Chapter Three — The Hidden Ashoka Grove

Tava jalajaṃ patitā yena khagādyāḥ prāṇa-mocana-kṛte ’pi,
Tat-kṣaṇād Brahma-Rudra-Vasudendra-vanditā bhavanti. (16)

Birds and other creatures that fall into your waters and give up their lives there are, in that very instant, honoured by Brahma, Rudra, the Vasus, Indra, and the other gods.

Tan-madhye ’śoka-vanikā divya-pādapa-saṅkulā,
Praphullitā cāruvatī śrīmad-bhramara-mālinī. (17)

Within the sacred circle of the Sarayu stood the Ashoka grove, crowded with divine trees, radiant with beautiful blossoms, and adorned with splendid garlands of bees.

Jyotiṣmatī maṇidvīpavatī prema-pradā satī,
Rāma-priyā cakra-rūpā hari-netra-bhavāvṛtā. (18)

Luminous and filled with jeweled islands, the holy grove bestowed divine love. Dear to Rama and formed as a sacred circle, it was enclosed by the loving glances of Hari.

Tatra cintāmaṇi-bhūmir vāñchādhika-phalapradā,
Yad gatvā na nivartante prāṇino bhāgya-gauravāt. (19)

Its ground was composed of wish-fulfilling gems and granted fruits greater than one could desire. Fortunate beings who reached that place never returned to worldly existence.