रमामि वनकेलिभिः॥४२७॥
“Beloved, I am eternally united with you and forever engaged in divine play. Dwelling in the midst of Pramodavana, I delight in the forest sports.
Passage 428
न मां रक्षोऽधिपो जह्रे नाहं लङ्कां गताविभो। न च मे विरहो जातो न च मां नीतवान् भवान्॥४२८॥
“The lord of the rākṣasas did not abduct me, O Lord, nor did I go to Laṅkā. I never suffered separation, nor did you take me anywhere.
Passage 429
भवान् किं नैव जानाति प्राणनाथ स्वकां गतिम्। मानुषीं गतिमाश्रित्य मूढवत्किन्नु दृश्यसे॥४२९॥
“Lord of my life, do you not know your own divine course? Why do you appear as though bewildered after assuming a human condition?
Passage 430
भूमेर्भारविनाशाय प्रमोदवनमध्यतः। अंशेनास्म्यवतीर्णाहं चतुर्धा जनकालये॥४३०॥
“To remove the earth's burden, I descended by an aṃśa from the midst of Pramodavana, manifesting fourfold in Janaka's house.
Passage 431
त्वमपीश रामचन्द्रः स्वयं दशरथालये। अवतीर्णोऽसि भगवान् पुराणपुरुषोत्तमः॥४३१॥
“You too, O Lord, descended yourself into Daśaratha's house as Rāmacandra—the blessed, primordial Supreme Person.
Passage 432
आवयोर्विविधां लीलां जना गास्यन्ति भूतले। मुक्तये सर्वभूतानां साधूनां चानुरक्तये॥४३२॥
“People upon the earth will sing of our many divine plays for the liberation of all beings and the loving attachment of the saints.
Passage 433
अत्रस्थावपि चावां वै कुर्वहे कोसलापुरे। लीलां सर्वस्य सुखदां तथान्यत्र निजालये॥४३३॥
“Even while abiding here, we enact in the city of Kosala a līlā that gives joy to everyone, and likewise in our own eternal abode elsewhere.
Passage 434
न चैवानुप्रपन्नं नौ किमपीहात्मकेलिनोः। नित्यात्मनोर्व्यापकयोः परब्रह्मस्वरूपिणोः॥४३४॥
“Nothing at all is unattained by the two of us who sport within the Self, eternal and all-pervading embodiments of Parabrahman.
Passage 435
अथापि भवतोक्तं यत्प्रिय मामकशुद्धये। तत्रावजाने भगवँल्लोकलीलानुरोधतः॥४३५॥
“Nevertheless, beloved Lord, I accept what you have said concerning my purification, in accordance with the requirements of the worldly līlā.
Passage 436
भवान् पुराणधर्मज्ञो मर्यादापुरुषोत्तमः। उपासीनो लोकमेव मा मे कुत्सां करोत्विति॥४३६॥
“You are the primordial knower of dharma, Maryādā Puruṣottama, attending to the world so that it may never cast reproach upon me.”
Passage 437
श्रीशिव उवाच— इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा रामस्तत्त्वविदां पतिः। उवाच परमं सीतां सहजानन्दकुञ्जगाम्॥४३७॥
Śrī Śiva said: Hearing her words, Rāma, lord of the knowers of truth, addressed supreme Sītā in the bower of Sahajānanda.
Passage 438
न ते स्वरूपमाहात्म्यं वेदानामपि गोचरः। यत्र देवा विमुह्यन्ति शब्दः किं तत्र शक्नुयात्॥४३८॥
“The greatness of your essential nature lies beyond even the Vedas. Where the gods themselves are bewildered, what could words accomplish?
Passage 439
स्वात्मैकमात्रवेद्यासि सहजानन्दिनी स्वयम्। यल्लीलागुणकर्माणि जगद्विस्मापयन्ति हि॥४३९॥
“O Sahajānandinī, you are knowable solely by your own Self; your līlā, qualities, and acts truly fill the world with wonder.
Passage 440
लोके विहरसि स्वैरं स्वमायागुणसंवृता। भक्तानामनुकम्पार्थं मुक्तये स्वानुभूतये॥४४०॥
“You move freely through the world, veiled by the qualities of your own māyā, out of compassion for devotees—for liberation and direct realization of yourself.
Passage 441
क्षमस्व सहजानन्दे स्वरूपं ते न गोचरः। मयापि किमुतान्येषां पादोपास्तिरतात्मनाम्॥४४१॥
“Forgive me, Sahajānandā. Your true nature is inaccessible even to me; how much more so to others whose minds are devoted merely to worship at your feet?
Passage 442
किं चिकीर्षसि वै नित्यं किं करोषि किमीप्स्यसि। इति ते स्वमतं लोके ज्ञातुं कोऽपि न हि क्षमः॥४४२॥
“What you eternally intend to do, what you do, and what you desire—no one in the world is capable of knowing this inner will of yours.
Passage 443
परावाग्रूपिणी भूत्वा सम्प्रवर्तयसे बुधान्। फलाकाङ्क्षायुतास्तत्र पतन्त्यभ्युद्धताः परे॥४४३॥
“Taking the form of transcendent Speech, you set the wise in motion; yet others, proud and attached to desire for results, fall away.
Passage 444
बुद्धिस्वरूपिणी भूत्वा प्रभा चाप्यप्रमा ह्यसि। पूर्वा तारयसे विश्वमधो नयसि चापरा॥४४४॥
“Taking the form of intelligence, you are immeasurable radiance. As the higher power you carry the world across; as the lower, you lead it downward.
Passage 445
सर्वस्वरूपिणी साक्षात् परब्रह्मस्वरूपिणी। त्वं लक्ष्मीस्त्वं रतिर्गीस्त्वं प्रीतिस्त्वं कीर्तिरेव च॥४४५॥
“You directly embody every form and are the form of Parabrahman. You are Lakṣmī, Rati, Speech, affection, and fame.
Passage 446
शान्तिस्त्वं तुष्टिरेवापि पुष्टिस्त्वं नात्र संशयः। मेधा प्रज्ञा प्रभा च त्वं विद्या त्वं धीर्धृतिः स्मृतिः॥४४६॥
“You are peace, contentment, and nourishment—of this there is no doubt. You are intelligence, insight, radiance, knowledge, understanding, constancy, and memory.
Passage 447
बुद्धिर्विद्याप्यविद्या च सर्वविद्येश्वरी च सा। सर्वशक्तिमयी देवी सर्वमन्त्रेश्वरी च सा॥४४७॥
“You are intellect, knowledge, and ignorance, and the sovereign of every science. You are the goddess formed of every power and the sovereign of every mantra.
Passage 448
त्वं नित्या चित्कला शान्ता शान्त्यतीता पराकुला। निष्कला च कलाभासा सकला चापि निष्कला॥४४८॥
“You are eternal, the power of consciousness, tranquil and beyond tranquility, the supreme totality. You are without parts yet shine through parts; you are both possessed of parts and partless.
Passage 449
एकानेका व्यापिका च परब्रह्मेति गीयसे। न हि त्वं रावणग्राह्या व्यापकब्रह्मरूपिणी॥४४९॥
“You are one and many, all-pervading, and praised as Parabrahman. As the form of all-pervading Brahman, you could never be seized by Rāvaṇa.
Passage 450
क्षयाय राक्षसौघस्य तथा लीलां चकार हि। सदसद्व्यक्तये चैव साधूनां पालनाय च॥४५०॥
“You enacted that līlā for the destruction of the rākṣasa host, for manifesting the real and unreal, and for protecting the saints.
Passage 451
त्वमेव सर्वं कुरुषे मम मूर्ध्नि निधाय च। नाहं कर्ता ह्युदासीनः कर्त्री त्वं सर्वदा प्रिये॥४५१॥
“You alone do everything, though placing it upon my head. I am not the doer but remain detached; you are always the agent, beloved.
Passage 452
भक्तिमार्गमधिष्ठाय भक्तेषु त्वं कृपावती। ममापि करुणारूपा तथैव च नियोजिका। किं बहूक्तेन सहजे सर्वं त्वं मत्स्वरूपिणी॥४५२॥
“Presiding over the path of devotion, you are compassionate toward devotees. For me too you are compassion embodied and likewise the one who directs me. What need is there of saying much? O Sahajā, you are everything, the embodiment of my own Self.”
Passage 453
इत्युक्ता रामचन्द्रेण सहजानन्दिनी स्वयम्। प्रोवाच स्मितरम्यास्या प्रसादसुमुखी प्रिया॥४५३॥
Thus addressed by Rāmacandra, Sahajānandinī herself—his beloved, her lovely face smiling and gracious—spoke.
Passage 454
श्रीसीतोवाच— गच्छाधुना महाभाग कुरु कार्यं महीतले। कृत्वा भूभारहरणं व्यवस्थाप्य तथा वृषम्॥४५४॥
Śrī Sītā said: “Go now, greatly blessed one, and accomplish your work upon the earth: remove the earth's burden and establish Dharma.
Passage 455
साधूनां चामराणां च पूरयित्वा मनोरथम्। इदं पुनः स्वकं धाम समुपेष्यसि राघव॥४५५॥
“Having fulfilled the hearts' desires of the saints and the immortals, O Rāghava, you will return once more to this, your own abode.”
Passage 456
श्रीराम उवाच— न त्वां विनाहं यास्यामि क्षणमप्यवनीतले। अशक्तो निष्प्रभावोऽहं त्वया विरहितः प्रिये॥४५६॥
Śrī Rāma said: “I will not go to the earth even for a moment without you. Separated from you, beloved, I am powerless and without potency.”
Passage 457
श्रीसीतोवाच— यत्रैवान्तर्हिता कान्त विमानारोहणक्षणे। तत्रैवाहमुपेष्यामि याहि निःशङ्कमित्यतः॥४५७॥
Śrī Sītā said: “Beloved, I shall return precisely to the place where I disappeared at the moment of boarding the aerial car. Therefore go without fear.
Passage 458
देवानां च मुनीनां च ब्राह्मणानां तथा पुरः। अहमग्नौ प्रवेक्ष्यामि स्वरूपस्य विशुद्धये॥४५८॥
“Before the gods, sages, and brāhmaṇas, I shall enter the fire to demonstrate the purity of my true form.
Passage 459
गार्हपत्याग्निमाविष्टा रावणाहरणक्षणे। मम छाया हृता तेन मायारूपेव रक्षसा॥४५९॥
“At the moment of Rāvaṇa's abduction I had entered the Gārhapatya fire; that rākṣasa seized my shadow, which was indeed illusory in form.
Passage 460
प्रवेक्ष्यति पुनः साग्नौ करिष्याम्यहमुद्भवम्। प्रदर्शनाय लोकानां मम लीला भविष्यति॥४६०॥
“That shadow will re-enter the fire, and I shall arise. This will be my līlā for the instruction of the world.”
Passage 461
इत्युक्तः प्रियया रामो विमानं भास्करोपमम्। आरुह्य शीघ्रं प्रमुद्वनाद् जगाम लङ्कापुरम्॥४६१॥
Thus addressed by his beloved, Rāma quickly boarded an aerial car resembling the sun and went from Pramudvana to the city of Laṅkā.
Passage 462
यस्मिन् वने महाघोरे सीतान्तर्धानमागता। तत्रैव स समागत्य यानादवरुरोह च॥४६२॥
He arrived at the very place in the dreadful forest where Sītā had disappeared and descended from the vehicle.
Passage 463
अपश्यत्तद्वने तां च पुष्पावचयकारिणीम्। सहजानन्दिनीं सीतां श्रीरामानन्यवल्लभाम्॥४६३॥
There in the forest he beheld Sahajānandinī Sītā, Śrī Rāma's incomparable beloved, gathering flowers.
Passage 464
ततस्तौ सहितौ भूत्वा तस्मात् स्थानादुपेयतुः। पश्यतां सर्वदेवानां मुनीनां च द्विजन्मनाम्॥४६४॥
Then the two, reunited, came from that place while all the gods, sages, and twice-born looked on.
Passage 465
अन्येषां चापि भूतानां लक्ष्मणस्य च पश्यतः। समिद्धे गार्हपत्येऽग्नौ रामः सीतामशोधयत्॥४६५॥
As Lakṣmaṇa and the other beings watched, Rāma subjected Sītā to the test in the blazing Gārhapatya fire.
Passage 466
एषा परस्य सदनं प्रविष्टा स्त्रीस्वभावतः। यद्यदुष्टा भवेत्सीता त्वमग्ने साक्षितां व्रज॥४६६॥
“She entered another man's dwelling, as befalls a woman. If Sītā is uncorrupted, O Agni, come forward as her witness.”
Passage 467
अथ सीता स्वयं देवी पातिव्रत्यपरायणा। मुक्ताहारयुता भूत्वा सुवस्त्रा मृदुविग्रहा॥४६७॥
Then the goddess Sītā herself, wholly devoted to fidelity to her husband, adorned with a pearl necklace, beautifully clothed, and tender-limbed— Source note: The printed edition marks one pāda of this verse as containing an extra syllable in the archaic reading.
Passage 468
निपपात समिद्धेऽग्नौ तदाग्निः शीतलोऽभवत्। अङ्गाराः पद्मतां जग्मुर्ज्वालाधारा सुधाभवत्॥४६८॥
—fell into the blazing fire. That fire became cool; its embers turned into lotuses, and its streaming flames became nectar.
Passage 469
भगवान् गार्हपत्याग्निः श्रीयज्ञः पुरुषः स्वयम्। स्वाहास्वधाभ्यां संयुक्तो वामदक्षिणपार्श्वयोः॥४६९॥
The blessed Gārhapatya Agni, himself the glorious sacrificial Puruṣa, appeared accompanied by Svāhā and Svadhā on his left and right sides.
Passage 470
रत्नसिंहासनासीनां चामरद्वयवीजिताम्। अव्याहताङ्गवसनामव्याहतसुमौक्तिकाम्॥४७०॥
Sītā sat upon a jeweled throne, fanned by a pair of yak-tail whisks, with the garments upon her limbs unharmed and her beautiful pearls unbroken.
Passage 471
अव्याहतालकां देवीं करे संस्थाप्य जानकीम्। स्वात्मानं दर्शयामास ववन्दे तं च राघवः॥४७१॥
Placing the goddess Jānakī—her locks unharmed—upon his hand, Agni revealed his own form, and Rāghava bowed to him.
Passage 472
अथ व्योम्नि स्थिता देवास्तथा ब्रह्मर्षयोऽखिलाः। देवर्षयो नारदाद्या ये चान्ये ऋषिसत्तमाः॥४७२॥
Then there were the gods stationed in the sky, all the brahmarṣis, the divine sages headed by Nārada, and the other foremost seers;
Passage 473
राजा दशरथश्चैव देवयानमुपाश्रितः। जनकश्चैव योगीन्द्रोऽन्ये च राजर्षयोऽखिलाः॥४७३॥
King Daśaratha, who had taken his place in a celestial vehicle; the great yogin Janaka; and all the other royal sages;
Passage 474
ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च शक्राद्याश्चैव निर्जराः। ब्राह्मणा भूमिसंस्थाश्च कपीन्द्राश्चातिधार्मिकाः॥४७४॥
Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Rudra, and the deathless gods headed by Śakra; the brāhmaṇas standing upon the earth; and the supremely righteous lords of the monkeys;
Passage 475
वासुकिप्रमुखा नागा ये चान्ये तत्र सङ्गताः। ऊचुर्वचनमभ्येत्य श्रीरामं धर्मवित्तमम्॥४७५॥
the nāgas headed by Vāsuki, and all the others assembled there—these approached Śrī Rāma, the foremost knower of dharma, and addressed him.
Passage 476
कर्मणा मनसा वाचा सीतानन्यप्रतिव्रता। शुद्धा शुद्धा पुनः शुद्धा माऽशङ्किष्ठा रघूद्वह॥४७६॥
“In deed, mind, and speech, Sītā is devoted to you alone. She is pure, pure, and yet again pure—do not doubt it, scion of Raghu.
Passage 477
अस्याः स्वरूपं माहात्म्यं गुणांश्चैव रघूद्वह। सर्वं जानासि मनसि स्वयमेव विशेषतः॥४७७॥
“You yourself know especially well within your heart, O scion of Raghu, her essential nature, greatness, and qualities.”
Passage 478
अथ दुन्दुभयो नेदुर्दिवि देवनिनादिताः। सीताविशुद्धिवृत्तान्तं जगुर्गन्धर्वकिन्नराः॥४७८॥
Then divine drums resounded in heaven, and the gandharvas and kinnaras sang the account of Sītā's purity.
Passage 479
प्रणम्य गार्हपत्यं च सीतामादाय राघवः। मुमुदे विश्वदयितो राक्षसौघविनाशकृत्॥४७९॥
Having bowed to Gārhapatya Agni and received Sītā, Rāghava—the beloved of the universe and destroyer of the rākṣasa host—rejoiced.
Passage 480
गार्हपत्यस्तमेकान्ते यथावृत्तं निवेद्य च। सीताप्रवेशनं स्वस्मिञ्छायाया हरणं तथा॥४८०॥
Taking him aside, Gārhapatya Agni related everything exactly as it had occurred: Sītā's entrance into himself and the abduction of her shadow.
