Chapter One — The Secret Sweetness of Sita’s Lord

Mādhuryaṃ gopanīyaṃ ca yad alabhyaṃ surāsuraiḥ,
Brahmā vedavidāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ Kapilo Nāradas tathā. (4)

Vaiṣṇavānāṃ ca pravaraḥ Śrī-Pañcānana-sarvadṛk,
Prahlādaḥ Sanako Vyāsas tathā Vaiyāsakir Hariḥ. (5)

Parāśaraḥ surāḥ sarve devarṣayas tathāpare,
Śrīś ca Śarvāṇī ca Sāvitrī Śeṣa-siddha-maharṣayaḥ. (6)

Vibhīṣaṇādyāś ca ye sādhyā Vaiṣṇavā Vaiṣṇavīs tathā,
Sarveṣām apy alabhyaṃ yan mādhuryaṃ Jānakī-pateḥ. (7)

Tat sarvaṃ śrotum icchāmi vistareṇa tavānanāt,
Tvaṃ sākṣāc Cāruśīlā ca nityā madhye prapūjitā. (8)

Iti śrutaṃ mayā sarvaṃ tena tvāṃ praṇamāmy aham,
Yady asti te kṛpā mahyaṃ guhyaṃ tad vada sāmpratam. (9)

There is a secret sweetness, unattainable even to gods and demons: the sweetness of Janaki’s Lord. It remains beyond Brahma, foremost knower of the Veda; Kapila and Narada; all-seeing Panchanana, foremost among Vaishnavas; Prahlada, Sanaka, Vyasa, Shukadeva, Hari, and Parashara; all gods and divine sages; Lakshmi, Parvati, Savitri, Shesha, perfected beings and great sages; Vibhishana and the other perfected Vaishnavas and Vaishnavis.

I wish to hear that entire mystery in detail from your mouth. I have heard that you are Charushila herself, worshipped among the eternal companions. Therefore I bow to you. If you have grace for me, speak that hidden truth now.