Chapter Five — The Forest Groves and Musicians

Aṣṭa-dalasyopakoṇe vallī-pādapa-maṇḍitāḥ,
Mādhavī Campakā Mallī Punnāgā Mālatī tathā. (51)

At the corners surrounding the eight-petalled lotus lie eight forests adorned with vines and trees: Madhavi, Champaka, Malli, Punnaga, and Malati are the first five.

Lavaṅga-latikā Dhātrī Tulasī paramādbhutāḥ,
Sarva-gandha-yutāḥ sarvāḥ sarva-puṣpa-prapūritāḥ. (52)

Lavanga-latika, Dhatri, and Tulasi complete the eight. Each wondrous grove is filled with every fragrance and every kind of flower.

Phalāni yatra svādūni patrāṇi cāmṛtād api,
Tatra sakhyo virājante yantra-hastāḥ praharṣitāḥ. (53)

There the fruits are sweeter than nectar, as are even the leaves. Joyful companions shine throughout those groves, carrying musical instruments in their hands.

Gāyantyo nṛtyayantyaś ca vīkṣayantyaḥ sudampatī,
Tāsāṃ nāmāni munirāṭ śṛṇutāṃ hṛdi dhāraya. (54)

They sing and dance while gazing upon the beautiful divine couple. O king among sages, hear their names and hold them within your heart.

Vīṇāvatī Vīṇahastā Veṇuhastā Sugāyikā,
Kavilāsa Vilāsena Śobhā Śobhānvitā bhavet. (55)

The first eight are Vinavati, Vinahasta, Venuhasta, Sugayika, Kavila, Savilasa, Shobha, and Shobhanvita—each distinguished by her own music, poetry, grace, or beauty.