Passage 481
स्तुतोऽभिवन्दितस्तेन यथास्थानं जगाम सः। ततो रामः पुष्पकाग्रमध्यासीनः स्वकां पुरीम्॥४८१॥
Praised and reverently saluted by Rāma, Agni returned to his proper station. Then Rāma, taking his seat aboard the foremost Puṣpaka aerial car—
Passage 482
गन्तुं प्रस्थितवान् व्योम्नि सीतालक्ष्मणसंयुतः। चतुर्थी दिवसे भूयः कृतमङ्गलकौतुकः॥४८२॥
—set out through the sky for his own city, accompanied by Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa. On Caturthī, the fourth lunar day, auspicious festivities were again performed.
Passage 483
भक्तैः कपिवरैः साकं महत्या मुदया युतः। इत्थं विधाय वै वासं वने वर्षाणि चतुर्दश॥४८३॥
Together with his devotees and the foremost monkeys, and filled with immense joy, he thus completed his fourteen years of residence in the forest.
Passage 484
ततोऽसौ दण्डकात्प्राप्तो भारद्वाजाश्रमं प्रभुः। पञ्चम्यां तेन मुनिना रामो वै सत्कृतश्च सः॥४८४॥
Then the Lord came from Daṇḍaka to Bharadvāja's hermitage. On Pañcamī, the fifth lunar day, that sage duly honored Rāma.
Passage 485
भरतेन समं षष्ठ्यां नन्दिग्रामनिवासिना। आसीत्समागमस्तस्य परमानन्दवर्द्धनः॥४८५॥
On Ṣaṣṭhī, the sixth lunar day, he met Bharata, who dwelt in Nandigrāma; their meeting increased the highest bliss.
Passage 486
वन्दितो भरतेनासौ मुदितस्तं च सस्वजे। सप्तम्यां संगतैः पौरैः परमोत्सवपूर्वकम्॥४८६॥
Bharata bowed to him, and Rāma joyfully embraced him. On Saptamī, the seventh lunar day, amid the assembled citizens and with the greatest festivity—
Passage 487
श्रीरामः सीतया साकमयोध्यायां प्रवेशितः। महासाम्राज्यपदवीं प्राप्तोऽसौ सम्यगर्चितः॥४८७॥
—Śrī Rāma entered Ayodhyā with Sītā. Duly honored, he attained the station of universal emperor.
Passage 488
अथ भाद्रपदे मासि नवम्यां श्रीविदेहजा। अधत्त गर्भं मार्तण्डवंशविस्तारकारणम्॥४८८॥
Then, on Navamī in the month of Bhādrapada, Śrī Videhajā conceived the child who would continue the solar dynasty.
Passage 489
इति रामायणं शास्त्रं त्वदग्रे कथितं मया। चरितं सहजादेव्या रामस्य च महात्मनः॥४८९॥
“Thus I have related before you the Rāmāyaṇa scripture—the deeds of Sahajā Devī and of the great-souled Rāma.
Passage 490
यावन्ति चरितान्यत्र रामस्य परमात्मनः। तानि सर्वाणि बोध्यानि सहजायाश्चिदाकृतेः॥४९०॥
“All the deeds of Rāma, the Supreme Self, that appear here should also be understood as the deeds of Sahajā, whose form is consciousness.
Passage 491
सहजायाश्चरित्राणि गीतानि सुमनीषिभिः। पावनानि त्रिजगतां ध्यातव्यानि विशेषतः॥४९१॥
“The deeds of Sahajā, sung by the truly wise, purify the three worlds and should especially be contemplated.
Passage 492
स्वयं श्रीसहजादेवी श्रीराजिनि तवाङ्गजा। जनकस्यालये जाता चकार चरितावलीः॥४९२॥
“Śrī Sahajā Devī herself, O Śrī Rājinī, was born as your daughter in Janaka's house and performed this succession of deeds.
Passage 493
केकयीवाक्स्वरूपेण स्वयमेवाविरास च। विहर्तुं स्वैरमीशेन जगाम विपिनं घनम्॥४९३॥
“She herself manifested in the form of Kaikeyī's words and went into the dense forest to sport freely with the Lord.
Passage 494
तत्र द्वादशवर्षान्ते रक्षसां क्षयहेतवे। रक्षोनाथस्य कुमतेर्बुद्धिरूपा व्यवर्तत॥४९४॥
“There, at the end of twelve years, she operated as the thought within the evil-minded lord of the rākṣasas in order to bring about their destruction.
Passage 495
अन्यथा रामो भगवान् ब्रह्मण्यो धर्मपालकः। कथं हन्यात्पुलस्त्यस्य तनयं सकुलं युधि॥४९५॥
“Otherwise, how could Bhagavān Rāma, devoted to the brāhmaṇas and protector of dharma, have slain Pulastya's son together with his clan in battle?
Passage 496
कथं च रावणोऽप्यद्धा सर्ववेदप्रवर्तकः। हरेत् परस्त्रियं मोहात्त्रैलोक्यविजयी हठात्॥४९६॥
“And how could Rāvaṇa—truly a promoter of all the Vedas and conqueror of the three worlds—have violently abducted another man's wife out of delusion?
Passage 497
सर्वं श्रीसहजादेव्याश्चरित्रमिदमद्भुतम्। ततश्च सहजं धाम प्रमोदवनसंज्ञितम्॥४९७॥
“All this is the wondrous līlā of Śrī Sahajā Devī. Then, to attain the Sahaja abode called Pramodavana—
Passage 498
प्राप्तुं निजस्वरूपेण विहर्तुं त्वरितोऽभवत्। तस्मादस्याश्चरित्राणि तव पुत्र्याश्चिदाकृतेः॥४९८॥
“—and sport there in his own essential form, Rāma hastened onward. Therefore the deeds of this daughter of yours, whose form is consciousness—
Passage 499
न तत्त्वतो विजानामि किमुतान्ये सुरादयः। इति विज्ञाय सततं राजिनि त्वं महामते॥४९९॥
“—even I do not know in their full truth, much less do the gods and others. Knowing this always, O exceedingly wise Rājinī—
Passage 500
आनुकूल्येन वर्तस्व प्रातिकूल्याद्विनङ्क्ष्यसि। नास्याश्चिकीर्षां प्रभवन्ति विज्ञातुं सुरेश्वराः॥५००॥
“—conduct yourself favorably toward her, for through opposition you will perish. Even the lords of the gods are incapable of knowing what she intends to do.”
Passage 501
यथेयं कुरुते लीलां तथा गायन्ति तत्त्वतः। ध्यायन्त्येनां विशेषेण भक्तिमन्तो मुमुक्षवः॥५०१॥
Devout seekers of liberation sing her līlā truthfully just as she performs it, and they meditate especially upon her.
Passage 502
तरन्ति भवपाथोधिमस्याः सकरुणेक्षणात्। सीताऽगाद्रावणगृहं तत्रान्यत्कारणान्तरम्॥५०२॥
Through her compassion-filled glance they cross the ocean of becoming. Sītā's going to Rāvaṇa's house had yet another underlying purpose.
Passage 503
त्रैलोक्यविजयी वीरः पुलस्त्यमुनिनन्दनः। रक्षोऽधिनाथः परभित् प्रविजित्य जगत्त्रयम्॥५०३॥
The heroic conqueror of the three worlds, the son of sage Pulastya, was lord of the rākṣasas and conqueror of foes. Having completely conquered the three worlds—
Passage 504
सर्वसम्पद्धरान् गेहे स्थापयामास सर्वतः। स्वर्गेऽपि यानि रत्नानि यानि रत्नानि भूतले॥५०४॥
—he installed every bearer of prosperity throughout his house. Whatever jewels existed in heaven and whatever jewels were upon the earth—
Passage 505
पाताले यानि रत्नानि तानि स्थापितवान् गृहे। आब्रह्मभुवनं याश्च सम्पदः श्रीविभूतयः॥५०५॥
—and whatever jewels were in Pātāla, he placed them in his home, together with every prosperity and glorious power extending as far as Brahmā's world.
Passage 506
ताः सर्वाः स्थापितास्तेन महावीरेण रक्षसा। आरामं जलदास्तस्य सिञ्चन्ति प्रतिवासरम्॥५०६॥
All of them had been installed there by that mighty rākṣasa. Clouds watered his pleasure garden every day.
Passage 507
सुवेलाद्रिगुहा रत्नैः पूरिता धनदेन च। मन्दं तपति सूर्योऽस्य हेमन्तशिशिरर्तुगः॥५०७॥
Kubera, the giver of wealth, had filled the caves of Mount Suvela with jewels. For Rāvaṇa the sun shone gently through the Hemanta and Śiśira seasons.
Passage 508
वसन्ते वाति सेवायै त्रिविधो मारुतः स्वयम्। चन्द्रो मुञ्चति गेहेऽस्य किरणान्नित्यपूर्णिमः॥५०८॥
In spring the threefold breeze blew of itself to serve him, and in his house the moon, forever full, released its rays.
Passage 509
हेमन्ते शिशिरे चास्य हस्तसंस्थोऽनलः स्वयम्। ग्रीष्मे चामुष्य सेवायै हिमवर्षी मरुत्स्वयम्॥५०९॥
In Hemanta and Śiśira, fire itself stood ready in his hand; in summer a snow-bearing wind arose of itself to serve him.
Passage 510
आरामे रोपितास्तेन नन्दनस्था महाद्रुमाः। गेहे षडृतवस्तस्य रूपवन्तः स्वयं स्थिताः॥५१०॥
He had planted in his garden the great trees of Nandana, and the six seasons themselves stood embodied within his home.
Passage 511
यथाज्ञापालनं नित्यं सेवन्ते राक्षसेश्वरम्। नेन्द्रस्य तादृशी भूतिर्नाग्नेश्च वरुणस्य च॥५११॥
Always obeying his commands, they served the lord of the rākṣasas. Neither Indra, Agni, nor Varuṇa possessed splendor like his.
Passage 512
कुबेरस्य निधीशस्य न च कस्यापि भूपतेः। सादृशी सम्पदेतस्य सम्राजो भुवनेशितुः॥५१२॥
Nor did Kubera, lord of treasures, or any earthly king possess wealth resembling that of this emperor, the sovereign of the worlds.
Passage 513
इति व्यवस्य मनसा जानकी रामवल्लभा। विहर्तुं स्वैरकामा सा लीलां कृतवती स्फुटम्॥५१३॥
Reflecting on this, Jānakī, Rāma's beloved, openly enacted this līlā out of her desire to sport freely.
Passage 514
रावणाहरणव्याजाल्लङ्कां गतवती स्वयम्। गार्हपत्ये तिरोभूय तत्रागात् सहजेश्वरी॥५१४॥
Using Rāvaṇa's abduction as a pretext, Sahajeśvarī herself went to Laṅkā, first disappearing within the Gārhapatya fire and then arriving there.
Passage 515
यत्र लक्ष्मीभराः सर्वे प्रादुर्भूतास्तथैव ते। जानकी रासलीलार्थं यत्र लक्ष्मीः स्वयं स्थिता॥५१५॥
There all the full powers of Lakṣmī manifested just as they truly were, and there Jānakī herself remained as Lakṣmī for the sake of the rāsa-līlā.
Passage 516
श्रीराजिन्युवाच— रामं विना कथं रासो भवेदस्यास्तथाविधः। एतद्वेदितुमिच्छामि कथं रामोऽत्र संगतः॥५१६॥
Śrī Rājinī said: “How could she have enjoyed such a rāsa without Rāma? I wish to know how Rāma joined her there.”
Passage 517
श्रीशिव उवाच— रावणस्य वने तत्र प्रादुर्भूता महेश्वरी। दिव्यरूपधरा साक्षात् कोटिलक्ष्मीकलानिधिः॥५१७॥
Śrī Śiva said: “There in Rāvaṇa's grove Maheśvarī manifested, bearing a divine form and directly embodying the collected powers of ten million Lakṣmīs.
Passage 518
दिने त्वशोकवृक्षस्य अधस्ताद्विरहातुरा। रात्री निजसखीवृन्दैः सा रेमे सहजेश्वरी॥५१८॥
“By day she remained beneath the Aśoka tree, distressed by separation; at night Sahajeśvarī delighted with the circles of her own companions.
Passage 519
लोभया च त्रिजटया सेव्यमाना प्रतिक्षणम्। इन्द्राण्या च तथा देव्या पीयूषफलहस्तया॥५१९॥
“At every moment she was served by Lobhā and Trijaṭā, and likewise by the goddess Indrāṇī, who held a nectar-bearing fruit.
Passage 520
उमया च महेशान्या तथा नद्यष्टकेन च। जनकस्य गृहे जाताः सख्यः कमललोचनाः॥५२०॥
“Umā Maheśānī and the group of eight rivers also served her, as did the lotus-eyed companions who had been born in Janaka's house.
Passage 521
कमलेशीप्रभृतयः सेवार्थं तत्र संगताः। दिव्यदेहाः स्वरूपेण तथा देव्यो रमामुखाः॥५२१॥
“Those headed by Kamaleśī gathered there to serve, along with divine-bodied goddesses headed by Ramā.
Passage 522
उपचारसमूहैस्तां सेवितुं सुसमाययुः। विभीषणस्य पत्न्या सा सेव्यमाना प्रतिक्षणम्॥५२२॥
“They came together fully prepared to serve her with every kind of offering, and Vibhīṣaṇa's wife attended upon her at every moment.
Passage 523
रतिप्रीत्यादिभिश्चैव दिव्यशक्तिकदम्बकैः। उपास्यमाना सा देवी चित्ते चिन्तामकल्पयत्। स्वयं लक्ष्मीं पुरस्कृत्य प्रोवाच वचनं सती॥५२३॥
“Worshiped by Rati, Prīti, and clusters of other divine powers, the goddess formed a thought within her mind. Placing Lakṣmī before her, the virtuous lady spoke.
Passage 524
श्रीसीतोवाच— अहो अत्यद्भुततमं वनमेतन्मनोरमम्। न रोचते मे सततं विरहातुरचेतसः॥५२४॥
Śrī Sītā said: “Ah, this forest is exceedingly wondrous and delightful, yet it gives no pleasure to my heart, which is continually tormented by separation.
Passage 525
गुञ्जन्ति मत्तभ्रमरा गायन्त इव मत्प्रभुम्। विध्यन्ति कामविशिखैर्विरहे मम मानसम्॥५२५॥
“The intoxicated bees hum as though singing of my Lord, and in separation they pierce my mind with Kāma's arrows.”
Passage 526
सुस्वरं पञ्चमालापैः कूजन्ति पिकवल्लभाः। अरुन्तुदा गिरस्तासां दारयन्ति मनो मम॥५२६॥
“The beloved cuckoos coo sweetly in phrases of the fifth note, but their heart-piercing voices tear at my mind.
Passage 527
एता रसालमञ्जर्यो मञ्जुला रजसाञ्चिताः। अग्निं विरहनामानं दीपयन्ति मदन्तरे॥५२७॥
“These lovely mango blossoms, laden with pollen, kindle within me the fire called separation.
Passage 528
अशोकमञ्जरी रम्याः पश्यन्ती ज्वलिता इव। दहामि हृदयेऽत्यर्थं तीक्ष्णेन विरहाग्निना॥५२८॥
“Beholding the beautiful Aśoka clusters as though they were aflame, I burn intensely within my heart from the sharp fire of separation.
Passage 529
किं नु कुर्यामहं तावत्स्वयं लक्ष्मीः पराङ्मुखी। सुवर्णकेतकीधूलिभरैर्व्योम्नान्धकारिते॥५२९॥
“What indeed can I do when Lakṣmī herself has turned away and the sky is darkened by masses of golden ketakī pollen?
Passage 530
पद्माकरसमुद्भूतपरागपटलो मरुत्। एषोऽन्धयति चक्षूंषि दृष्टिपातनिरोधकः॥५३०॥
“The wind carries a sheet of pollen arising from the lotus ponds; obstructing the fall of one's gaze, it blinds the eyes.
Passage 531
वासन्तीपुष्पमधुभिर्वासिताः सकला दिशः। मन्ये मदनभूपस्य भूयसा यशसाञ्चिताः॥५३१॥
“All the directions are perfumed with the nectar of spring flowers; I imagine them filled with the abundant fame of King Madana.
Passage 532
एषा वसन्तसम्पत्तिर्व्याप्नोति सकलं जगत्। न हि मे रोचतेऽत्यर्थं स्वयं लक्ष्मीः सुखप्रदा॥५३२॥
“This abundance of spring pervades the entire world, yet it gives me no pleasure at all—even Lakṣmī herself, the giver of happiness.”
Passage 533
स्वयं लक्ष्मीरुवाच— तव लीलाविनोदार्थमहमत्र स्वयं स्थिता। रावणस्य वने रम्ये प्रादुर्भूता स्वरूपतः॥५३३॥
Lakṣmī herself said: “I remain here personally for the delight of your līlā, manifested in my own form within Rāvaṇa's lovely grove.
Passage 534
यावती भुवने भूतिः सा मदंशस्वरूपिणी। साहमत्र स्वरूपेण प्रादुर्भूतास्मि जानकि॥५३४॥
“Whatever splendor exists in the world is formed from a portion of me; I, that very Lakṣmī, have manifested here in my own form, O Jānakī.
Passage 535
दिशां च पतयः सर्वे परितः सेवका इव। तव लीलासुखार्थाय भूतिरत्रेदृशी सखि॥५३५॥
“All the guardians of the directions stand around like servants. Friend, splendor such as this is present for the joy of your līlā.
