Chapter Four — Even the Animals Enter Absorption

Overcome by Rama’s unprecedented splendour, the grazing deer and cows stopped with their food half-eaten. (4, completed)

Nimeṣa-hīnod-dha-mukhāḥ samantād viṣāṇa-karṇau kṛtavanta ekaṃ,
Muñcanti netrair jala-bindum uttamaṃ stabdhāni romāṇi ṣaḍ-indriyāṇi. (5)

They stood on every side without blinking, faces lifted upward, ears and horns appearing as one. Tears streamed from their eyes; their hair and all six faculties became motionless in devotional absorption.

Dṛṣṭvādbhutaṃ rāsa-rasaṃ manojñaṃ yogīva bhogī gata-deha-buddhiḥ,
Viniḥsṛtārdho vivarād dharāyā niśceṣṭito bheka-nimagno bhogaḥ. (6)

A serpent, half-emerged from its earthen hole in search of a frog, saw the wondrous and enchanting rāsa. Like a yogi who has lost all awareness of the body, it became utterly still and submerged in bliss.

The commentator notes that this makes a philosophical point visible: subtle desire ceases when the independently directing Supreme Self is encountered through the divine name, form, play, and abode.

Kācic ca pañcānana-madhya-madhyā māleva bālā priya-kaṇṭha-lagnā,
Abhraṃ pariṣvajya lateva cañcalā śyāmācalād iva mṛta-hema-dhārā. (7, continues)

One slender-waisted maiden clung to her beloved’s neck like a garland. Embracing his cloud-dark form like a golden vine, she resembled a shining stream of molten gold descending a dark mountain.