Chapter Two — The Nagakeshara Forest and Sarayu

The santana grove overflowed with diverse masses of flowers. Filled with love’s power and delight, Rama sported there with Sita.

Bhramad-bhramara-saṃghuṣṭe bhrājate paramānvite,
Sakhīnāṃ gīta-vāditre mahāpīṭhe manorame. (38)

On a delightful great throne the Lord shone beside his supreme beloved, while pollen-stained bees hummed and companions sang and played instruments.

Paramādbhuta-saṃkāśair hāsya-lāsya-vinoda-kṛt,
Yayāv anyad vanaṃ yatra nāgakeśara-maṇḍitam. (39)

Enjoying wondrous laughter, dance, and playful gestures, he went to another forest adorned with nagakeshara trees.

Yasyāvidūre Sarayū-tīraṃ parama-pāvanam,
Dṛṣṭvā sarvāḥ prahṛṣṭās tāḥ sakhyaḥ prema-prapūritāḥ. (40)

Close beside it lay the supremely sacred bank of the Sarayu. Seeing it, all the companions, filled with love, rejoiced exceedingly.

Gāyantyo nṛtyayantyaś ca hāsayantyaḥ parasparam,
Paramānanda-jaladhau magnā kautūhalānvitāḥ. (41)

They sang and danced, made one another laugh, and—filled with innumerable delights—plunged into the ocean of supreme bliss.