Passage 536
अतिमात्रमियं रम्या शोभात्र सततं स्थिता। न खल्विन्द्रस्य लोकेऽपि दृश्येयं देवतैरपि॥५३६॥
“This surpassingly lovely beauty remains here continually; even in Indra's world it is not seen by the gods.
Passage 537
रोचितस्तेऽत्र विरहः स्वयमैश्वर्यभावितः। या नित्यं रमते भूयः प्रमोदवनवासिनी॥५३७॥
“You have chosen this appearance of separation here through your own sovereign power, though you eternally delight as the resident of Pramodavana.
Passage 538
आज्ञापय विनोदार्थमिच्छासिद्धिं वशेस्थिताम्। यथा रासरसोच्छासो भवेदत्र तथाविधः॥५३८॥
“For your delight, command Icchā-siddhi, who stands under your control, so that the same full exhilaration of rāsa may arise here.
Passage 539
यथा प्रमोदविपिने ससामग्रीक उत्तमः। सफलोऽयं भवेत्तेन मम लीलार्थमुद्यमः॥५३९॥
“Let it be perfect and furnished with every requisite just as in the forest of Pramodavana; through that, this effort of mine for your līlā will bear fruit.”
Passage 540
श्रीसीतोवाच— राघवेन्द्रो विजानाति सर्वं सखि विनोदवान्। सर्वैश्वर्यनिधिर्देवस्त्रयी गायति यत्परम्॥५४०॥
Śrī Sītā said: “Rāghavendra knows everything, friend, and is full of divine play. He is the divine treasury of all sovereignty, whom the three Vedas sing as supreme.
Passage 541
न हि मे विरहस्तेन क्वचित्कालत्रयेऽपि च। सर्वं जानामि कान्तस्य परमैश्वर्यमीदृशम्॥५४१॥
“I am never separated from him at any time in the three periods, and I fully know this supreme sovereignty of my beloved.”
Passage 542
स्वयं लक्ष्मीरुवाच— रामो हि ब्रह्म परमं सच्चिदानन्दविग्रहम्। अलौकिकं महत्तेजस्तस्य सूर्यादिषु स्थितम्॥५४२॥
Lakṣmī herself said: “Rāma is indeed supreme Brahman, the embodiment of being, consciousness, and bliss. His extraordinary, immense radiance abides within the sun and the other luminaries.
Passage 543
किं जानन्ति स्वरूपं ते ब्रह्मशेषशिवादयः। भक्तानामनुकम्पार्थं लीलारूपं समाश्रिता॥५४३॥
“What do Brahmā, Śeṣa, Śiva, and the others know of your true nature? Out of compassion for devotees, you have assumed the form of this līlā.
Passage 544
नित्यं रमयसे रामं परब्रह्म यथोदितम्। एतद्धि रामस्य रामत्वं रमणं यत्त्वया सह॥५४४॥
“You eternally delight Rāma, the Parabrahman just described. This indeed is Rāma's very Rāmahood: that he delights together with you.
Passage 545
त्वयानुकम्पिता भक्ताः श्रीरामेणानुकम्पिताः। इति ज्ञात्वा भजन्ते त्वां ब्रह्मशेषशिवादयः॥५४५॥
“Devotees who receive your compassion receive Śrī Rāma's compassion. Knowing this, Brahmā, Śeṣa, Śiva, and the others worship you.
Passage 546
अनेकधा च रमसे त्वं रामेण सहेश्वरि। श्रीभूलीलास्वरूपेण नित्यपर्यङ्कगामिनी॥५४६॥
“O Īśvarī, you delight with Rāma in many ways, taking the forms of Śrī, Bhū, and Līlā and eternally sharing his divine couch.
Passage 547
त्वं भूः सत्तास्वरूपेण निश्चलास्य परिक्रिया। युगे युगे त्वमाचार्यरूपेण प्रकटा स्वयम्॥५४७॥
“As the form of existence, you are Bhū, his unwavering attendant power. Age after age you personally manifest in the form of the teacher.
Passage 548
स्वस्वरूपं ज्ञापयितुं कुरुषे यत्नमुत्तमम्। नान्यथा त्वां प्रपद्येरन् भक्तास्ते सनकादयः॥५४८॥
“You make the highest effort to reveal your own true nature; otherwise devotees such as Sanaka would never take refuge in you.
Passage 549
आचार्यः प्रथमो ब्रह्मा द्वितीयाः सनकादयः। तृतीयः शेष एवासौ चतुर्थश्च शिवः स्वयम्॥५४९॥
“Brahmā is the first teacher, the Sanakas and others are the second, Śeṣa himself is the third, and Śiva is the fourth.
Passage 550
समस्ताचार्यवर्याणां त्वमाचार्योपदेशिका। या स्वयं श्रीस्वरूपेण सा प्रमोदवनेश्वरी॥५५०॥
“You are the teacher and instructor of all the foremost teachers; she who personally assumes the form of Śrī is the sovereign of Pramodavana.”
Passage 551
इति ते रूपमुदितं यथाविज्ञानवैभवम्। इच्छासिद्धिमथाज्ञाप्य कुरु लीलारसोदधिम्॥५५१॥
“Thus I have described your nature according to the extent of my realization. Now command Icchā-siddhi and create an ocean of līlā-rasa.
Passage 552
यस्मिन् परमहंसानां संचारः स्यात् सुखावहः। उत्तरतङ्गो हावभावैः सरस्वान् प्रेमपायसः॥५५२॥
“Let the movement of the paramahaṃsas within it bring happiness; let gestures and expressions form its rising waves, and let it abound in the waters of love.
Passage 553
सम्भोगविप्रलम्भाभ्यां कूलद्वयसुविस्तृतः। तीव्राभिलाषचिन्ताद्यैरुद्दीप्तमणिमौक्तिकः॥५५३॥
“Let union and separation form its two far-spreading shores, and let intense longing, anxious reflection, and the other states kindle its jewels and pearls.
Passage 554
गुरुलज्जावाडवाग्निर्मनोभूमकराश्चितः। क्षुद्रानन्दनदीपूरः सुगम्भीररसामृतः॥५५४॥
“Let bashfulness before elders be its submarine fire; let it teem with the crocodiles of Manobhū, swell with streams of lesser joys, and hold the profoundly deep nectar of rasa.
Passage 555
अन्यभावविषोदर्को महाभावमहोज्जितः। त्वत्कीर्तिचन्द्रिकापूर्णो भक्तौघराजहंसकः॥५५५॥
“Let alien feeling yield poison as its final fruit, while mahābhāva gives it magnificent splendor. Let it be filled with the moonlight of your fame, and let hosts of devotees be its royal swans.
Passage 556
उद्वेलो नित्यमेवासौ लोकवेदाद्यगोचरः। प्रोद्राति सहजानन्दे तव लीलारसोदधिः॥५५६॥
“Always overflowing and beyond the reach of worldly and Vedic convention, your ocean of līlā-rasa surges forth, O Sahajānandā.
Passage 557
यत्र शेते तु भवती श्रीरामरमणान्विता। पुष्पपर्यङ्कगता नित्यं ब्रह्मानन्दान्तरस्थिता॥५५७॥
“Within it you recline upon a flower couch, eternally established in the heart of Brahmānanda and joined in loving delight with Śrī Rāma.
Passage 558
सर्वलोकेशसाम्राज्यमहासौभाग्यभाजनम्। इत्थं तयोः समालापं कुर्वन्त्योः सुवयस्ययोः॥५५८॥
“It is the vessel of the great good fortune belonging to the sovereignty of all the lords of the worlds.” While the two intimate friends conversed in this way—
Passage 559
माल्यवत्यचले रामो लक्ष्मणं प्रत्युवाच ह। गच्छ लक्ष्मण किष्किन्धां सुग्रीवं राज्यसंगतम्॥५५९॥
—Rāma, upon Mount Mālyavat, addressed Lakṣmaṇa: “Go, Lakṣmaṇa, to Kiṣkindhā, where Sugrīva is established in his kingdom.
Passage 560
भुञ्जानं च महाभोगान् मद्वाञ्छाविस्मृतान्तरम्। तं च मद्वचसा ब्रूयाः स यथात्रागतो भवेत्॥५६०॥
“Enjoying great pleasures, he has forgotten my desire within his heart. Address him with my words so that he will come here.
Passage 561
सुग्रीव रामवीर्येण प्राप्तराज्यमकण्टकम्। त्वं नित्यं तत्प्रभुञ्जानो नास्मान् विस्मर्तुमर्हसि॥५६१॥
“Sugrīva, through Rāma's valor you obtained an uncontested kingdom. While continually enjoying it, you ought not to forget us.
Passage 562
त्वं राज्यभोगं कुरुषे वने सीदामहे वयम्। शीघ्रमागम्यतां वीर मम कार्यं प्रवर्त्यताम्॥५६२॥
“You enjoy the pleasures of kingship while we suffer in the forest. Come quickly, hero, and set my work in motion.”
Passage 563
इति स्नेहान्वितैर्वाक्यैस्तमिहानय लक्ष्मण। इति सम्प्रेष्य किष्किन्धां राजधानीं कपिशितुः। लक्ष्मणं रघुशार्दूलो योगचर्यामुपाश्रितः॥५६३॥
“With these affectionate words, Lakṣmaṇa, bring him here.” Having thus dispatched Lakṣmaṇa to Kiṣkindhā, capital of the monkey lord, the tiger of Raghu's line entered the discipline of yoga.
Passage 564
जटाधरो वल्कलचीरवासा मृगाजिनस्थः कुशविष्टरस्थः। एकान्ततो माल्यवतो गुहायां समाधिमासाद्य सुनिर्वृतोऽभूत्॥५६४॥
Wearing matted locks and garments of bark and cloth, seated upon antelope skin spread over kuśa grass, he entered samādhi in a secluded cave of Mālyavat and became perfectly absorbed.
Passage 565
ततः स सर्वभूतात्मा सर्वयोगेश्वरेश्वरः। चिदानन्दघनाकारः सीताया दर्शनं ययौ॥५६५॥
Then he, the Self of all beings, the Lord of all lords of yoga, and the concentrated embodiment of consciousness and bliss, went to behold Sītā.
Passage 566
एकेन वपुषा तत्र गिरौ माल्यवति स्थितः। परेणैव स्वरूपेण लीलाविग्रहरूपिणा॥५६६॥
With one body he remained there upon Mount Mālyavat; with another essential form, embodied as the form of līlā—
Passage 567
भक्तानामनुकम्पार्थं दिव्योपवनमन्वगात्। भक्तास्तास्तत्र लङ्कायां निरुद्धा रावणेन याः॥५६७॥
—he entered the divine grove out of compassion for the devotees whom Rāvaṇa had confined there in Laṅkā.
Passage 568
तासामुद्धरणार्थाय सद्यः प्रादुरभूद्विभुः। देवानां कन्यका याश्च याश्चैवाप्सरसोऽद्रवाः॥५६८॥
For their deliverance the all-pervading Lord manifested at once. Among them were daughters of the gods and apsarases who had not escaped;
Passage 569
पितॄणां मानसोद्भूता ब्रह्मणो मानसोद्भवाः। देवानां कन्यका याश्च लक्ष्म्या सह विनिःसृताः॥५६९॥
mind-born daughters of the Pitṛs and mind-born daughters of Brahmā; and daughters of the gods who had emerged together with Lakṣmī;
Passage 570
दिव्यगन्धर्वकन्याश्च नानादेशनृपात्मजाः। सरितश्चाद्भुताकाराः विरजाद्याः सुमङ्गलाः॥५७०॥
divine daughters of gandharvas and princesses from many lands; and exceedingly auspicious rivers embodied in wondrous forms, headed by Virajā;
Passage 571
नानानरसुताश्चैव नानाद्वीपेश्वरात्मजाः। पर्वतानां चैव कन्या दिव्यरूपधराः स्त्रियः॥५७१॥
daughters of many different men and of the rulers of many islands; and daughters of mountains, women bearing divine forms;
Passage 572
रक्षसां कन्यकाश्चैव कामरूपधराः स्त्रियः। महेन्द्रलोकगाः कन्या अद्याप्युद्वाहवर्जिताः॥५७२॥
daughters of rākṣasas, women able to assume forms at will; and maidens from Mahendra's realm who still remained unmarried;
Passage 573
अग्निलोकस्थिताः याश्च श्रीमद्वैश्वानरात्मजाः। यमस्य वरुणस्यापि लोकगा नित्यकन्यकाः॥५७३॥
the glorious daughters of Vaiśvānara dwelling in Agni's realm; and eternal maidens from the realms of Yama and Varuṇa;
Passage 574
वायुलोकस्थिताः कन्याः कुबेरस्य च लोकगाः। कैलासगिरिवासिन्यो या दिव्याः कन्यकावराः॥५७४॥
maidens dwelling in Vāyu's realm and in Kubera's realm; and the excellent divine maidens who lived upon Mount Kailāsa;
Passage 575
अन्याश्च दिव्या मानुष्यो गन्धर्ववरकन्यकाः। अकृतोद्वाहसम्बन्धा बलादाकृष्य रक्षिताः॥५७५॥
and other divine, human, and excellent gandharva maidens who had never entered a marriage bond and whom Rāvaṇa had dragged away and held by force.
Passage 576
नागानां कन्यकाश्चैव रूपसारविभूषिताः। पद्मिन्यश्चित्रिणीश्रेष्ठा हस्तिन्यः शङ्खिनीवराः॥५७६॥
There were also daughters of the nāgas, adorned with the very essence of beauty: excellent Padminī and Citrinī women, Hāstinīs, and the finest Śaṅkhinīs.
Passage 577
नानाजातिस्त्रीवरेण्याश्चन्द्रवक्त्रा मृगेक्षणाः। जातरूपसमानाङ्ग्यः पद्मपत्रातिकोमलाः॥५७७॥
These foremost women of many peoples had moonlike faces and doe eyes, limbs resembling refined gold, and bodies softer than lotus petals.
Passage 578
तडिल्लेखासमानाङ्ग्यः शिरीषदलकोमलाः। सर्वावयवशोभाढ्या महासौभाग्यभूषिताः॥५७८॥
Their forms resembled flashes of lightning and were tender as śirīṣa petals; every limb abounded in beauty, and they were adorned with the highest good fortune.
Passage 579
कमनीयप्रभास्तन्व्यो यौवनोद्भेदमञ्जुलाः। जातरूपघटीस्तन्यः सर्वालङ्कारभूषिताः॥५७९॥
Slender and lovely in radiance, they were charming in the first bloom of youth, with breasts like vessels of gold and adorned with every ornament.
Passage 580
रूपलावण्यरुचिराः कन्दर्पबलवर्द्धिनीः। रावणेन हृतास्तास्तु त्रैलोक्यजययात्रया॥५८०॥
Beautiful in form and grace, they increased the power of Kandarpa. Rāvaṇa had carried them away during his campaign to conquer the three worlds.
Passage 581
दिग्जैत्रयात्रासमये तासां पितृभिरर्पिताः। कन्याभावेनैव युता अदृष्टपुरुषाननाः॥५८१॥
During his victorious expedition through the directions, their fathers had presented them to him; yet they remained in maidenhood, never having looked upon a man's face.
Passage 582
तासां मनो रामचन्द्रे सुचिरेण व्यवस्थितम्। मनसैव तपस्यन्त्यो रामचन्द्रहृताशयाः॥५८२॥
For a very long time their minds had been fixed upon Rāmacandra. Performing austerity inwardly, they had given their hearts entirely to him.
Passage 583
अनेकजन्मसंसिद्धा रागिण्यो वामलोचनाः। कर्मज्ञानोपासनाभिराजन्मशुभसंयुताः॥५८३॥
Perfected across many births, those loving, lovely-eyed women had been endowed from birth with auspiciousness through action, knowledge, and worship.
Passage 584
शुद्धान्तःकरणाः सर्वा भक्त्यङ्कुरसमन्विताः। सीतादर्शनमात्रेण जातप्रारब्धसंक्षयाः॥५८४॥
All possessed pure inner faculties and the sprouting seed of devotion; by the mere sight of Sītā, their operative karma came to exhaustion.
Passage 585
उत्तमप्रेमकलिताः श्रीरामस्नेहविह्वलाः। रामस्य विरहेणैव चिरोत्कण्ठासमन्विताः॥५८५॥
Filled with the highest love and overwhelmed by affection for Śrī Rāma, they had long borne intense yearning in separation from him.
Passage 586
सीतास्वरूपलावण्यध्वस्तरूपाभिमानिकाः। रामलीलागुणं श्रुत्वा चिराय दर्शनोत्सुकाः॥५८६॥
The beauty of Sītā's true form destroyed their pride in their own beauty. Having heard of Rāma's līlā and qualities, they had long been eager to see him.
Passage 587
तासां मण्डलमध्यस्था जानकी रामवल्लभा। तारकामण्डलगता पौर्णमासीव शारदा॥५८७॥
Jānakī, Rāma's beloved, stood at the center of their circle like the autumn full moon amid a host of stars.
Passage 588
अभिवीक्ष्य प्रियं राममभिरामगुणाकरम्। उत्तस्थौ स्वासनात्तूर्णं प्राणप्राप्तिसमुत्सुका॥५८८॥
Seeing her beloved Rāma, the mine of captivating virtues, she rose swiftly from her seat, eager as though recovering her very life.
