राम-लषन इक ओर, भरत-रिपुदवन लाल इक ओर भये। सरजुतीर सम सुखद भूमि-थल, गनि-गनि गोइयाँ बाँटि लये॥ १ ॥ कंदुक-केलि-कुसल हय चढ़ि-चढ़ि, मन कसि-कसि ठेंकि-ठेंकि खये। कर-कमलनि बिचित्र चौगानैं, खेलन लगे खेल रिझये॥ २ ॥ ब्योम बिमाननि बिबुध बिलोकत खेलक पेखक छाँह छये। सहित समाज सराहि दसरथहि बरषत निज तरु-कुसुम-चये॥ ३ ॥ एक लै बढ़त एक फेरत, सब प्रेम-प्रमोद-बिनोद-मये। एक कहत भइ हार रामजूको, एक कहत भइया भरत जये॥ ४ ॥ प्रभु बकसत गज बाजि, बसन-मनि, जय धुनि गगन निसान हये। पाइ सखा-सेवक जाचक भरि जनम न दुसरे द्वार गये॥ ५ ॥ नभ-पुर परति निछावरि जहे तहेँ, सुर-सिद्धनि बरदान दये। भूरि-भाग अनुराग उमगि जे गावत-सुनत चरित नित ये॥ ६ ॥ हारे हरष होत हिय भरतहि, जिते सकुच सिर नयन नये। तुलसी सुमिरि सुभाव-सील सुकृती तेइ जे एहि रंग रए॥ ७ ॥
Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa take one side; dear Bharata and the foe-subduer Śatrughna take the other. On the pleasant, level ground beside the Sarayū they count out and divide their teammates. (1) Mounting horses trained for the ball-game, tightening their belts and bracing themselves, the delighted players begin a marvelous game of polo with their lotus-hands. (2) From aerial chariots in the sky the gods watch, casting shade upon players and spectators. Praising Daśaratha and his company, they shower clusters of flowers from their celestial trees. (3) One side carries the ball forward and the other turns them back; all are immersed in love, delight, and play. Some say, “Rāma has lost,” while others say, “Brother Bharata has won.” (4) The Lord awards elephants, horses, clothes, and gems; victory cries and drums resound from the sky. Receiving gifts, friends, servants, and supplicants never go to another's door for the rest of their lives. (5) Offerings rain here and there from the sky upon the city, while gods and siddhas bestow blessings. Abundantly fortunate are those who, surging with love, always sing and hear these deeds. (6) Bharata's heart rejoices when he loses; when he wins, he lowers head and eyes in modesty. Tulsī says: remembering this nature and character, blessed are those dyed in this very color. (7)