Chapter Five — Service at the Innermost Throne

Maṅgalaṃ kalaśaṃ kācid dhṛtvā dhvajam anuttamam,
Ānanda-magnāḥ sarvāś ca paśyanti ramayanti ca. (67)

Some hold auspicious pitchers and others excellent banners. Immersed in bliss, all gaze upon the divine couple, delight them, and are themselves delighted.

Nityasiddhā nityasādhyā dampatyoḥ pāda-sevanam,
Kurute paramayā bhaktyā nānā-bhāva-prapūritāḥ. (68)

Some are eternally perfected and others eternally devoted to the path of perfection. Filled with innumerable loving moods, they serve the feet of the divine couple with the highest devotion.

Ayodhyā Sarayūś cāgre yantra-hastā śucismitā,
Nirīkṣete Rāma-vaktraṃ premāmṛta-pariplute. (69)

Ayodhya and the Sarayu themselves stand before Rama in the forms of radiant companions, holding musical instruments. Flooded with the nectar of love and smiling purely, they gaze upon his face.

Surucira-jaladābhaṃ bhāvanābhāva-gamyaṃ kanaka-nikara-bhāsvaṃ Jānakī-vāma-bhāgam,
Smita-śuci-mukha-kāntaṃ kāminī-kāmakāraṃ namata hṛdi-varāje prīta-Rāseśvaraṃ tam. (70)

Bow within the lotus of the heart to that beloved Lord of the rāsa: lovely as a raincloud, reached through the deepest contemplative feeling, shining amid masses of gold, with Janaki at his left. His pure smiling face enchants all, and he fulfils the loving desires of every devoted companion.