Passage 589
तामुत्थितामनूतस्थुः सर्वास्ता वामलोचनाः। तासां दृग्गोचरो रामः सद्य एव व्यजायत॥५८९॥
When she rose, all those lovely-eyed women rose after her. Rāma immediately manifested within their field of vision.
Passage 590
सरत्नकिङ्किणीकमञ्जुनूपुरद्वयीपदः- सुवर्णघण्टिकावलीसनादपादगुल्फभृत्। नटोचिताच्छमध्यकच्छचित्रवर्णचारुता- चमत्कृताभकच्छिकासुदर्शनीयवेषभाक्॥५९०॥
His feet bore a lovely pair of jeweled, tinkling anklets, and rows of golden bells resounded around his feet and ankles. His clean waistcloth and colorful dancer's sash were charming; the gleaming hip-cloth inspired wonder, and his costume was beautiful to behold. Source note: The printed edition marks this verse as an archaic usage and prints it in four long pādas.
Passage 591
उदारहारभासुरप्रसर्पिवक्षसाञ्चितः- सुरूपगुञ्जहारभृत्कपोलदर्पणद्युतिः। विराजमाननासिकाविभूषणप्रभाधरः- कलाकलापपेशलः सुराङ्गनाविमोहनः॥५९१॥
His broad chest shone beneath a splendid, flowing necklace; he wore a beautiful guñjā garland, and his cheeks gleamed like mirrors. A radiant nose ornament adorned him; accomplished in the full array of arts, he enchanted even the celestial women.
Passage 592
स्फुरन्मयूरपिच्छकावतंसमध्यविस्फुर- त्सहस्रचन्द्रिकावलीसुसक्तरत्नमण्डलः। विशालभालविस्फुरत्कुरङ्गनाभिपत्रिका- विचित्रवक्त्रचन्द्रमाः सुमन्दहाससुन्दरः॥५९२॥
Within his flashing peacock-feather ornament shone a jeweled disc set amid a thousand streams of moonlight. A musk-leaf mark gleamed upon his broad forehead; his wondrous moonlike face was beautiful with a very gentle smile.
Passage 593
पदस्फुरन्नखप्रभाजितार्कचन्द्रकोटिकः- कुतूहलात्तकामकेलिचातुरीकलाञ्चितः। विकासिरासमण्डलीविलासलासभासितः- प्रमोदकुञ्जकौतुकी महाद्भुतो नटो यथा॥५९३॥
The radiance of his flashing toenails conquered ten million suns and moons. He was adorned with the arts and dexterity of amorous play, shining through the graceful dance of the unfolding rāsa circle; eager for the bowers of Pramoda, he appeared like a supremely wondrous dancer.
Passage 594
प्रमोदवनसामग्री सर्वा तत्र व्यदृश्यत। रामस्योपवने रम्ये परार्धललनाञ्चिते॥५९४॥
Every requisite of Pramodavana appeared there in Rāma's lovely grove, which was adorned with an immeasurable multitude of women.
Passage 595
ता एव सख्यश्चतुरास्ता एव च शक्तयः। ता एव वल्लीप्रवरास्ता एवाखिलसम्पदः॥५९५॥
They themselves became the skillful companions and the divine powers; they became the finest flowering vines and every form of abundance.
Passage 596
ता एव संगीतकलासुशिक्षिता मृदङ्गवीणामुरजादिपाणयः। मञ्जीरतालधरा वरस्त्रियः प्रादुर्भवन्त्यो गणशश्चकाशिरे॥५९६॥
Those excellent women themselves appeared in groups, trained in the art of music, bearing mṛdaṅgas, vīṇās, murajas, and other instruments, and keeping rhythm with ankle bells and cymbals.
Passage 597
कलाविदुष्यः शशिमण्डलाननाः संगीतभङ्गीप्रथनापटीयसीः। नियोजयामास सखीः समन्ततः स्वे स्वे विधाने सहजेश्वरी स्वयम्॥५९७॥
Sahajeśvarī herself assigned the moon-faced companions—learned in the arts and highly skilled in displaying musical expression—on every side, each to her own function.
Passage 598
आसीन्मण्डलमध्यस्थं सहजारामयोर्युगम्। परितो मण्डलान्यासुस्तयोस्तत्र यथोचितम्॥५९८॥
The divine pair Sahajā and Rāma stood at the center of the circle, while the other circles were arranged suitably around them.
Passage 599
यथोचितं यथामानं यथास्थानं यथागुणम्। यथाधिकारं विन्यस्ता मण्डलेषु सखीगणाः॥५९९॥
The groups of companions were placed within the circles according to propriety, measure, position, quality, and authority.
Passage 600
शरच्चान्द्रीमयः कालस्तदानीं समजायत। रत्नाङ्गणमयो देशः प्रभामय्योऽखिला दिशः॥६००॥
At that moment the time became filled with autumn moonlight, the place became a courtyard of jewels, and every direction became radiant.
Passage 601
स्वरा मूर्तिधरास्तत्र प्रादुरासुः सजातयः। रागास्तथैव रागिण्यो रामरासरसोत्सुकाः॥६०१॥
Embodied musical notes appeared there in their proper classes; rāgas and rāginīs alike were eager for the rasa of Rāma's rāsa.
Passage 602
शुशुभे तच्च विपिनं रत्नाङ्गणसमुज्ज्वलम्। त्रिविधानितलीलाभिः सेवितं सुषुमाश्चितम्॥६०२॥
That grove shone, radiant as a jeweled courtyard, attended by its threefold ordered līlās and endowed with beauty.
Passage 603
अथोजगो मुरलिकां रामो रमणपण्डितः। मोहयन् सकला रामाः स्वयं कुन्दवने यथा॥६०३॥
Then Rāma, master of the art of love, sounded the flute, enchanting all the women just as he himself does in Kunda-vana. Source note: The edition prints the irregular form अथोजगो; the English follows the flute-playing action established by the verse.
Passage 604
मुरलीनादमाकर्ण्य प्रमोदवनगोपिकाः। सर्वास्तत्र समाजग्मुर्लीलाविस्तारणोचिताः॥६०४॥
Hearing the flute's sound, all the gopīs of Pramodavana assembled there, fit to unfold the divine play.
Passage 605
एवं समाजः सुमहानासीत् तत्र मृगीदृशाम्। रामरासरसक्रीडासमुत्कण्ठितचेतसाम्॥६०५॥
Thus a very great gathering of doe-eyed women arose there, their hearts intensely eager for the sportive rasa of Rāma's rāsa.
Passage 606
नित्या नैमित्तिकाश्चैव ललनास्तत्र सङ्गताः। अन्योन्यप्रेमसम्पन्ना रामप्रेमवशीकृताः॥६०६॥
Both the eternal and the occasional companions gathered there, filled with mutual love and brought under the sway of love for Rāma.
Passage 607
अथ श्रीसहजानन्दा मन्दमन्दोपसर्प्य च। ईषन्मानमनोज्ञाक्षी सावगुण्ठपटानना। यावत् किञ्चिन्न च ब्रूते तावदाह स्वयं प्रभुः॥६०७॥
Then Śrī Sahajānandā approached very slowly, her lovely eyes showing a trace of loving reserve and her face covered by a veil. Before she had spoken even a little, the Lord himself addressed her.
Passage 608
श्रीराम उवाच— प्राणप्रिये किं वक्तव्यं सर्वं वेत्सि हृदि स्थिता। तथापि खलु मे प्रेम्णा वक्तुमत्युत्सुकं मनः॥६०८॥
Śrī Rāma said: “Beloved of my life, what is there to say? Dwelling in my heart, you know everything. Even so, out of love my mind is exceedingly eager to speak.
Passage 609
आश्चर्या तव लीलासौ यत्प्रमोदवनान्तरे। जनकस्य गृहे भूत्वा प्राप्ता मां त्वं निजेच्छया॥६०९॥
“Wondrous is this līlā of yours: though abiding within Pramodavana, you took birth in Janaka's house and obtained me by your own will.
Passage 610
राज्याभिषेकं मे कर्तुं किं जातं नृपतेर्मनः। तत्रापि कैकयीमातुः कथं सा धीरवर्ततः॥६१०॥
“How did the king's resolve arise to perform my coronation? And then how did that firm course arise from Mother Kaikeyī?
Passage 611
कथं च तादृशी वाणी वक्त्रे तस्या ह्यवर्तत। कथं भरतमायान्तं संलक्ष्याहमुदासधीः॥६११॥
“How did such speech come to be in her mouth? And how, seeing Bharata approach, did I remain detached in mind?
Passage 612
चित्रकूटं परित्यज्य लक्ष्मणं चागतो वने। भवती च कथं लुब्धा दृष्ट्वा मायामयं मृगम्॥६१२॥
“How did I leave Citrakūṭa and come into the forest with Lakṣmaṇa? And how were you enticed when you saw the illusory deer?
Passage 613
कथं चाहं गतस्तस्य पृष्ठलग्नो घनं वनम्। कथं च भवती वीरं लक्ष्मणं प्राणसम्मितम्॥६१३॥
“How did I follow closely behind it into the dense forest? And how did you treat the heroic Lakṣmaṇa, who was as dear as life—
Passage 614
दुर्वचोविशिखैर्विद्ध्वा देवरं निरवासयत्। कथं वा तत्क्षणादेव रक्षो दग्धवती न च॥६१४॥
“—piercing your brother-in-law with the arrows of harsh words and sending him away? And how did you not burn the demon at that very moment?
Passage 615
कथं वा लाक्ष्मणीं दिव्यां धनुर्लेखामलङ्घथाः। कथं च लक्ष्मणः स्निग्धस्त्वद्दुर्वाचममन्यत॥६१५॥
“How did you cross the divine bow-line drawn by Lakṣmaṇa? And how did the affectionate Lakṣmaṇa accept your harsh speech?
Passage 616
जटायुनापि वीरेण तादृशेन न मोचिता। एतद्देवकृतं मन्ये दैवं च प्रबलं कथम्। एतन्मे महदाश्चर्यं मनो बाधयतेतराम्॥६१६॥
“Nor were you freed even by so heroic a warrior as Jaṭāyu. I take this to be the gods' doing—but how can destiny be so powerful? This great wonder troubles my mind exceedingly.”
Passage 617
इति पत्युर्निशम्यासौ साकूतं मधुरं वचः। उवाच स्मितरुच्या सा द्योतमाना रदत्विषा॥६१७॥
Hearing this sweet, suggestive speech from her husband, she replied, radiant with the luster of her teeth and the beauty of her smile.
Passage 618
श्रीसीतोवाच— दैवं नामामहेवास्मि कालश्चाहं दुरत्ययः। लीला चाहं भक्तगेया तत्साधनमहं पुनः॥६१८॥
Śrī Sītā said: “I indeed am what is called destiny, and I am Time, impossible to overcome. I am the līlā sung by devotees, and I am also the means of attaining it.
Passage 619
भूत्वोभयस्वरूपाहं रमामि भवता सह। रक्षश्चातिबलं तद्धि न हन्तुं शक्यमन्यथा॥६१९॥
“Having assumed both forms, I delight with you. That demon was exceedingly powerful and could not otherwise be slain.
Passage 620
यस्य श्रौतं बलं दिव्यं तथा कर्मबलं बहु। शिवस्योपासको वीरस्त्रैलोक्यविजयी बलात्॥६२०॥
“He possessed divine strength born of Vedic rites and great power from his acts. A heroic worshiper of Śiva, he had conquered the three worlds by force.
Passage 621
यस्य बाहुबलं भूयो भवतः पार्षदो वरः। लीलावेशस्तथैवायं किं न स्मरसि वल्लभ॥६२१॥
“He whose strength of arm was so great had formerly been your eminent attendant. This too is an embodiment within the līlā—do you not remember, beloved?
Passage 622
पौलस्त्यतनयो विप्रो ब्रह्मण्यस्तवावधः। गृहे गृहेऽग्निहोत्राणि शिवपूजा गृहे गृहे॥६२२॥
“Pulastya's son was a learned Brahmin devoted to sacred observance, one not ordinarily to be slain by you. In house after house there were fire offerings, and in house after house the worship of Śiva.
Passage 623
प्रतापितं जगद्येन तपोवीर्येण भूयसा। मायायां मथुरायां च काश्यां चोज्जयिनीपुरे॥६२३॥
“By the immense potency of his austerity the world was afflicted—at Māyā, at Mathurā, at Kāśī, and in the city of Ujjayinī.
Passage 624
अस्थिचर्मावशिष्टोऽसौ चकार विपुलं तपः। अगस्त्योऽस्य विदां वर्यो मुनिरस्ति गृहोपरि॥६२४॥
“Reduced to bone and skin alone, he performed immense austerity. Agastya, the foremost of learned sages, stands above his house.
Passage 625
दक्षिणे ध्रुव इत्युक्तो ज्योतिर्विद्भिः पुरातनैः। स कथं शक्यते हन्तुं विनेहशमिति क्रमम्॥६२५॥
“Ancient astronomers call him the southern Dhruva. How could Rāvaṇa be slain outside this divinely ordered sequence?” Source note: The edition prints the compact and grammatically difficult reading विनेहशमिति क्रमम्; the English follows the surrounding argument without silently replacing the source text.
Passage 626
कथं पुनरिमाः कन्यास्त्वदेकहृदयाः स्त्रियः। उद्धृताः स्युश्च धर्मज्ञ दुस्तराद्भवसागरात्॥६२६॥
“How else, O knower of dharma, can these maidens—women whose hearts belong to you alone—be lifted out of the ocean of becoming, so difficult to cross?
Passage 627
इति विज्ञाय वीरेन्द्र न विकल्पितुमर्हसि। रमस्व रसयुक्ताभिः कन्याभिरिह कामिवत्॥६२७॥
“Knowing this, heroic lord, you should not hesitate. Delight here like a lover with these maidens who are filled with rasa.
Passage 628
ईदृशीं सम्पदं कान्त सफलीकर्तुमर्हसि। एकत्रैव जगल्लक्ष्मीर्दृश्यतामिह वल्लभ॥६२८॥
“Beloved, you should bring such abundance to fruition. Let the splendor of the whole world be seen gathered here in one place.
Passage 629
इदं विपिनमालूनं कपीन्द्रेण महौजसा। पुनः पल्लवितं पश्य वसन्तसमयश्रिया॥६२९॥
“This grove was shorn by the mighty lord of the monkeys; behold it leafing forth again in the beauty of springtime.
Passage 630
भवित्री राजधानीयं विभीषणमहामतेः। वैष्णवप्रवरस्यास्य सततं हितवर्तिनः॥६३०॥
“It is to become the capital of the wise Vibhīṣaṇa, this foremost Vaiṣṇava who always acts for the good.
Passage 631
सुवेलाद्रिगुहा रम्या निकुञ्जवरशोभिता। इमाश्च किङ्करीस्तत्र नित्यं रमय सुव्रत॥६३१॥
“The lovely caves of Mount Suvela are adorned with excellent bowers. O keeper of the noble vow, delight these handmaids there eternally.
Passage 632
यथा भवांश्च रत्नाद्रौ प्रमोदविपिनेऽन्तरा। तथेह रन्तुमर्होऽसि लीलानटवरः प्रभो॥६३२॥
“Just as you delight within the Pramodavana grove upon Mount Ratna, so you should delight here as well, O Lord, supreme actor in the divine play.”
Passage 633
इत्युक्तः प्रियया रामो प्रोवाच विशदस्मितः॥६३३॥
Thus addressed by his beloved, Rāma replied with a radiant smile.
Passage 634
श्रीराम उवाच— अहं त्वदेकपत्नीको कथमेताः समुद्वहे। मोचनं चान्यथैवासां करिष्याम्येव जानकि॥६३४॥
Śrī Rāma said: “I am the husband of you alone; how could I marry all these women? Jānakī, I shall certainly free them by another means.”
Passage 635
श्रीजानक्युवाच— यस्य जीवस्य यो भावस्तेन गम्योऽसि राघव। भावसंछेदनं न स्याद्व्रतस्य छेदनं भवेत्॥६३५॥
Śrī Jānakī said: “Whatever disposition a living being bears is the very means by which you are reached, Rāghava. That disposition must not be severed, for doing so would break the vow.
Passage 636
अपि चेमा देवकन्या मयाऽऽविर्भाविताः स्वतः। सिन्धोर्विनिःसृताः काश्चिन्मया सह वरस्त्रियः॥६३६॥
“Moreover, these divine maidens were manifested by me myself. Some of these excellent women emerged from the ocean together with me.
Passage 637
अन्याश्च विपुलश्रोण्यश्चिरं त्वयि धृताशयाः। एतासां रमणं कार्यं महत्कौतूहलं कुरु॥६३७॥
“Other broad-hipped women have long fixed their hearts upon you. You must delight them; create a great festival of wonder.
Passage 638
हर त्रिभुवनस्त्रीणां मानं सौन्दर्यजं मदम्। ब्रह्मणो मोहनं कार्यं महतीं रजनीं सृज॥६३८॥
“Take away the pride and conceit born of beauty from the women of the three worlds. Create a bewilderment even for Brahmā; bring forth a vast night.
Passage 639
उमाद्याश्च महालीलां वीक्ष्य चित्ते विलक्षिताः। भविष्यन्ति गलद्दर्पास्त्वदेकचरणाश्रिताः॥६३९॥
“Umā and the others, astonished at heart when they behold this great līlā, will lose their pride and take refuge solely at your feet.”
