कोसलपुरी सुहावनी सरि सरजूके तीर। भूपावली-मुकुटमनि नृपति जहाँ रघुबीर॥ पुर-नर-नारि चतुर अति, धरमनिपुन, रत-नीति। सहज सुभाय सकल उर श्रीरघुबर-पद-प्रीति॥ श्रीरामपद-जलजात सबके प्रीति अबिरल पावनी। जो चहत सुक-सनकादि, संभु-बिरंचि, मुनि-मन-भावनी॥ सबहीके सुंदर मंदिराजिर, राउ-रंक न लखि परै। नाकेस-दुरलभ भोग लोग करहिं, न मन बिषयनि हरै॥ १ ॥ सब रितु सुखप्रद सो पुरी, पावस अति कमनीय। निरखत मनहिं हरत हठि हरित अवनि रमनीय॥ बीरबहूटि बिराजहीं, दादुर-धुनि चहु ओर। मधुर गरजि घन बरषहिं, सुनि सुनि बोलत मोर॥ बोलत जो चातक-मोर, कोकिल-कीर, पारावत घने। खग बिपुल पाले बालकनि कूजत उड़ात सुहावने॥ बकराजि राजति गगन, हरिधनु, तड़ित दस दिसि सोहहीं। नभ-नगरकी सोभा अतुल अवलोकि मुनि-मन मोहहीं॥ २ ॥ गृह-गृह रचे हिंडोलना, महि गच काँच सुढार। चित्र बिचित्र चहू दिसि परदा फटिक-पगार॥ सरल बिसाल बिराजहीं बिद्रुम-खंभ सुजोर। चारु पाटि पटि पुरटकी झरकत मरकत भौर॥ मरकत भँवर डाँड़ी कनक मनि-जटित दुति जगमगि रही। पटुली मनहु बिधि निपुनता निज प्रगट करि राखी सही॥ बहुरंग लसत बितान मुकुतादाम-सहित मनोहरा। नव-सुमन-माल-सुगंध लोभे मंजु गुंजत मधुकरा॥ ३ ॥ झुंड-झुंड झूलन चलीं गजगामिनि बर नारि। कुसुँभि चीर तनु सोहहीं, भूषन बिबिध सँवारि॥ पिकबयनी मृगलोचनी सारद ससि सम तुंड। रामसुजस सब गावहीं सुसुर सुसारंग गौंड॥ सारंग गौंड-मलार, सोरठ, सुहो सुधरनि बाजहीं। बहु भाँति तान-तरंग सुनि गंधरब किंनर लाजहीं॥ अति मचत, छूटत कुटिल कच, छबि अधिक सुंदरि पावहीं। पट उड़त, भूषन खसत, हँसि-हँसि अपर सखी झुलावहीं॥ ४ ॥ फिरि फिरि झूलहिं भामिनी अपनी अपनी बार। बिबुध-बिमान थकित भए देखत चरित अपार॥ बरषि सुमन हरषहिं उर, बरनहिं हरिगुन-गाथ। पुनि पुनि प्रभुहि प्रसंसहीं ‘जय जय जानकिनाथ॥’ जय जानकीपति बिसद कीरति सकल-लोक-मलापहा। सुरबधू देहिं असीस, चिरजिव राम, सुख-संपति महा॥ पावस समय कछु अवध बरनत सुनि अघौघ नसावहीं। रघुबीरके गुनगन नवल नित दास तुलसी गावहीं॥ ५ ॥
Lovely Kosalapurī stands on the bank of the Sarayū, where Raghubīra—crown jewel among rows of kings—is sovereign. The city's women and men are highly discerning, skilled in dharma, and devoted to right conduct; by their very nature every heart loves Śrī Raghubara's feet. Their ceaseless, purifying love for Śrī Rāma's lotus feet is desired by Śuka, Sanaka and the others, Śiva, Brahmā, and the sages. Every house and courtyard is beautiful, with no visible distinction between king and pauper. The people enjoy pleasures rare even for Indra, yet their minds are not carried away by sense objects. (1) The city gives joy in every season, but is especially lovely in the rains. Its charming green earth seizes the mind at sight. Velvet mites shine, frogs sound on every side, clouds rain with gentle thunder, and peacocks answer again and again. Cātakas, peacocks, cuckoos, parrots, and many pigeons call; the many pet birds of children coo and fly beautifully. Rows of cranes and the rainbow rule the sky, while lightning adorns all ten directions. The unequaled beauty of sky and city enchants even sages' minds. (2) In every house swings are built; polished glass floors shine and patterned curtains hang on crystal walls in every direction. Straight, massive coral pillars stand firm, while emerald hooks glitter above lovely gold-covered seats. Emerald hooks and gem-set golden rods blaze with light, and each platform seems to display the Creator's own perfect skill. Multicolored canopies hung with strings of pearls shine beautifully, and bees, enticed by the fragrance of fresh flower garlands, hum sweetly. (3) Troop after troop of stately, elephant-gaited women goes to swing, their bodies bright in safflower-red garments and adorned with many ornaments. Cuckoo-voiced, doe-eyed, and moon-faced, they sing Rāma's fame sweetly in Sāraṅga and Gauḍa. Sāraṅga, Gauḍa Malāra, Soraṭha, and Sūho resound beautifully; hearing the many waves of melody, gandharvas and kinnaras grow ashamed. The swinging grows lively, curling hair comes loose, and the women gain still greater beauty; clothes fly, ornaments slip, and laughing friends push one another. (4) Again and again each woman takes her turn to swing, while the gods' aerial cars stand transfixed watching the boundless play. Showering flowers, the gods rejoice and recount Hari's virtues, repeatedly praising the Lord: “Victory, victory to Jānakīnātha! Victory to Jānakīpati, whose stainless fame destroys the impurity of every world.” Heavenly women bless him: “Long live Rāma; may his happiness and prosperity be great.” Hearing even this brief account of Ayodhyā in the rains destroys hosts of sins. Tulsī, the servant, daily sings Raghubīra's ever-new virtues. (5)