Passage 640
श्रीशिव उवाच— इत्युत्साहितचित्तोऽसौ प्रियया प्राणतुल्यया। रामो लीलारसं कर्तुमारेभे रसिकाग्रणीः॥६४०॥
Śrī Śiva said: Thus encouraged by his beloved, who was equal to his very life, Rāma—the foremost connoisseur of rasa—began to enact the rasa of the divine play.
Passage 641
सद्यो विगतमर्यादो रसराजो व्यवर्तत। स लीलाकौतुकाविष्टो वामदक्षिणपार्श्वयोः॥६४१॥
At once the king of rasa moved beyond conventional bounds. Absorbed in the wonder of the līlā, he turned to his left and right sides.
Passage 642
कृत्वा वृन्दं वरस्त्रीणां निनाय गहनं वनम्। तत्र प्रमोदविपिनं सर्वासां समदर्शयत्॥६४२॥
Forming the excellent women into groups, he led them into the deep forest and showed all of them the Pramodavana grove there.
Passage 643
सरय्वाः पुलिनं रम्यं निकुञ्जवरसेवितम्। विविक्तं कोकिलालापगुञ्जद्भ्रमरनादितम्॥६४३॥
It was a lovely bank of the Sarayū, furnished with excellent bowers, secluded, resounding with the calls of cuckoos and the humming of bees.
Passage 644
एकान्तलीलोपयिकं रसकेलीनिकेतनम्। अनेकदिव्यसदनं रसराजप्रबोधनम्॥६४४॥
It was suited to intimate divine play, an abode of sportive rasa, filled with many celestial dwellings and awakening the king of rasa.
Passage 645
महासमरसानन्दं स्त्रीणामतिमनोरमम्। उत्फुल्लपद्मकह्लारसरसीशतसेवितम्॥६४५॥
It held the bliss of the great, perfectly unified rasa and was exceedingly captivating to the women, attended by hundreds of pools filled with open lotuses and white water lilies.
Passage 646
हेमवल्लीवनागारं रत्नपुष्पवरद्रुमम्। मृदुस्वर्णमणिस्वच्छवालुकामयमङ्गणम्॥६४६॥
It contained woodland houses of golden vines and excellent trees bearing jeweled flowers; its courtyard was made of soft, pure sand that shone like gold and gems.
Passage 647
तत्र ताः स्वोत्तरीयाणि विस्तार्य विहितासनाः। परिवव्रुः समन्तात्तं रसिकेन्द्रशिरोमणिम्॥६४७॥
There they spread out their upper garments to make seats and surrounded on every side that crown jewel among lords of rasa.
Passage 648
स्वस्वयूथेषु मुख्याभिः सुवर्णमणिमालिकाः। कान्तस्य वरणार्थाय रोपिताः कण्ठदेशतः॥६४८॥
The leading women of their respective groups placed golden, jeweled garlands around the beloved's neck in order to choose him as their husband.
Passage 649
स ताभिः स्वर्णमालाभिर्वृतः कान्तो व्यराजत। महामुकुटशोभाढ्यो नवपाणिग्रहोचितः॥६४९॥
Surrounded by those golden garlands, the beloved shone splendidly, radiant beneath a great crown and fitted for the new wedding rites.
Passage 650
तस्मिन्नुद्वाहसंदोहकौतूहलमहोत्सवे। रामपार्श्वे उभे सख्याववर्तेतां मुदान्विते॥६५०॥
At that great and wondrous festival of many marriages, two delighted companions stood at Rāma's sides.
Passage 651
आसीत्पिकीकलालापो मङ्गलस्वरगानकृत्। झाङ्कारगानमिलितो भ्रमरीणां समन्ततः॥६५१॥
The calls of the female cuckoos produced auspicious melody, joined on every side by the humming song of the female bees.
Passage 652
कोकीरवश्च केकाभिर्भेरीझाङ्कारसुन्दरः। तरङ्गिण्याश्च कल्लोलाः सिन्धुगम्भीरनादिनः॥६५२॥
The cuckoos' calls, mingled with peacock cries, were beautiful with the resonance of kettledrums, while the river's waves sounded with the depth of the ocean.
Passage 653
मृदङ्गमङ्गलरवो व्यजृम्भत नभःस्पृशः। तूर्यत्रिकं ननादाथ कालशक्त्याभिनादितम्॥६५३॥
The auspicious sound of mṛdaṅgas swelled until it touched the sky. Then the triad of ceremonial instruments resounded, made to reverberate by the power of Time.
Passage 654
स्वर्णतालीवनध्वान आसीन्मास्त लीलया। इत्येवं सम्पदाविष्टमभूदुद्वाहकौतुकम्॥६५४॥
Through the līlā arose the sound of the grove of golden palms. Thus the wondrous wedding celebration became suffused with every splendor. Source note: The edition prints the difficult sequence आसीन्मास्त लीलया; the English follows the audible golden-palm-grove setting and does not silently replace the printed root.
Passage 655
सम्पन्नोद्वाहविधयः सर्वास्ता हरिणीदृशः। नवीनमन्मथाक्रीडाजितं वल्लभमब्रुवन्॥६५५॥
When all the wedding rites were complete, those doe-eyed women addressed their beloved, whose play surpassed even that of the youthful god of love.
Passage 656
स्त्रिय ऊचुः— अद्य नः सफलं जन्म भवतैव कृतं प्रभो। अद्राक्ष्म जीवलोकस्य सुखमद्य रमापते॥६५६॥
The women said: “Lord, today you have made our birth fruitful. O husband of Ramā, today we have beheld the happiness of the world of living beings.
Passage 657
रूपसारं च नो दत्तं त्वदाज्ञातो विरञ्चिना। अद्यैव सफलं जातं भवत्सङ्गमशोभया॥६५७॥
“At your command, Brahmā gave us the very essence of beauty; today alone it has become fruitful through the splendor of union with you.
Passage 658
सौभाग्यं विपुलं दत्तं भर्ता त्वं च त्वया विभो। एतद्धि दुर्लभतरमुमादीनां महत्फलम्॥६५८॥
“You have given us abundant good fortune, O Lord, and you yourself are our husband. This great fruit is exceedingly difficult even for Umā and the other goddesses to attain.
Passage 659
अपीदृशं नित्यमेव भूयाद्रमणजं सुखम्। प्रमोदवनसम्पत्तिर्दृष्टा वल्लभ तादृशी॥६५९॥
“May such happiness born of union with our beloved remain forever. Beloved, we have seen the full splendor of Pramodavana just as it truly is.
Passage 660
वैकुण्ठभवनेऽप्येषा प्रायो नैव भविष्यति। धन्या वयं रमाकान्त मुदितास्तव सङ्गमात्॥६६०॥
“Such splendor would scarcely exist even in the abode of Vaikuṇṭha. O beloved of Ramā, blessed are we, made joyful by union with you.
Passage 661
जानीमहे परप्राण भवान्नारायणादपि। लीलारसविधानेन वरेण्यः पुरुषोत्तमः॥६६१॥
“O life of the Supreme, we know that in your ordering of līlā-rasa you are a Puruṣottama more excellent even than Nārāyaṇa.
Passage 662
रूपं तव सदा पेयं जीवं जीवैरिवेक्षणैः। अहोऽतिकेलिचातुर्यं मन्मथस्यापि मोहनम्॥६६२॥
“Your form is always to be drunk by the eyes, as life itself is cherished by living beings. Ah, your surpassing skill in play enchants even Manmatha.
Passage 663
तृप्ता अपि मुहुर्नाथ वयं नित्यमतृप्तयः। चिरेण विरहाक्रान्ता भृशमानन्दिताः प्रभो॥६६३॥
“Though satisfied again and again, Lord, we remain forever unsatisfied. Long overwhelmed by separation, we are now profoundly delighted, O master.
Passage 664
दग्धा इव लता भूयो वयं पल्लवितास्त्वया। निर्वापितोऽङ्गतापश्च स्मरजश्चित्तमूर्च्छनः॥६६४॥
“Like scorched vines, we have put forth leaves again through you. The burning of our limbs and the mind's swoon born of desire have both been extinguished.
Passage 665
वैदग्ध्यं भवतोऽत्यर्थं वशीकृत्य च नः स्थितम्। एषा तवाधरसुधा नित्यं पेया वधूजनैः॥६६५॥
“Your consummate ingenuity has brought us under its sway and remains over us. The nectar of your lips is forever to be drunk by the brides.
Passage 666
माङ्गल्यायतनो राम भवानद्भुतकौतुकः। इमे व्रजजना धन्यास्त्वन्मुखेन्दुनिरीक्षकाः॥६६६॥
“Rāma, you are the abode of auspiciousness and the source of wondrous delight. Blessed are these people of Vraja who gaze upon the moon of your face.
Passage 667
धन्यं प्रमोदविपिनमाकीटपशुपक्षिकम्। मुरलीनादसुधया नित्यमाप्यायितं त्वया॥६६७॥
“Blessed is Pramodavana down to its insects, animals, and birds, forever nourished by you with the nectar of the flute's sound.
Passage 668
धन्या व्रजस्य धरणी दूर्वारोमाञ्चिता सदा। विमुक्तपादुकाभ्यां ते चरणाभ्यां सदाङ्किता॥६६८॥
“Blessed is the land of Vraja, always thrilled with blades of dūrvā grass as its body hair and forever marked by your feet freed from sandals.
Passage 669
किं वर्णनीयमस्माभिः सर्वाश्चर्यमयो भवान्। एते निकुञ्जरसिकाः कोकिला मधुपैः सह॥६६९॥
“What can we possibly describe? You are formed of every wonder. These cuckoos, together with the bees, are connoisseurs of the bowers.
Passage 670
उद्गायन्ति तव श्लोकं निगमा इव चागमैः। वसिष्ठवामदेवाद्याः याज्ञवल्क्यशुकादयः॥६७०॥
“They sing out your praise like the Vedas accompanied by the Āgamas. Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, Yājñavalkya, Śuka, and the other sages—
Passage 671
तत्तत्पक्षिस्वरूपेण निवसन्तीह सन्ततम्। तव लीलारसास्वादहेतवे सुखसेतवे॥६७१॥
“—dwell here continually in the forms of their respective birds in order to taste the rasa of your līlā, the bridge to happiness.
Passage 672
अमीषां प्रेमजं सौख्यं ब्रह्मानन्दसुखाधिकम्। अहो अत्यद्भुता रीतिः प्रमोदविपिनान्तरे॥६७२॥
“Their happiness born of love surpasses the bliss of Brahman. Ah, how utterly wondrous is the way of life within Pramodavana.
Passage 673
अहो कुटिलता प्रेम्णो गरिमा यत्र लाघवम्। लाघवं गरिमा तत्र यत्राधर्मोऽपि धर्मवत्॥६७३॥
“Ah, the crooked course of love! There greatness is smallness and smallness is greatness; there even what appears contrary to dharma functions like dharma.
Passage 674
अधर्मवदथात्र धर्मस्तथाऽऽर्जवमकैतवम्। अनार्जवं कैतवं च यत्र ते च ह्युभे च ते॥६७४॥
“Here dharma can appear like adharma, while sincerity is without deceit; crookedness and artifice are also present there, and both these opposites coexist. Source note: Verse 674 deliberately accumulates paired, paradoxical terms. The English preserves that contrast without forcing the final compact phrase into a single doctrinal gloss.
Passage 675
एतद्विस्मयनीयं च महदेवात्र दृश्यते। यदक्षरात्परं ब्रह्म पुरुषोत्तमशब्दितम्॥६७५॥
“And this greatest wonder is seen here: that Brahman beyond the imperishable, which is called Puruṣottama—
Passage 676
तदत्र नीलमाधुर्यमहसा समलङ्कृतम्। दृश्यते मुग्धवामानां करक्रीडनकोपमम्॥६७६॥
“That same reality appears here adorned by the radiance of dark sweetness, like a plaything in the hands of innocent young women.
Passage 677
भवानत्यद्भुतं वेशं कृत्वा क्रीडति कामिवत्। अहो ते दुर्लभं धाम ब्रह्मादीनां त्रयीजुषाम्॥६७७॥
“Having assumed a supremely wondrous costume, you play like a lover. Ah, your realm is inaccessible even to Brahmā and the others who follow the three Vedas.
Passage 678
प्रेमैकलभ्यं भगवन्नस्मादृङ्मुग्धचेतसाम्। तव प्रसादपात्रत्वादधुनाऽऽस्म भवातिगाः॥६७८॥
“Lord, it can be attained only through love by simple-hearted women such as us. Because we have become vessels of your grace, we have now gone beyond worldly becoming.”
Passage 679
इति प्रेम्णा वदन्तीस्ताः सर्वाः प्रत्येकमङ्गनाः। रमयामास रामेन्दुर्लीलया रसवित्तया॥६७९॥
As every one of the women spoke in this way with love, the moonlike Rāma delighted them all through his rasa-knowing līlā.
Passage 680
एकान्ततः परिप्राप्य तमेके तरुणीजनाः। तुष्टुवुर्विमलैः स्तोत्रैर्वैकुण्ठे श्रुतयो यथा॥६८०॥
Some of the young women obtained him in seclusion and praised him with stainless hymns, as the revealed scriptures praise him in Vaikuṇṭha.
Passage 681
स्त्रिय ऊचुः— नमः श्रीरामाय नित्यरमणकोविदाय नित्यमधुरमूर्तये श्रीरामाविलासरसिकाय महापुरुषायाविर्भावितविशुद्धसत्त्वाय तिरोभावितरजस्तमोमयाखिलभावायानादिभक्तिमार्गजीवातुप्रपत्तिवशीकृतचित्ताय भक्तजनवित्ताय नित्यनिरवधिप्रसादकल्पतरवे भजनार्थप्रदत्तलीलाविग्रहशिवसनकशेषशुकादिमुनिगणकमनीयविचित्रचरित्रभवनायाष्टकोणवैकुण्ठायतप्रमोदवनमाधुरीमधुव्रताय श्रीनन्दननन्दिनीश्रीसहजानन्दिनीश्रीप्रमोदिनीनित्यनिजशक्तिसमेताय मधुरमेचकनित्यसमुन्नतसुधाजलधराय ब्रह्मविद्वरिष्ठमानसराजहंसाय नित्यकिशोराय नित्यानन्दपदमहासाम्राज्यभाजनाय परब्रह्मणे निस्तुलायाप्रमेयाय कर्मोपास्तिनागम्यस्वरूपवैभवाय परमपुण्यलोकश्लोक्याय नामरूपविभिन्नप्रपञ्चरचनातीतनामरूपाय निखिलप्रपञ्चसमवायिनिमित्ताय श्रीमते रसिकरामचन्द्राय॥६८१॥
The women said: “Reverence to glorious Rasika Rāmacandra: to Śrī Rāma, adept in eternal loving delight, the eternally sweet form and connoisseur of Śrī Ramā's play; to the Great Person who manifests pure sattva and conceals every state formed of rajas and tamas; to the life of the beginningless path of devotion, whose heart is mastered by surrender; to the treasure of devotees and the eternally boundless wish-granting tree of grace; to the līlā-form granted for worship and the abode of wondrous deeds delightful to Śiva, Sanaka, Śeṣa, Śuka, and the hosts of sages; to the honeybee drinking the sweetness of Pramodavana extended throughout the eight-cornered Vaikuṇṭha; to him accompanied by his eternal intrinsic powers Śrī Nandana-nandinī, Śrī Sahajānandinī, and Śrī Pramodinī; to the sweet, dark, ever-rising cloud of nectar and the royal swan in the minds of the foremost knowers of Brahman; to the eternal youth, possessor of the vast empire of the state of eternal bliss; to Parabrahman, incomparable and immeasurable, whose essential majesty cannot be reached by ritual action or formal worship; to him praised in the supremely holy worlds, whose name and form transcend the creation of the differentiated world of name and form; and to the material and efficient cause abiding throughout the entire universe.”
Passage 682
अन्यास्ताः किङ्करीभूय नित्यस्वाम्यवशीकृताः। ऊचुः सुपेशला वाचश्चरणाहितचेतसः॥६८२॥
Other women became handmaids, brought under the sway of his eternal lordship. Fixing their minds upon his feet, they spoke exceedingly graceful words.
Passage 683
स्त्रिय ऊचुः— नमस्ते नित्यनिरवधिनिरुपमनिर्भरानुकम्पासमुद्धृताखिलजीवराशये कदुदञ्चत्कृपाकटाक्षसमुद्बोधितचिरविस्मृतस्वरूपाय शिवविरञ्चिरमान्वेषितचरणपरागरजःकणाय विमलकौस्तुभाङ्कुरितकृपाकन्दाय श्रीमत्प्रमोदवनकुञ्जाधिपतये विमलगुणभूमिसमुन्मूर्छितश्रुतिगणगन्धर्वगानाय नेतिनेतिवचसोऽप्यगोचराय रुचिररोचिष्णुचिदानन्दमयमूर्तिमहोमहनीयमहापौरुषविस्फूर्जिताय श्रीरामायाभिरामाय॥६८३॥
The women said: “Reverence to you who lift up the whole multitude of living beings through eternal, boundless, incomparable, overflowing compassion; who awaken their long-forgotten true nature with an uprising glance of grace; whose particle of foot-dust is long sought by Śiva, Brahmā, and Ramā; who are the root of grace sprouting from the stainless Kaustubha; the lord of the glorious bowers of Pramodavana; whose ground of stainless virtues makes the hosts of Vedas and Gandharvas rise into song; who remain beyond even the words ‘not this, not this’; whose lovely, radiant embodiment is made of consciousness and bliss; whose supreme personhood flashes with a majesty worthy of the highest veneration—to Śrī Rāma, the all-enchanting.”
Passage 684
अहो खलु वयं दास्यो भवतः पुरुषर्षभ। सहजानन्दिनीं युक्तं नित्यं परिचरामहे॥६८४॥
“Ah, foremost of persons, we truly are your handmaids. We shall serve you eternally together with Sahajānandinī.
Passage 685
अध्यारोढुमिदं न चित्सुखमहासाम्राज्यसिंहासन- मर्हा नाथ वयं विधातुमुचिताः कैङ्कर्यमेकान्ततः। यत्र त्वं रमयस्यखण्डविलसत्सौभाग्यकां स्वामिनीं ताम्बूलाहरणादिकामपचिति तत्राचरिष्यामहे॥६८५॥
“Lord, we are not worthy to ascend this imperial throne of the great bliss of consciousness. It is fitting that we render single-minded service. Wherever you delight the sovereign lady whose good fortune shines without interruption, there we shall offer attendance by bringing betel and performing the other services.
Passage 686
अस्मिन्नेव रसे निविष्टनिपुणस्वान्ता वयं नित्यशो ब्रह्मानन्दपदं ततोऽपि तृणवत्कृत्वा समुद्रेलिताः। अक्षुब्धं निजदास्यभावपदवीसौख्यं त्वया प्रापिताः श्रीमन्नित्यमिदं प्रमोदविपिनं द्रक्ष्यामहे लोचनैः॥६८६॥
“Our discerning hearts are forever absorbed in this rasa alone; having regarded even the state of Brahmānanda as a blade of grass, we surge beyond it. You have granted us the unshaken happiness of the path of our own mood of service. Glorious Lord, may our eyes behold this Pramodavana eternally.”
Passage 687
इति कैङ्कर्यभावेन भावितास्ताश्च भामिनीः। विविधैर्भावसंदोहैररीरमत वल्लभः॥६८७॥
Thus those radiant women were filled with the mood of intimate service, and the beloved delighted them through hosts of varied devotional moods.
Passage 688
श्रीराम उवाच— भवतीनां परो भावो ब्रह्मादिसुरदुर्लभः। यासां मदेकविषयं मनः सुदृढयन्त्रितम्॥६८८॥
Śrī Rāma said: “Your supreme devotional state is difficult even for Brahmā and the other gods to attain, for your minds are held with perfect firmness upon me alone.
Passage 689
अहो अत्यद्भुतं प्रेम्णो महिमा किमु वर्ण्यताम्। येनाहं वश्यतां यातो वेदवाचामगोचरः॥६८९॥
“Ah, how utterly wondrous is the greatness of love! How could it be described? Through it I, who lie beyond the speech of the Vedas, have come under your control.
Passage 690
गोप्यः प्रमोदवनवासनिरुद्धचित्तास्तासां पदाम्बुरुहरेणुकणप्रसादात्। एषोऽर्जिता परतरा मम भक्तिरागादुष्माकमन्तरपथे नरराजकन्याः॥६९०॥
“The gopīs' minds are held fast by their dwelling in Pramodavana. Through the grace of a particle of pollen from their lotus feet, O daughters of kings, this higher devotion to me has been attained from loving passion upon your inward path.
Passage 691
धन्याः स्थ यूयमनुरागजुषो मयीति युष्मास्वहं सहजया विनियुक्त एव। रंस्ये रमावदितराननुवर्तनीयः कीर्तिश्च वस्त्रिभुवनं वलयिष्यतीशाः॥६९१॥
“Blessed are you who cherish loving attachment to me; Sahajā herself has appointed me exclusively among you. I shall delight with you, following no other woman as I follow Ramā, and your fame, O ladies, will encircle the three worlds.
Passage 692
रत्नाचले यथा स्वयं प्रमोदविपिनेऽप्यहम्। तथेह खलु युष्माभिरहं नित्यविलासवान्॥६९२॥
“Just as I myself sport eternally in Pramodavana upon Mount Ratna, so indeed shall I sport eternally with you here.
Passage 693
को जानातीदृशीमिच्छां सहजाया रसावहाम्। लोकापवादं सोढ्वापि यथा केलिः प्रयोजिता॥६९३॥
“Who can know this rasa-bearing desire of Sahajā, by which she has arranged this play even while enduring the censure of the world?
Passage 694
किं मां नमत तदर्थं सहजावश्यतां गतम्। इमामेव तु जानीत समुद्धाव्य निजं मनः॥६९४॥
“Why bow to me for that purpose, when I have come wholly under Sahajā's control? Raise up your own minds and know her alone.
Passage 695
नाहमस्याः प्रभावज्ञो वर्ते लीलासु चावशः। योऽस्याः करावलम्बी स्यात् स मया तारितो भवात्॥६९५॥
“I do not fully know the extent of her power, and in her līlās I remain without independence. Whoever takes hold of her hand is carried by me beyond worldly becoming.
Passage 696
अत्र चोदाहरिष्यामि पुरावृत्तं यथा भवत्। कदाचिदैच्छद्गिरिशो मम लीलावलोकनम्॥६९६॥
“Here I shall relate an ancient event exactly as it occurred. Once Giriśa desired to behold my līlā.
Passage 697
श्रुत्वा भक्तैः प्रकथितां मम लीलां रसोज्जिताम्। स आगाद्भगवान् रुद्रः प्रमोदवनमन्तरा। तुतोष सर्वतो वीक्ष्य माधुरं वनमद्भुतम्॥६९७॥
“Hearing devotees describe my līlā, radiant with rasa, the blessed Rudra entered Pramodavana. Looking on every side at the wondrous, sweet forest, he became delighted.
Passage 698
चिन्तामणिप्रवरभूमिरुदञ्चदंशुव्याप्तान्तरिक्षधरणीहरिदन्तरालम्। सम्पन्नविस्फुरदनेकविचित्रकुञ्जमाधुर्यधुर्यरचनामयकामशालम्॥६९८॥
“Its excellent wish-fulfilling-jewel ground sent up rays that filled the spaces between sky, earth, and the horizons. It abounded in many radiant, wondrous bowers and was a pavilion of desire fashioned from the foremost constructions of sweetness.
Passage 699
नित्योत्सन्मधुविराजितवृक्षराजीभ्राम्यन्मधुव्रतकदम्बनिषेव्यमाणम्। कूजत्पिकीरवविकरवरसुस्वराढ्यं धन्यं प्रमोदवनमीक्ष्य ययौ न तृप्तिम्॥६९९॥
“Its rows of trees shone with perpetually rising honey and were served by swarms of circling bees. Rich with the lovely melodies poured forth by calling cuckoos, blessed Pramodavana left him unsatisfied no matter how long he gazed.
Passage 700
कैलासादागतः श्रान्तः सहजानन्दिनीसरः। अवगाह्य शिवस्तत्र तत्क्षणात् प्रमदाभवत्॥७००॥
“Weary from his journey from Kailāsa, Śiva immersed himself there in Sahajānandinī's lake and at that very moment became a woman.”
Passage 701
सात्यर्थरूपलावण्यशालिनी प्रमदा नवा। प्राग्दशां नैव सस्मार विस्मिता वाभवत्तदा॥७०१॥
The new woman, now endowed with beauty of form in the fullest sense, no longer remembered her former condition and stood there astonished.
Passage 702
आचम्य च पयस्तस्य सरसः स्वादुशीतलम्। शिवोऽहं प्रमदाभूत इति चैतन्यमाप सः॥७०२॥
After sipping the sweet, cool water of that lake, she came to awareness: “I am Śiva, and I have become a woman.”
Passage 703
निरीक्ष्य स्वस्य सौन्दर्यविशेषं गर्विता च सा। अहो न मत्समा काचिद्व्रजेऽप्यस्ति वराङ्गना। श्रीरामं वशयिष्यामि तत्क्षणादेव दर्शनात्॥७०३॥
Seeing the extraordinary beauty of her own body, she grew proud: “Ah, not even in Vraja is there a lovely woman equal to me. The very instant Śrī Rāma sees me, I shall bring him under my control.”
Passage 704
मद्रूपलावण्यमुदीक्ष्य रामो ममैव वश्यो भवितैष सदयः। श्रीनन्दनस्यात्मजयाप्यलभ्यं सौभाग्यमेष्यामि कथं न साहम्॥७०४॥
“Beholding the beauty of my form, compassionate Rāma will surely become mine to command. Why should I not attain the good fortune that is beyond the reach even of Śrī Nandana's daughter?”
Passage 705
इत्थं मनोराज्यमियं कुर्वती प्रमदा नवा। व्यचष्ट मालतीकुञ्जान्माधुरीकुञ्जमेष्यतीम्॥७०५॥
While the new woman entertained such fantasies, she caught sight of someone going from the Mālatī bower toward the Mādhurī bower.
Passage 706
काञ्चित् सखीं चम्पकाङ्गीं सहजामाल्यहारिणीम्। तस्या रूपं विलोक्यैषा भग्नमाना बभूव च॥७०६॥
It was a certain companion whose limbs shone like champaka and who carried Sahajā's garland. On seeing her beauty, the newcomer's pride was shattered.
Passage 707
अथ तां वक्तुमारेभे कासि त्वं कुत्र यास्यसि। धन्यासि रूपसारेण केवलेन विनिर्मिता॥७०७॥
She then began to address her: “Who are you, and where are you going? Fortunate one, you appear to have been fashioned solely from the very essence of beauty.
Passage 708
त्रैलोक्यललनारत्नमोहनं रूपमीदृशम्। सातिधन्यतमाकान्ता यस्यास्त्वं माल्यहारिणी। एतत्तवाद्भुतं रूपं मदं हरति योषिताम्॥७०८॥
“Such beauty enchants the jewel-like women of all three worlds. Supremely blessed is the beloved whose garland you carry. This wondrous beauty of yours strips other women of their pride.”
Passage 709
इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा नोत्तरं दत्तवत्यसौ। जगाम तूष्णीं च ततः स्वामिनीसेवनोत्सुका॥७०९॥
Hearing her words, the companion gave no reply. Eager to serve her sovereign lady, she went silently on.
Passage 710
इति तदीरितमश्रुतकेन सा प्रणिविधूय ततो विचचाल ह। निधुवनान्तविमाल्यनिजेश्वरीं ननु तुतोषयिषुर्वरिवस्यया॥७१०॥
With an ear that would not heed what the woman had said, the companion shook it off and moved on, intent through her service upon pleasing her own sovereign lady, whose garland had been cast off within the love-bower.
Passage 711
ततः सा भग्नहृदया तत्पृष्ठमनुयायिनी। जगाम माधुरीकुञ्जसमक्षद्वारकक्षिकाम्॥७११॥
Then, heartsore, the woman followed behind her and reached the doorway chamber facing the Mādhurī bower.
Passage 712
कलावती तु तत्रागाद्यथा कार्यं ममेशितुः। तत्र वेत्रच्छटाहस्तप्रतीहारीनिवारिता॥७१२॥
Kalāvatī came there in the course of her appointed service to my sovereign. At that point the newcomer was barred by a door-keeper holding a slender cane.
Passage 713
पप्रच्छ तां करुणया परिपूर्णा कलावती। कासि त्वमिह रम्भोरु किमर्थं चेह सङ्गता। अविज्ञाप्य प्रभुं नेह प्रवेशं लप्स्यसे ध्रुवम्॥७१३॥
Filled with compassion, Kalāvatī asked her, “Who are you, lovely-thighed one, and why have you come here? Without informing the Lord, you certainly will not gain entrance here.”
Passage 714
नवप्रमदोवाच— प्रमदाहं भग्नदर्पा भवतीनां तनुत्विषा। प्राप्तास्मि सहजारामलीलालालित्यदृष्टये॥७१४॥
The new woman said: “I am a woman whose pride has been broken by the radiance of your bodies. I have come to behold the graceful charm of Sahajā and Rāma's līlā.”
Passage 715
ततः कलावती गत्वा स्वामिनोश्चरणान्तिकम्। उवाच सदयं स्निग्धं यथावृत्तं नवस्त्रियः॥७१५॥
Kalāvatī then went to the feet of the divine couple and tenderly, affectionately related what had happened concerning the new woman.
Passage 716
ततो मयेरिता सद्यो नवयोषित्प्रवेश्यताम्। गत्वा कलावती तां च प्रवेशयितुमानयत्॥७१६॥
“I at once told her, ‘Let the new woman be admitted.’ Kalāvatī went and brought her forward to lead her inside.
Passage 717
कक्षान्तरे त्वथ मृदुनया वेत्रहस्तया। निरुद्धा यायिनी सङ्गे कलावत्या नवाङ्गना॥७१७॥
“Then, in another chamber, the new woman was stopped by a gentle attendant holding a cane as she went in Kalāvatī's company.
Passage 718
ततः कलावती भूयो मत्पार्श्वं समुपागता। उवाच सदयं वाक्यं तस्या हितचिकीर्षया॥७१८॥
“Kalāvatī then returned to my side and spoke compassionately, desiring the woman's welfare.
Passage 719
कलावत्युवाच— प्रभो पञ्चमकक्षायां निरुद्धा वेत्रहस्तया। नान्तःप्रवेष्टुं दत्ता सा नवश्रीर्दर्शनार्थिनी॥७१९॥
Kalāvatī said: ‘Lord, she has been stopped in the fifth chamber by a cane-bearing attendant. This newly radiant woman, who seeks your sight, has not been permitted to enter.’
Passage 720
ततः सम्प्रेषिता तावन्मया चरणदासिका। तत्सङ्गयायिनी सा तु रुद्धा कक्षान्तरे पुनः॥७२०॥
“I then sent a maid who served at our feet. As the woman went with her, she was stopped yet again in another chamber—
Passage 721
सहजाज्ञैककारिण्या अन्यया वेत्रहस्तया। ततश्चरणदासी सा मत्पार्श्वं समुपागता। उवाच तस्यास्तद्वृत्तं यथा रुद्धा नवाङ्गना॥७२१॥
“this time by another cane-bearing attendant who acted solely at Sahajā's command. The foot-maid returned to my side and related what had happened to the new woman and how she had been stopped.
Passage 722
चरणदासिकोवाच— प्रभो सप्तमकक्षायां रुद्धा सा वेत्रहस्तया। एषा श्रीसहजानन्दामुखादाज्ञां प्रतीक्षते॥७२२॥
The foot-maid said: ‘Lord, she has been barred in the seventh chamber by a cane-bearing attendant. That attendant awaits a spoken command from Śrī Sahajānandā.’
Passage 723
ततोऽहं सहजानन्दामुखं तूष्णीं विलोकयन्। न किञ्चिदूचे वचनं न स्वतन्त्रोऽस्मि तद्वशः॥७२३॥
“I then silently watched Sahajānandā's face and said nothing. I am not independent; I remain under her control.
Passage 724
ततः श्रीसहजानन्दा प्रेषयामास चेटिकाम्। तस्या आनयनार्थाय प्राप्ताया नवयोषितः॥७२४॥
“Śrī Sahajānandā then sent a maid to bring the new woman who had arrived.
Passage 725
ततः प्रवेशिता सान्तर्नवयोषित् समुत्सुका। यत्रासौ सहजा देवी मया सह विराजिता॥७२५॥
“The eager new woman was then admitted within, where Goddess Sahajā sat radiant beside me.”
Passage 726
यत्र ताम्बूलिकाहस्तो देवीं परिचराम्यहम्। भक्षयामि च भक्षामि तद्वृत्तां पर्णवोटिकाम्॥७२६॥
“There I attend the Goddess with betel in hand, and I chew and eat the rolled leaf-preparation shaped by her.
Passage 727
वीक्ष्य तां सहजा देवी जहास मृदुहासिनी। तस्या रदत्विषा कुञ्जभवनं तत् प्रकाशितम्॥७२७॥
“Seeing her, gentle-smiling Goddess Sahajā laughed, and the radiance of her teeth illuminated that bower-house.
Passage 728
यथा शारदचन्द्रांशुद्योतैः कुमुदिनीवनम्। गवाक्षनिर्गतैरंशुसन्दोहैस्तद्वल्लिकाः॥७२८॥
“Just as the light of the autumn moon's rays illumines a grove of night lotuses, the clusters of beams issuing through the lattice windows illumined the vines there.
Passage 729
सद्यश्चकाशिरे सर्वाः श्रीकुञ्जभवनान्तरे। सा नवप्रमदा वीक्ष्य सहजामुखचन्द्रिकाम्॥७२९॥
“At once they all shone within the glorious bower-house. When the new woman saw the moonlight of Sahajā's face—
Passage 730
सद्यः सम्भ्रान्तचित्ताभून्मूर्छिता निपपात च। अथो कथं कथमपि तां परिप्राप चेतनाम्॥७३०॥
“her mind was instantly overwhelmed; she fainted and fell. Then, somehow or other, she regained consciousness.
Passage 731
देवी श्रीसहजोवाच लीलाकौतुककारिणी। कस्य गोपस्य कन्येयं किं नामेति तु पृच्छ्यताम्॥७३१॥
“Goddess Śrī Sahajā, creator of wondrous līlā, said, ‘Ask whose cowherd daughter this is and what her name is.’
Passage 732
सत्यं वदतु सा चैषा नैवानृतमिह स्थितम्। नो चेत् कालान्तरेऽप्यस्या नागमोऽत्र भविष्यति॥७३२॥
“‘Let her speak the truth, for falsehood has no place here. Otherwise she will not be admitted here again, even at some later time.’
Passage 733
ततश्च कम्पमानेव प्रोवाच वचनं सती। शिवोऽस्म्यहमिह प्राप्तो लीलादर्शनलालसः॥७३३॥
“Trembling, the virtuous one then said, ‘I am Śiva. I came here longing to behold the līlā.’
Passage 734
इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा सहजा स्वयमब्रवीत्। एतत्प्रमोदविपिनं मम लीलानिकेतनम्॥७३४॥
“Hearing her words, Sahajā herself said, ‘This Pramodavana is the dwelling place of my līlā.
Passage 735
पुरुषाभिमतिर्भूत्वा कथमत्र समागतः। लोकेऽन्यस्यापि वै राज्ञो याति नान्तःपुरं पुमान्॥७३५॥
“‘How have you come here while retaining the self-conception of a man? Even in the world, no man enters the inner apartments of another king.
Passage 736
किमुताखिललोकेशमहाराजस्य मत्प्रभोः। इहैक एव पुरुषः सर्वास्तस्य च योषितः॥७३६॥
“‘How much less may one enter those of my Lord, the great sovereign of all worlds? Here he alone is male, and all the others are his women.
Passage 737
इति विज्ञाप्य सख्योऽसौ दूरे सम्यग्विधीयताम्। नास्मै क्रोधं करोम्यद्धा मत्स्वाम्यङ्घ्रिरजोजुषे॥७३७॥
“‘Having informed him of this, companions, have him placed properly at a distance. I do not truly feel anger toward him, for he cherishes the dust of my Lord's feet.
Passage 738
पुरुषाभिमतिश्चास्य नाधुनापि निवर्तते। शिवा नाम सखी भूत्वा पातु कालान्तरे त्विह॥७३८॥
“‘Even now his conviction that he is a man has not ceased. After becoming a companion named Śivā, let him protect this place here at a later time.’
Passage 739
ततः प्रणम्य सहजानन्दिनीं मां च शङ्करः। भूयो वलक्षवदनस्तस्मात्स्थानाद्विनिर्गतः॥७३९॥
“Śaṅkara then bowed to Sahajānandinī and to me and, pale-faced, departed again from that place.
Passage 740
प्रमोदविपिनस्यैकदेशेऽद्यापि तपस्यति। व्रजभक्तपदाम्भोजरजोधूसरविग्रहः॥७४०॥
“Even now he performs austerities in one part of Pramodavana, his body grey with dust from the lotus feet of the devotees of Vraja.
Passage 741
सहजानन्दिनीलीलागुणगानपरायणः। प्रेमानन्दसमुद्भूतवाष्पसिक्तकलेवरः॥७४१॥
“He is wholly devoted to singing the qualities of Sahajānandinī's līlā, his body drenched in tears arising from the bliss of love.
Passage 742
रोमाञ्चितवपुः स्तब्धः सरयूपुलिनाङ्गणे। यो मञ्जुवट इत्युक्तो जटासंकुलविग्रहः॥७४२॥
“Motionless and horripilated in the courtyard upon the bank of the Sarayū, he is called Mañjuvaṭa, his form covered in a mass of matted locks.
Passage 743
आगामिद्विपरार्धान्ते मम लीलां प्रवेक्ष्यति। इत्युक्तोऽस्याः प्रभावोऽयं सख्यः सम्यग्विचिन्त्यताम्॥७४३॥
“At the end of the coming two parārdhas, he will enter my līlā. Thus have I related her power; companions, contemplate it well.
Passage 744
तस्माद्भवत्यः सततं सहजायाः कृपावशात्। लब्ध्वा पदमिमं रामाः कृतार्था नात्र संशयः॥७४४॥
“Therefore, lovely women, having attained this station through Sahajā's constant grace, you are fulfilled—of this there is no doubt.”
Passage 745
इत्युक्त्वा भगवान् रामः कोटिकन्दर्पमोहनः। दिव्ये लङ्कावने तत्र रासमारब्धवान् मुदा॥७४५॥
Having spoken thus, blessed Rāma, who enchants ten million Love-gods, joyfully began the rāsa there in the divine forest of Laṅkā.
Passage 746
ततस्तत्परिवृत्तासां मण्डलानि चकाशिरे। फुल्लानां हेमपद्मानां मध्येन्दीवरं यथा॥७४६॥
Then the circles of women surrounding him shone like a dark-blue lotus amid blooming golden lotuses.
Passage 747
रराज भगवान् रामो रासक्रीडनकौतुकी। विधाय तावद्रूपाणि सहजानन्दिनी स्वयम्॥७४७॥
Blessed Rāma shone, eager for the rāsa play, while Sahajānandinī herself manifested the same number of forms.
Passage 748
रेमे श्रीपतिना सार्धं तावद्रूपवपुर्जुषा। चक्रे नटवरो दिव्यां नाट्यकेलीं मनोहराम्॥७४८॥
She sported with the Lord of Śrī, who likewise assumed that many bodies, and the supreme dancer performed a divine, enchanting dance-play.
Passage 749
तासां शिक्षागुणव्यूहं प्रेक्षमाण उदारधीः। ततानि विततान्येव घनानि सुषिराणि च॥७४९॥
As the noble-minded Lord observed the array of their trained accomplishments, there were stringed, stretched-skin, solid, and wind instruments—
Passage 750
षट्त्रिंशद्भेदयुक्तानि प्रत्येकं समवादयत्। तास्ता मनोरमा रामाः यथामानं यथाक्रमम्॥७५०॥
each furnished with thirty-six varieties. He had every one played together, and each delightful woman performed according to proper measure and sequence.
Passage 751
यथास्थानं यथागानं यथानृत्यं यथोदितम्। सर्वासां रागजातीनां गह्वरः समवर्तत॥७५१॥
According to place, song, dance, and prescribed manner, a dense profusion of every family of rāga arose.
Passage 752
सर्वासां स्वरजातीनामहमहमिकाभवत्। सर्वासां वाद्यजातीनामेकं रूपमदृश्यत॥७५२॥
Every family of tones vied to declare, “I am foremost,” while all the families of instruments appeared as one form.
Passage 753
सर्वासां नृत्यजातीनां सङ्करः समपद्यत। ताण्डवं पृथगेवासीन्नृत्यं चाप्यभवत्पृथक्॥७५३॥
All the varieties of dance intermingled, though the tāṇḍava remained distinct and expressive dance likewise retained its own form.
Passage 754
श्रीरामहृदयानन्दः सर्वाभिः समवर्धत। सुखकोलाहलो जातः क्षोणीगगनपूरणः॥७५४॥
Through all the women, the joy within Śrī Rāma's heart grew ever greater, and a happy tumult arose that filled earth and sky.
Passage 755
सुवेलाद्रिगुहाश्चापि प्रतिध्वानैः प्रपूरिताः। मन्दं मन्दं जलनिधिरन्वगर्जन्मृदङ्गवत्॥७५५॥
Even the caves of Mount Suvela filled with echoes, while the ocean softly answered with a rumble like a mṛdaṅga.
Passage 756
मृदङ्गानां मुरजानां झर्झराणां महाध्वनिः। सहजारामरासेऽस्मिन्नश्रूयत समन्ततः॥७५६॥
Throughout this rāsa of Sahajā and Rāma resounded the great sound of mṛdaṅgas, murajas, and jharjhara drums.
Passage 757
श्रीराममुरलीनादमोदिताः सरितोऽखिलाः। निजं वेगं परित्यज्य जाताः सिन्धुपराङ्मुखाः॥७५७॥
Delighted by the music of Śrī Rāma's flute, all the rivers abandoned their own current and turned away from the sea.
Passage 758
वृक्षाणां विटपस्कन्धपत्रेभ्यश्चामृतस्रवः। समजायत लङ्कायां पशुपक्षिमुदावहः॥७५८॥
In Laṅkā, nectar began to flow from the branches, trunks, and leaves of the trees, bringing joy to animals and birds.
Passage 759
शिवः समाधिं तत्याज ब्रह्मा स्वाध्यायमप्युत। अनादीञ्च महान् कालः सर्वभूतमनोरमः॥७५९॥
Śiva abandoned samādhi and Brahmā even his sacred recitation; beginningless, mighty Time itself became delightful to every being.
Passage 760
स्थगितश्चौषधीनाथः सार्धं तारावधूगणैः। मुनयस्त्यक्ततपसः सद्य आसन् सुनिर्वृताः॥७६०॥
The moon, lord of herbs, stood still together with his host of star-brides, and sages abandoned their austerities and at once became deeply contented.
Passage 761
कदाचित्प्रकटा तासु कदाचिच्च तिरोहिता। सहजानन्दिनी साक्षाद्व्यपोष रसकौतुकम्॥७६१॥
Sometimes manifest among the women and sometimes concealed, Sahajānandinī herself nourished the wonder of rasa.
Passage 762
तडिल्लतामण्डलमञ्जुलानां चलन्महाहेमलतोपमानाम्। विलोलचिन्तामणिमालिकानां ज्वलच्छिखावह्निविदीपितानाम्॥७६२॥
The dancers were lovely as clusters of lightning-vines and resembled great golden creepers in motion; their wish-fulfilling-jewel necklaces swayed, and they shone like fire with blazing tongues of flame.
Passage 763
मुदान्वितानां नटनोद्धुराणां वाद्यत्पदाम्भोरुहनूपुराणाम्। स्विद्यत्तनूनां प्रचलाञ्चलानां श्रीरामनृत्योत्सवचञ्चलानाम्॥७६३॥
They were filled with joy and absorbed in dancing, with anklets sounding upon their lotus feet, bodies perspiring, garment-ends fluttering, and every limb restless in the festival of Śrī Rāma's dance.
Passage 764
शब्दायमानोदरकिङ्किणीनां स्वान्दोलशोभामणिमालिकानाम्। चलाधरीयोद्धटघूर्णिकानां विलोलकान्तालकमञ्जरीणाम्॥७६४॥
Their waist-bells sounded, their jeweled necklaces were beautiful in their own swinging, their lower garments whirled forcefully, and their lovely clusters of hair tossed to and fro.
Passage 765
ऊर्ध्वं विलोलद्भुजवल्लरीणामधः समुद्यत्करपङ्कजानाम्। तनुत्विषा रञ्जितकाननानां स्वेदाञ्चितेषद्धसिताननानाम्॥७६५॥
Their vine-like arms waved upward and their lotus hands rose from below; the radiance of their bodies colored the grove, and their gently smiling faces were beaded with perspiration.
Passage 766
भ्रमत्तरङ्गाभ्रुकुटीलतानां कटाक्षनिक्षेपभृतेक्षणानाम्। तथेइतथेइरवोन्मदानां भावोद्धुराकुञ्चितनासिकानाम्॥७६६॥
Their eyebrow-vines moved like roaming waves, their eyes were full of cast sidelong glances, they grew exhilarated by cries of “tathei, tathei,” and their nostrils contracted under the surge of emotion.
Passage 767
कण्ठस्वरैस्तर्जितकोकिलानां वेणीभ्रमैर्भीषितपन्नगीनाम्। त्विषां गणैर्निर्जितह्रादिनीनां तासां चमत्कारभरः स कोऽप्यभूत्॥७६७॥
Their voices put cuckoos to shame, their whirling braids frightened female serpents, and the hosts of their radiances outshone lightning; the fullness of their wonder was beyond description.
Passage 768
झणज्झणध्वानरवाः समन्ततो बभूवुरासां तनुभूषणोद्भवाः। स ताननु प्रादुरभून्मृदङ्गजो वीणाविमिश्रः सुमनोहरध्वनिः॥७६८॥
On every side arose the “jhaṇa-jhaṇa” resonance produced by their bodily ornaments; following it appeared a most enchanting mṛdaṅga-born sound interwoven with the vīṇā.
Passage 769
कदाचिन्नृत्यमेवासीत्ताण्डवं च कदाचन। कदाचिद्भावसन्दर्शं समजायत तत्स्वयम्॥७६९॥
At one moment there was dance alone, at another tāṇḍava, and at yet another the display of devotional emotion arose of itself.
Passage 770
तोषयामास ताः सर्वाः सुविचित्रकलापटुः। रामो गायन्नटन्नृत्यन् पृथक् सङ्गीतभेदवित्॥७७०॥
Rāma, adept in wonderfully varied arts and versed in the divisions of music, pleased them all as he sang, acted, and danced in turn.
Passage 771
अभवद् गौरवं नाट्यं स्त्रैणं चातिमनोहरम्। परस्परस्य सन्तोषि सुविभिन्नं परस्परम्॥७७१॥
His stately theatre and their exceedingly charming feminine performance were clearly distinct from each other, yet each delighted the other.
Passage 772
काञ्चिन्नृत्यकलामशिक्षयत महालोलारसावेशवान्- श्रीरामः स्वयमादरेण विविधाक्रीडाक्रियाकौतुकी। काञ्चित्तादृक्कलामशिक्षयत तास्तृष्णातुराः कामिनीः- शिष्याचार्यपदस्पृशामिति परं तासामभूत् क्रीडनम्॥७७२॥
Immersed in the rasa of this greatly impassioned play and eager for its many sportive acts, Śrī Rāma himself respectfully taught the art of dance to one woman. Another taught a similar art to the love-thirsting women; thus their supreme game was to assume in turn the stations of pupil and teacher.
Passage 773
अन्यामालिङ्गति स्वैरमन्यां चुम्बति राघवः। अन्यां संस्पृश्य रमते चान्यां सम्पीड्य तिष्ठति॥७७३॥
Rāghava freely embraces one woman and kisses another; touching one, he delights with her, and pressing another close, he remains beside her.
Passage 774
अन्यां प्रसादयत्येव भामिनीं भावकोविदः। अन्यां विमोहयत्येष रतिकेलिविनोदनः॥७७४॥
Skilled in every feeling, he conciliates one radiant woman, while this master of love-play enchants another.
Passage 775
अन्यां पिबत्यधरमथान्यां मिलति वेगतः। अन्यां धावति वेगेन अन्यां सम्पीड्य गच्छति॥७७५॥
He drinks the lower lip of one and swiftly meets another; he runs toward one at speed and walks on while pressing another close.
Passage 776
अन्यां रदैः खण्डयति कपोलस्थलमण्डले। अन्यामर्पयति स्वाङ्के अन्यां दयति नखक्षतैः॥७७६॥
He marks the round surface of one woman's cheek with his teeth, sets another upon his lap, and tenderly wounds another with nail-marks.
Passage 777
अन्यां नितम्बयोर्विध्यत्यन्यां वक्षसि कौतुकी। अन्यामाकर्षति कचेष्वन्यां तुदति जङ्घयोः॥७७७॥
Playfully he presses one woman at the hips and another at the breast; he draws one by her hair and touches another at the thighs.
Passage 778
अन्यामासञ्जति हठादन्यां मृशति कक्षयोः। अन्यां चुम्बति गण्डाभ्यामन्यां चुम्बति नेत्रयोः॥७७८॥
He suddenly draws one close and touches another beneath the arms; he kisses one upon both cheeks and another upon both eyes.
Passage 779
अन्यां नाभिस्थले मृश्य करोति मदनोन्मदाम्। सहजानन्दिनीचित्तमनस्तर्पणहेतवे॥७७९॥
Touching another at the navel, he makes her delirious with love, all for the gratification of Sahajānandinī's heart and mind.
Passage 780
करीव गाहतेऽत्यर्थं तरुणीपद्मिनीवनम्। अन्यां स्खलयति स्वैरमन्यां क्षोभयते भृशम्॥७८०॥
Like an elephant he plunges deeply into the lotus-grove of young women; he freely makes one stumble and powerfully agitates another.
Passage 781
अन्यामञ्चलमाकृष्य निवारयति गच्छतीम्। इत्थमाक्रीडरसिको रेमे प्रतिवधूजनम्॥७८१॥
Drawing another back by the edge of her garment, he prevents her from leaving. In this way the connoisseur of play delighted with every woman.
Passage 782
रममाणस्य तस्याभून्मन्मथः प्रीतिवर्धनः। आस्फालितधनुःसूत्रभ्रूयुगैर्हरिणीदृशाम्॥७८२॥
As he sported, love grew ever stronger, stirred by the pairs of brows of the doe-eyed women like twanging bowstrings.
Passage 783
आविद्धो रामहृदयो ममाद रसिकाङ्गणे। एकैककामिनीः कान्तो निन्ये कुञ्जकुटीगृहे। रतवान् विविधैर्बन्धैर्नैधुवनोत्सवैः॥७८३॥
Rāma's heart, pierced by love, exulted in the arena of connoisseurs. The beloved led the women one by one into bower-cottages and delighted there in varied embraces and festivals of love.
Passage 784
ताः सम्भोगमृदितवसनालङ्कृतिव्यस्तवेशाः- स्विन्नाङ्ग्यः पुलकतनुरुत्कम्पभावादियुक्ताः। स्वस्वालीभिः समुपहसिताः सेर्ष्यमासूयनेत्रा- मन्दं मन्दं द्विरदगतयो निर्ययुः केलिकुञ्जात्॥७८४॥
Their garments crushed by union, ornaments disordered, bodies perspiring and filled with horripilation, trembling, and other emotions, the women emerged slowly from the pleasure-bowers with the gait of elephants. Their own companions teased them, and their eyes showed jealousy and bashful resentment.
Passage 785
पुनर्भूषाः संविधाय वासोरञ्जनमालिकाः। उपतस्थुर्वल्लभं तं रुचिरैरासमण्डले॥७८५॥
Having rearranged their ornaments, clothing, cosmetics, and garlands, they approached their beloved again within the lovely rāsa circle.
Passage 786
रासोत्सवः पुनरभूत्पूर्णकामकलाभृतः। सङ्गीतभेदविदुषो रामस्याद्भुतकर्मणः॥७८६॥
The rāsa festival of wondrous-working Rāma, master of the divisions of music, arose again, filled with every art of love.
Passage 787
काश्चिन्मानवतीस्तत्र दूतीसम्प्रेषणादिभिः। रामः प्रसादयामास पादयोः पतनेन च॥७८७॥
There Rāma reconciled some proud women by sending messengers and by falling at their feet.
Passage 788
काश्चिदुत्कण्ठिता रामाः श्रीकान्तः समतोषयत्। एकान्तकुञ्जलीलाभिरत्यासक्तिप्रदर्शनैः॥७८८॥
The Lord of Śrī satisfied some longing women through secluded bower-play and displays of intense attachment.
Passage 789
काश्चित्सप्रेमकलहादन्तरायमुपागताः। सम्प्रेषितसखीदूतीर्जगाम रसिकाग्रणीः॥७८९॥
Some had withdrawn because of a loving quarrel; the foremost connoisseur sent companion-messengers and went to them.
Passage 790
काश्चिद्रूपमहामाना नरनागेन्द्रकन्यकाः। स्वाधीनपतिका भावैर्मानयामास राघवः॥७९०॥
Rāghava honored certain daughters of human and Nāga lords, greatly proud of their beauty, by treating them in the mood of women whose beloved is wholly under their control. Source note: The printed edition marks मानयामास with the footnote आर्षप्रयोगः, identifying it as an archaic usage.
Passage 791
काश्चित्प्रत्यक्षविरहा अतिभूयोऽभिलाषिणीः। अविश्रान्तसुखस्तोमदायकः समतोषयत्॥७९१॥
The unceasing giver of abundant happiness fully satisfied some women who experienced separation in his very presence and longed for him all the more.
Passage 792
सर्वासां हरिणाक्षीणां मानदो रघुनन्दनः। अरीरमत रासेऽस्मिन् श्रीरामो बहुशक्तिमान्॥७९२॥
Bestowing honor upon all the doe-eyed women, mighty Śrī Rāma, delight of the Raghus, delighted them in this rāsa.
Passage 793
कामलौल्यं विलोक्यास्य कुटिला हरिणीदृशः। तिरोहितैश्वर्यदृशस्तमन्यन्त लौकिकम्॥७९३॥
Seeing his eager passion, some crookedly playful doe-eyed women, their perception of his majesty concealed, regarded him as merely worldly.
Passage 794
काश्चित्स्त्रियो देवकन्याः शुद्धज्ञानावलोकिनीः। काश्चित्पुरुषशार्दूलममन्यन्त रमापतिम्॥७९४॥
Other women, divine maidens who beheld him with pure knowledge, regarded the tiger among men as the Lord of Ramā.
Passage 795
काश्चित्स्थूलदृशः कान्ता रतिलीलारसोन्मदाः। अमन्यन्त शठं धृष्टं परब्रह्मस्वरूपिणम्॥७९५॥
Some lovely women of gross vision, intoxicated by the rasa of love-play, regarded the very embodiment of Parabrahman as a bold and shameless rogue.
Passage 796
प्रेमानन्दस्वरूपोऽत्र मन्मथः समवर्तत। स्वयमेव रामचन्द्रो रसलीलाभिरागये॥७९६॥
Here Rāmacandra himself became Love embodied as the bliss of divine affection, for the sake of passionate attachment to rasa-līlā.
Passage 797
ताः पिबन्त्योऽस्य सौन्दर्यरूपसारसुधारसम्। अतृप्तहृदया आसुरनिमेषैर्विलोचनैः॥७९७॥
Drinking the nectar that was the very essence of his beautiful form, they remained unsatisfied at heart and gazed with unwinking eyes.
Passage 798
उत्फुल्लकमलामोदवहः शीतलमारुतः। सिषेवे रघुशार्दूलं रतिलीलामहोत्सवे॥७९८॥
A cool breeze bearing the fragrance of fully opened lotuses served the tiger of the Raghus during the great festival of love-play.
Passage 799
चित्राः सुवेलाद्रिदरीर्मणिमाणिक्यदीपकैः। केलिगृहं कल्पयित्वा रेमे राजीवलोचनः॥७९९॥
The lotus-eyed Lord transformed the wondrous caves of Mount Suvela into pleasure-houses with jewel and ruby lamps and sported there.
Passage 800
महीरुहलताकुञ्जपिहितान् गिरिगह्वरान्। मलयद्रुमसौरभ्यशीलितान् शीतनिर्झरान्॥८००॥
The mountain caverns were concealed by bowers of great trees and vines, pervaded by the fragrance of Malaya's sandal trees, and cooled by waterfalls—
Passage 801
तुङ्गानि गिरिशृङ्गाणि विपुलास्तदधित्यकाः। उपत्यकाश्च रुचिराश्चक्रे केलिरसस्थलीः॥८०१॥
He made the lofty mountain peaks, their broad high plateaus, and lovely valleys into grounds for the rasa of play.
Passage 802
तासां तनुत्विषा सर्वं रञ्जितं केलिकुञ्जकम्। सचम्पकाकीर्णमिव विरेजे च समन्ततः॥८०२॥
The entire pleasure-bower was colored by the radiance of their bodies and shone on every side as though covered with champaka blossoms.
Passage 803
अन्यतो रामचन्द्रस्य तनुद्योतैर्मनोहरैः। तदिन्द्रनीलरत्नांशुवृन्दाञ्चितमिवाबभौ॥८०३॥
Elsewhere, through Rāmacandra's enchanting bodily radiance, it appeared adorned with clusters of rays from blue-sapphire gems.
Passage 804
झणज्झणितभूषाणां कूजितैः सकुतूहलैः। कामिनीनां कलालापैः कोकिलस्वरनिर्जयैः॥८०४॥
By the curious jingling of the women's ornaments and their graceful conversation that conquered the voices of cuckoos—
Passage 805
सुवेलाद्रिदरीवेश्म व्याप्तं प्रतिरवोर्जितैः। ओषध्यो दीपकप्रायास्तत्रासन् केलिकौतुके॥८०५॥
the cave-dwellings of Mount Suvela were filled with mighty echoes. During that wondrous play, the luminous herbs there served like lamps.
Passage 806
महती सा निशा चासीदखण्डविधुचन्द्रिका। मध्यंदिवगतो रेजे शशाङ्कः पूर्णमण्डलः॥८०६॥
That night became immense and bathed in uninterrupted full-moon light; the full-orbed moon shone as though stationed at the zenith.
Passage 807
कोटिचन्द्रसमुद्रासो एक एव व्यदृश्यत। महानिद्रावशं प्राप्ता मोहिताश्च निशाचराः। निभृतं राघवो रेमे सम्पन्ने रक्षसां पुरे॥८०७॥
Though one, he appeared radiant as ten million moons. The night-roaming rākṣasas fell under deep sleep and were deluded, while Rāghava sported secretly in their prosperous city.
Passage 808
आविर्भाववशात् प्रमोदविपिनस्याङ्घ्रिप्रसादात्तथा- तस्य श्रीरघुपुङ्गवस्य पतितव्यूहैकसन्तारिणः। आसीदासुरभावतो विरहितं स्थानं विशुद्धं ततः- केलीभाजनतां गतं कमलया संशोभिवैकुण्ठवत्॥८०८॥
Through the manifestation of Pramodavana and the grace of the feet of glorious Rāghava, sole ferryman of the multitudes of the fallen, that place became free of demonic nature and completely pure. It became a vessel for divine play, like Vaikuṇṭha adorned by Kamalā.
Passage 809
त्रैलोक्यं स्थगितं बभूव सहजारामस्य रासोत्सव- क्रीडायां ववृधे महारसमयप्रेमप्रमोदार्णवः। तस्यैवोच्छलिताः कणाः कतिपये व्याप्ताः समन्तात् पर- ब्रह्मानन्दमयाः सुरासुरवरव्यालात्मविद्योतिषु॥८०९॥
The three worlds stood still. In Sahajā and Rāma's rāsa-festival play, the ocean of love and joy made of supreme rasa swelled. A few droplets that splashed from it spread everywhere, filling the consciousness of gods, demons, and foremost serpents with the bliss of Parabrahman.
Passage 810
स्वस्वस्थानस्थिता देवा असुराश्चापि तादृशाः। नरा भुजङ्गमाश्चैव पातालतलवासिनः॥८१०॥
The gods and demons remained in their own stations, as did humans, serpents, and the dwellers of the netherworld—
Passage 811
ज्ञानिनो योगिनश्चापि तथा पश्वादियोनयः। निवृत्ताखिलव्यापाराः सर्वेन्द्रियलयं गताः॥८११॥
the knowers, yogins, and beings born as animals and in other forms all ceased every activity and entered the dissolution of the senses.
Passage 812
अकस्मात् सम्मुमुदिरे येषां गोत्रभवाश्च ताः। इत्येवं परमानन्दः सर्वविस्मारणो नृणाम्॥८१२॥
They suddenly rejoiced, as did those women born within their lineages. Thus supreme bliss, causing all people to forget everything—
Passage 813
अकस्माद्धृदि सञ्जातस्त्रैलोक्यस्थानवासिनाम्। केचिद्भक्तवरास्तत्र नारदाद्याः सुरर्षयः॥८१३॥
arose suddenly in the hearts of the inhabitants of all three worlds. Some foremost devotees there—divine sages headed by Nārada—
Passage 814
प्राप्ताः सुविपुलोत्कण्ठा अन्तरिक्षपथे स्थिताः। कौतूहलसमाविष्टा ददृशुः केलिनिर्भरम्॥८१४॥
arrived filled with immense longing, stood along the path of the sky, and, overcome by wonder, beheld the fullness of the play.
Passage 815
एवं तास्त्रिजगद्रामाः कृत्वा पूर्णमनोरथाः। तासां मनः समाकृष्य स्वात्मैकविषयं स्थिरम्॥८१५॥
Having thus fulfilled the desires of those women of the three worlds and drawn their minds into unwavering absorption in himself alone—
Passage 816
केलीसरोवरे स्नात्वा दत्त्वा रतिसुखं महत्। अन्योन्यमुक्षणं कृत्वा सुधानिर्मलपाथसा॥८१६॥
he bathed with them in the lake of play, granted them the great happiness of love, and joined them in sprinkling one another with water pure as nectar.
Passage 817
स्थले केलीवने केलिं विधाय विपुलां विभुः। वितीर्य विविधं ताभ्यो मनोऽभिलषितं वरम्॥८१७॥
After performing abundant play with them on land and in the pleasure-forest, the Lord bestowed upon them the various boons desired by their hearts.
Passage 818
सुप्रभातोन्मुखीं रात्रिं निरीक्ष्य भगवान् स्वयम्। सर्वा आज्ञापयामास यथास्थानं निवेशितुम्॥८१८॥
Seeing that the night was turning toward bright dawn, the blessed Lord himself instructed all the women to return to their proper stations.
Passage 819
काश्चिदत्युत्सुका रामा विलीनास्तस्य रश्मिषु। आविर्भावः पुनस्तासां प्रमोदवनकेलये॥८१९॥
Some exceedingly eager women dissolved into his rays; they would manifest again for play in Pramodavana.
Passage 820
काश्चित् सीतासखीभूय तस्याः पार्श्वेषु संस्थिताः। काश्चिल्लतास्वोषधीषु संलीय निभृतं स्थिताः॥८२०॥
Some became Sītā's companions and remained at her side; others merged into vines and herbs and stayed hidden there.
Passage 821
अनुज्ञाय प्रियां रामो माल्यवन्तमुपागमत्। अथ सुग्रीवमादाय सुमित्रातनयः स्वयम्। किष्किन्धायाः सन्निवृत्तः कृत्तिकायां महामतिः॥८२१॥
Taking leave of his beloved, Rāma returned to Mount Mālyavān. Then the wise son of Sumitrā himself brought Sugrīva back from Kiṣkindhā at the time of Kṛttikā.
Passage 822
चरित्रमिदमद्भुतं किमपि राघवेन्द्रस्य यः- शृणोति भवमङ्गलं रसविलासरासाभिधम्। स याति परमां मुदं जगति भक्तिमासादये- द्यथा रघुवरः स्वयं भजति वश्यतां तद्धृदि॥८२२॥
Whoever hears this indescribably wondrous, world-auspicious deed of Rāghavendra called the Rāsa of Rasa-filled Play attains supreme joy and devotion in this world, so that Raghav himself comes under the sway of that person's heart.
Passage 823
त्रैलोक्यवरकन्यानां समुद्धारं महाद्भुतम्। सहजायाश्च प्राकाम्यं भक्तेषु करुणां तथा॥८२३॥
The wondrous deliverance of the finest maidens of the three worlds, Sahajā's sovereign efficacy, and her compassion toward devotees—
Passage 824
लीलां श्रीरामचन्द्रस्य स्वप्रियायाश्च वश्यताम्। यो जानाति नरश्चेत्स न मुह्येत् कदाचन॥८२४॥
the person who understands Śrī Rāmacandra's līlā and his submission to his beloved will never fall into delusion.
Passage 825
एकैव परमा लक्ष्मीः प्रमोदवनचन्द्रिका। सहजानन्दिनी साक्षाद्रमते रामसङ्गिनी॥८२५॥
The one supreme Lakṣmī, the moonlight of Pramodavana, is Sahajānandinī herself, who delights in Rāma's company.
Passage 826
सैव श्रीजानकी सीता नित्यमद्भुतकेलिनी। नाम धाम स्वरूपं च तस्या वेदाद्यगोचरम्॥८२६॥
She herself is glorious Jānakī Sītā, eternally engaged in wondrous play. Her name, realm, and essential form lie beyond even the Vedas.
Passage 827
विपुलं च यशस्तस्या गीतं कविवरैर्मुहुः। यस्तां संसेवते प्रेम्णा नित्यानुकूल्यवृत्तिना॥८२७॥
Her vast glory has repeatedly been sung by the best poets. Whoever serves her with love in a disposition of constant favorable attendance—
Passage 828
स धन्यः स पुमाँल्लोके पुरुषार्थनिकेतनः। स एव सर्ववेदानां रहस्यं वेत्ति नापरः॥८२८॥
that person is blessed, truly a person in this world and an abode of life's highest aims. That one alone knows the secret of all the Vedas; no one else does.
Passage 829
तस्मात् सर्वात्मना सेव्या सर्वभावेन चानघे। संसेवनीया लोकेऽस्मिन् सहजानन्दरूपिणी॥८२९॥
Therefore, sinless one, she who embodies Sahajānanda must be served with one's whole being and every devotional mood in this world.
Passage 830
अनन्तनामरूपा सा चरित्रैः सर्वमङ्गला। रामानन्दनिधिः साक्षाद्विचित्रगुणगुम्फिता॥८३०॥
She possesses infinite names and forms and is all-auspicious through her deeds; she is the manifest treasury of Rāma's bliss, woven from wondrous qualities.
Passage 831
सैव श्रीराजिनि तव पुत्रीयं शुभगोत्रजा। सर्वासां रामलीलानां स्वेच्छयैव प्रवर्तिनी॥८३१॥
She herself, glorious Rājinī, is this daughter of yours, born in an auspicious lineage, who sets every līlā of Rāma in motion by her own will.
Passage 832
सहजा मोहिनी सीता नामत्रयसमन्विता। मयाप्युपास्यते नित्यमेषा श्रीरामसंयुता॥८३२॥
She bears the three names Sahajā, Mohinī, and Sītā. Even I worship her eternally, united with Śrī Rāma.
Passage 833
इत्युक्त्वा राजिनीं गोपीं शिवस्तदभिपूजितः। कैलासं जग्मिवान् देवो विमरोहीकृत्य गोपिकाम्॥८३३॥ Having said this to the gopī Rājinī, Śiva was duly worshipped by her. Having freed the gopī from bewilderment, the god departed for Kailāsa. Source note: The edition prints the rare or irregular form विमरोहीकृत्य in verse 833. It is retained rather than silently emended and is translated contextually as “having freed the gopī from bewilderment.” **इति श्रीमदादिरामायणे ब्रह्मभुशुण्डसंवादे पश्चिमखण्डे भरतलक्ष्मणीये शिवराजिनीसंवादे रामायणचरितोक्तौ शिवगीते षट्षष्टितमोऽध्यायः॥६६॥
** Thus ends Chapter Sixty-six in the Śiva-gītā, spoken within the Rāmāyaṇa narrative, in the dialogue of Śiva and Rājinī, in the Bharata-Lakṣmaṇa section of the Paścima-khaṇḍa of the glorious Ādi Rāmāyaṇa, in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍa.