Srinivasa's Longing After Seeing Padmavati

Verse 1 (skanda.2.5.1)

श्रीवराह उवाच। सम्प्राप्य चालयं दिव्यमवतीर्य हयोत्तमात्। विसृज्य सानुगान्सर्वान्देवान्कैरातरूपकान्

śrīvarāha uvāca| samprāpya cālayaṁ divyamavatīrya hayottamāt| visṛjya sānugānsarvāndevānkairātarūpakān

Sri Varaha said: Having reached that divine abode, dismounting from his excellent horse, and dismissing all his attendant gods in the form of hunters -

Verse 2 (skanda.2.5.2)

विश्रमध्वमिति प्रोच्य विवेश मणिमण्डपम्। आरुह्य मणिसोपानं पंचकक्षा अतीत्य च

viśramadhvamiti procya viveśa maṇimaṇḍapam| āruhya maṇisopānaṁ paṁcakakṣā atītya ca

saying "Rest now," he entered the jewelled pavilion. Ascending the jewelled staircase and passing through five enclosures -

Verse 3 (skanda.2.5.3)

मुक्तागृहं समासाद्य तस्मिँल्लोलायिते शुभे। नवरत्नमये मंचे संविवेशावशो हरिः

muktāgṛhaṁ samāsādya tasmi~llolāyite śubhe| navaratnamaye maṁce saṁviveśāvaśo hariḥ

reaching the hall built of pearls, upon that swaying, auspicious couch wrought of the nine gems, Hari, overcome, lay down.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.5.4)

संस्मरन्पद्मगर्भाभां तामेवायतलोचनाम्। तनुमध्यां पीनकुचां मन्दस्मितसुखांबुजाम्

saṁsmaranpadmagarbhābhāṁ tāmevāyatalocanām| tanumadhyāṁ pīnakucāṁ mandasmitasukhāṁbujām

He kept remembering, again and again, that maiden radiant as the heart of a lotus, long-eyed, slender-waisted, full-breasted, her lotus-face gladdened by a gentle smile.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.5.5)

क्षीराब्धितनयामेव मेने पद्मोद्भवां शुभाम्। तस्यां गतमना देवः श्रीनिवासो मुमोह च

kṣīrābdhitanayāmeva mene padmodbhavāṁ śubhām| tasyāṁ gatamanā devaḥ śrīnivāso mumoha ca

He came to regard her as though she were the auspicious one born of the lotus, the daughter of the Ocean of Milk. His mind fixed upon her, the god Srinivasa fell into a swoon of longing.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.5.6)

ततो मध्याह्नसमये कृत्वान्नं दिव्यमुत्तमम्। सूपदंशं सुगन्धं च देवार्हमतिशोभनम्

tato madhyāhnasamaye kṛtvānnaṁ divyamuttamam| sūpadaṁśaṁ sugandhaṁ ca devārhamatiśobhanam

Then, at midday, having prepared divine and excellent food, fragrant side-dishes, most beautiful fare fit for the gods -

Verse 7 (skanda.2.5.7)

शुद्धान्नं पायसान्नं च गौडं मुद्गान्नमेव च। कृत्वा पञ्चविधापूपान्पूरिकावटकानपि

śuddhānnaṁ pāyasānnaṁ ca gauḍaṁ mudgānnameva ca| kṛtvā pañcavidhāpūpānpūrikāvaṭakānapi

pure rice, rice-pudding, a jaggery dish, mung-dal fare, five kinds of sweet cakes, and also fried breads and lentil-fritters -

Verse 8 (skanda.2.5.8)

देवं द्रष्टुं ययौ शीघ्रं सखी वकुलमालिका। पद्मावतीपद्मपत्रा चित्ररेखासमन्विता

devaṁ draṣṭuṁ yayau śīghraṁ sakhī vakulamālikā| padmāvatīpadmapatrā citrarekhāsamanvitā

the companion Bakulamalika, along with Padmavati's lovely maid Chitrarekha, went quickly to see the Lord.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.5.9)

निवेश्य द्वारि देवस्य ताः सर्वाः प्रमदोत्तमाः। विवेश तत्समीपं सा स्वयं बकुलमालिका

niveśya dvāri devasya tāḥ sarvāḥ pramadottamāḥ| viveśa tatsamīpaṁ sā svayaṁ bakulamālikā

Leaving all those excellent women at the door of the Lord, Bakulamalika herself went into his presence.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.5.10)

गत्वा समीपं देवस्य ववन्दे भक्तिभावतः। दृष्ट्वाथ देवं विवशं पर्यंके रत्नभूषिते

gatvā samīpaṁ devasya vavande bhaktibhāvataḥ| dṛṣṭvātha devaṁ vivaśaṁ paryaṁke ratnabhūṣite

Approaching the Lord, she bowed with devotion. Then she saw the Lord lying helpless upon the jewel-adorned couch.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.5.11)

पादसंवाहनं कृत्वा निमीलितविलोचनम्। तं ध्यायन्तं च किमपि व्याजहार शुचिस्मिता

pādasaṁvāhanaṁ kṛtvā nimīlitavilocanam| taṁ dhyāyantaṁ ca kimapi vyājahāra śucismitā

Massaging his feet, and seeing him, eyes closed, absorbed in the contemplation of something, that pure-smiling one spoke.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.5.12)

उत्तिष्ठ देवदेवेश किं शेषे पुरुषोत्तम। परमान्नं कृतं देव भोक्तुमागच्छ माधव

uttiṣṭha devadeveśa kiṁ śeṣe puruṣottama| paramānnaṁ kṛtaṁ deva bhoktumāgaccha mādhava

"Rise, O Lord of Lords, O Supreme Person! Why do you lie here? O Lord, excellent food has been prepared; come, O Madhava, to eat."

Verse 13 (skanda.2.5.13)

किं वा त्वमार्तवच्छेषे सर्वलोकार्तिनाशन। मृगयामटता देव कि दृष्टं भवता वने

kiṁ vā tvamārtavaccheṣe sarvalokārtināśana| mṛgayāmaṭatā deva ki dṛṣṭaṁ bhavatā vane

"Why do you lie there like one afflicted, O destroyer of the suffering of all worlds? O Lord, what did you see in the forest while out hunting?"

Verse 14 (skanda.2.5.14)

अवस्था ते विशालाक्ष कामुकस्येव दृश्यते। का दृष्टा देवकन्या वा मानुषी वाऽहिकन्यका

avasthā te viśālākṣa kāmukasyeva dṛśyate| kā dṛṣṭā devakanyā vā mānuṣī vā'hikanyakā

"O wide-eyed one, your condition appears like that of one smitten by desire. Whom did you see — some daughter of the gods, or a human maiden, or a serpent-maiden?"

Verse 15 (skanda.2.5.15)

ब्रूहि मे त्वमचिन्त्यात्मन्कन्यां तां चित्तहारिणीम्

brūhi me tvamacintyātmankanyāṁ tāṁ cittahāriṇīm

"Tell me, O you of inconceivable nature, about that maiden who has stolen your heart."

Verse 16 (skanda.2.5.16)

श्रीवराह उवाच। तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा निःश्वासमकरोद्विभुः। निःश्वसंतं पुनः प्राह प्रीता बकुलमालिका

śrīvarāha uvāca| tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā niḥśvāsamakarodvibhuḥ| niḥśvasaṁtaṁ punaḥ prāha prītā bakulamālikā

Sri Varaha said: Hearing her words, the Lord heaved a sigh. To him thus sighing, the affectionate Bakulamalika spoke again.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.5.17)

एवं मनोहरा का सा तवापि पुरुषोत्तम। तामवोचद्धृषीकेशो वक्ष्यामि शृणु तत्त्वतः

evaṁ manoharā kā sā tavāpi puruṣottama| tāmavocaddhṛṣīkeśo vakṣyāmi śṛṇu tattvataḥ

"Who is she, O Supreme Person, so enchanting as to have captivated even you?" To her Hrishikesha said: "I shall tell you truly; listen."

Verse 18 (skanda.2.5.18)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। पुरा त्रेतायुगे पुण्ये रावणं हतवानहम्। तदा वेदवती कन्या साहाय्यमकरोच्छ्रियः

śrībhagavānuvāca| purā tretāyuge puṇye rāvaṇaṁ hatavānaham| tadā vedavatī kanyā sāhāyyamakarocchriyaḥ

The Lord said: Formerly, in the sacred Treta age, I slew Ravana. At that time, a maiden named Vedavati rendered assistance to Lakshmi.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.5.19)

सीतारूपाभवल्लक्ष्मीर्जनकस्य महीतलात्। गते मयि तु मारीचं हन्तुं पञ्चवटीवने

sītārūpābhavallakṣmīrjanakasya mahītalāt| gate mayi tu mārīcaṁ hantuṁ pañcavaṭīvane

Lakshmi had appeared in the form of Sita, from the soil of Janaka. When I had gone into the Panchavati forest to slay Maricha -

Verse 20 (skanda.2.5.20)

ममानुजोऽपि मामेव सीतया चोदितोन्वयात्। तदन्तरे राक्षसेन्द्रो हर्तुं सीतामुपाययौ

mamānujo'pi māmeva sītayā coditonvayāt| tadantare rākṣasendro hartuṁ sītāmupāyayau

my younger brother also, urged by Sita, followed after me; and meanwhile the lord of the demons came to abduct Sita.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.5.21)

अग्निहोत्रगतो वह्निस्तं ज्ञात्वा रावणोद्यमम्। आदाय सीतां पाताले स्वाहायां सन्निवेश्य च

agnihotragato vahnistaṁ jñātvā rāvaṇodyamam| ādāya sītāṁ pātāle svāhāyāṁ sanniveśya ca

The Fire-god, present in the sacrificial fire, knowing of Ravana's intent, took Sita away and placed her with Svaha in the netherworld -

Verse 22 (skanda.2.5.22)

तेनैव रक्षसा स्पृष्टां पुरा वेदवतीं शुभाम्। अग्नौ विसृष्टदेहां तां संहर्तुं रावणं पुनः

tenaiva rakṣasā spṛṣṭāṁ purā vedavatīṁ śubhām| agnau visṛṣṭadehāṁ tāṁ saṁhartuṁ rāvaṇaṁ punaḥ

and, in order to bring about Ravana's destruction, took that auspicious Vedavati — who, having once been touched by that same demon, had given up her body in fire -

Verse 23 (skanda.2.5.23)

सीताया रूपसदृशीं कृत्वा चैवोत्ससर्ज ह। सा रावणहृता भूत्वा लंकायां च निवेशिता

sītāyā rūpasadṛśīṁ kṛtvā caivotsasarja ha| sā rāvaṇahṛtā bhūtvā laṁkāyāṁ ca niveśitā

and, giving her a form resembling Sita's, sent her forth. She, abducted by Ravana, was placed in Lanka.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.5.24)

हते तु रावणे पश्चात्पुनरग्निं विवेश सा। अग्निस्तु रक्षितां लक्ष्मीं स्वाहायां मम जानकीम्

hate tu rāvaṇe paścātpunaragniṁ viveśa sā| agnistu rakṣitāṁ lakṣmīṁ svāhāyāṁ mama jānakīm

After Ravana was slain, she entered the fire once more. Then Agni brought forth my Janaki, Lakshmi, who had been kept safe with Svaha -

Verse 25 (skanda.2.5.25)

दत्त्वा हस्ते च मामाह सीतया सहितां सखीम। इयं वेदवती देव सीतायाः प्रियकारिणी

dattvā haste ca māmāha sītayā sahitāṁ sakhīma| iyaṁ vedavatī deva sītāyāḥ priyakāriṇī

and, placing her in my hands together with her companion, said to me: "O Lord, this is Vedavati, the dear friend of Sita."

Verse 26 (skanda.2.5.26)

सीतार्थं राक्षसपुरे तेन बन्दीकृता स्थिता। तस्मादेनां वरेणैव प्रीणय त्वं श्रिया सह

sītārthaṁ rākṣasapure tena bandīkṛtā sthitā| tasmādenāṁ vareṇaiva prīṇaya tvaṁ śriyā saha

"For Sita's sake she was held captive by him in the city of the demons. Therefore, by granting her a boon, please her, together with Sri."

Verse 27 (skanda.2.5.27)

इति वह्निवचः श्रुत्वा सीता मामवदच्छुभा। मम प्रीतिकरी नित्यमियं वेदवती विभो

iti vahnivacaḥ śrutvā sītā māmavadacchubhā| mama prītikarī nityamiyaṁ vedavatī vibho

Hearing Agni's words, the auspicious Sita said to me: "O mighty one, this Vedavati is ever dear to me."

Verse 28 (skanda.2.5.28)

तस्मात्परं भागवतीं देवैनां वरय प्रभो

tasmātparaṁ bhāgavatīṁ devaināṁ varaya prabho

"Therefore, O Lord, accept her as a supreme devotee of the divine."

Verse 29 (skanda.2.5.29)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। तथा देवि करिष्यामि ह्यष्टाविंशे कलौ युगे। तावदेषा ब्रह्मलोके वसत्वमरपूजिता

śrībhagavānuvāca| tathā devi kariṣyāmi hyaṣṭāviṁśe kalau yuge| tāvadeṣā brahmaloke vasatvamarapūjitā

The Lord said: "O goddess, so it shall be, in the twenty-eighth Kali age; until then, let her dwell in Brahmaloka, worshipped by the immortals."

Verse 30 (skanda.2.5.30)

पश्चात्तु भूमितनया भविष्यति वियत्सुता। इति दत्तवरा पूर्वं मया लक्ष्म्या च सुन्दरी

paścāttu bhūmitanayā bhaviṣyati viyatsutā| iti dattavarā pūrvaṁ mayā lakṣmyā ca sundarī

"Afterward she shall become a daughter of the Earth, the daughter of Viyat" — thus, in former times, that lovely one was given this boon by me and by Lakshmi.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.5.31)

अद्य नारायणपुरे सम्भूता धरणीतलात्। पद्मासमा पद्मनेत्री पद्मादत्तवरा सती

adya nārāyaṇapure sambhūtā dharaṇītalāt| padmāsamā padmanetrī padmādattavarā satī

Today that same one, born of the earth's surface at Narayanapura, equal to Padma, lotus-eyed, that virtuous one who received a boon from Padma -

Verse 32 (skanda.2.5.32)

सखीभिरनुरूपाभिर्वने पुष्पाणि चिन्वती। मृगयामटता तत्र मया दृष्टा मनोरमा

sakhībhiranurūpābhirvane puṣpāṇi cinvatī| mṛgayāmaṭatā tatra mayā dṛṣṭā manoramā

gathering flowers in the forest with her fitting companions — there, while I was out hunting, I beheld that enchanting one.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.5.33)

तस्या रूपं मया वक्तुं न शक्यं शतहायनैः। लक्ष्म्येव च तया मेऽद्य संगमो भविता यदि

tasyā rūpaṁ mayā vaktuṁ na śakyaṁ śatahāyanaiḥ| lakṣmyeva ca tayā me'dya saṁgamo bhavitā yadi

I could not describe her beauty even in a hundred years. If today I should attain union with her, as though with Lakshmi herself -

Verse 34 (skanda.2.5.34)

प्राणाः स्थिरा भविष्यन्ति सत्यमित्यवधारय

prāṇāḥ sthirā bhaviṣyanti satyamityavadhāraya

then my life-breaths would remain steady — know this to be true.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.5.35)

त्वं तत्र गत्वा तां कन्यां दृष्ट्वा बकुलमालिके। जानीहि रूपलावण्यादियं योग्येति चास्य वै। अनवद्या विशालाक्षी पद्मेन्दीवरलोचना

tvaṁ tatra gatvā tāṁ kanyāṁ dṛṣṭvā bakulamālike| jānīhi rūpalāvaṇyādiyaṁ yogyeti cāsya vai| anavadyā viśālākṣī padmendīvaralocanā

You, O Bakulamalika, go there, and having seen that maiden, ascertain by her beauty and grace whether she is indeed a fitting match for him — flawless, wide-eyed, her eyes like the lotus and the blue water-lily.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.5.36)

इत्युक्त्वा मोहमापन्नं तं प्राह बकुला पुनः। इतो गच्छामि देवेश मनोज्ञा तव यत्र सा

ityuktvā mohamāpannaṁ taṁ prāha bakulā punaḥ| ito gacchāmi deveśa manojñā tava yatra sā

Having said this, Bakula spoke again to him, overcome as he was: "O Lord of gods, I go now to where your beloved is."

Verse 37 (skanda.2.5.37)

मार्गं वद रमाधीश गमिष्ये येन तां प्रति। एवमुक्तो रमाधीशस्तां प्राह वकुलस्रजम्

mārgaṁ vada ramādhīśa gamiṣye yena tāṁ prati| evamukto ramādhīśastāṁ prāha vakulasrajam

"Tell me the path, O Lord of Rama, by which I may go to her." Thus addressed, the Lord of Rama spoke to that garlanded Bakula.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.5.38)

इतो गच्छ महाभागे श्रीनृसिंहगुहा यतः। तन्मार्गेणावतीर्यास्माद्भूधरेन्द्रान्मनोरमात्

ito gaccha mahābhāge śrīnṛsiṁhaguhā yataḥ| tanmārgeṇāvatīryāsmādbhūdharendrānmanoramāt

"Go from here, O most fortunate one, to where the cave of Sri Narasimha is. Descending by that path from this enchanting lord of mountains -"

Verse 39 (skanda.2.5.39)

अगस्त्याश्रममासाद्य दृष्ट्वा लिंगं तदर्चितम्। अगस्त्येश इति ख्यातं सुवर्णमुखरीतटे

agastyāśramamāsādya dṛṣṭvā liṁgaṁ tadarcitam| agastyeśa iti khyātaṁ suvarṇamukharītaṭe

"reaching the hermitage of Agastya, and beholding there, on the bank of the Suvarnamukhari, the worshipped linga known as Agastyesha -"

Verse 40 (skanda.2.5.40)

तीरेणैव ततो गच्छ शुकब्रह्मऋषेर्वनम्। पश्यन्ती स्वर्णमुखरीं तत्र कल्लोलमालिनीम्

tīreṇaiva tato gaccha śukabrahmaṛṣervanam| paśyantī svarṇamukharīṁ tatra kallolamālinīm

"then, along that very bank, go to the forest of the brahmarshi Shuka, beholding there the Suvarnamukhari garlanded with waves -"

Verse 41 (skanda.2.5.41)

तत्र पद्मसरोनाम पावनं पद्मसंयुतम्। तत्र स्नात्वाऽथ तत्तीरे तपन्तं मुनिसत्तमम्

tatra padmasaronāma pāvanaṁ padmasaṁyutam| tatra snātvā'tha tattīre tapantaṁ munisattamam

"There is the sacred lake there named Padmasara, filled with lotuses; bathing there, and beholding on its bank that best of sages practising austerity -"

Verse 42 (skanda.2.5.42)

छायाशुकं नमस्कृत्य कृष्णं च बलसंयुतम्। आराध्यमानं मुनिना शुकेन सततं शुभे

chāyāśukaṁ namaskṛtya kṛṣṇaṁ ca balasaṁyutam| ārādhyamānaṁ muninā śukena satataṁ śubhe

"having bowed to Chhayashuka, and beholding Krishna together with Bala, whom the sage Shuka ceaselessly worships, O auspicious one -"

Verse 43 (skanda.2.5.43)

इन्द्रनीलमणिश्यामं पीतनिर्मलवाससम्। तीर्थयात्रां गमिष्यन्तं बलभद्रं सिताकृतिम्

indranīlamaṇiśyāmaṁ pītanirmalavāsasam| tīrthayātrāṁ gamiṣyantaṁ balabhadraṁ sitākṛtim

"dark as sapphire, wearing spotless yellow garments, about to set out on a pilgrimage, and Balabhadra, of fair hue -"

Verse 44 (skanda.2.5.44)

उपासयन्तं मंत्राणि मुक्तान्वितकरद्वयम्। उद्यन्तं पादुकायुक्तं बलभद्रं प्रणम्य च

upāsayantaṁ maṁtrāṇi muktānvitakaradvayam| udyantaṁ pādukāyuktaṁ balabhadraṁ praṇamya ca

"reciting mantras, a rosary of pearls in both hands, setting out, wearing sandals — bowing to that Balabhadra -"

Verse 45 (skanda.2.5.45)

आदाय स्वर्णकमलं सरसोऽस्माद्वरानने। तीर्त्वा सुवर्णमुखरीं वनान्युपवनानि च

ādāya svarṇakamalaṁ saraso'smādvarānane| tīrtvā suvarṇamukharīṁ vanānyupavanāni ca

"taking a golden lotus from this lake, O fair one, and crossing the Suvarnamukhari, passing through forests and groves -"

Verse 46 (skanda.2.5.46)

अरणीतीरमासाद्य विश्रम्य च वनान्तरे। नारायणपुरीं दृष्ट्वा विस्मयं च गमिष्यसि

araṇītīramāsādya viśramya ca vanāntare| nārāyaṇapurīṁ dṛṣṭvā vismayaṁ ca gamiṣyasi

"reaching the bank of the Arani, resting within the forest, and beholding Narayanapuri, you will be filled with wonder."

Verse 47 (skanda.2.5.47)

तस्याश्चोपवने वृक्षान्पुष्पाढ्यान्फलसंयुतान्। पनसाम्रशिरीषांश्च कुन्दतिन्दुकपाटलान्

tasyāścopavane vṛkṣānpuṣpāḍhyānphalasaṁyutān| panasāmraśirīṣāṁśca kundatindukapāṭalān

"In its grove you will see trees laden with flowers and fruit — jackfruit, mango, shirisha, kunda, tinduka, patala -"

Verse 48 (skanda.2.5.48)

पुन्नागनागवरणरसालांकोलचंपकान्। बकुलामलकान्सालांस्तालहिंतालपद्मकान्

punnāganāgavaraṇarasālāṁkolacaṁpakān| bakulāmalakānsālāṁstālahiṁtālapadmakān

"punnaga, naga, varana, mango, ankola, champaka, bakula, amla, sala, tala, hintala, padmaka -"

Verse 49 (skanda.2.5.49)

जम्बूनिम्बकदम्बैलापिप्पलीमधुकार्जुनान्। प्रियंगुहिंगुखर्जूरमायूराशोकलोध्रकान्

jambūnimbakadambailāpippalīmadhukārjunān| priyaṁguhiṁgukharjūramāyūrāśokalodhrakān

"jambu, nimba, kadamba, ela, pippali, madhuka, arjuna, priyangu, hingu, date-palm, mayura, ashoka, lodhra -"

Verse 50 (skanda.2.5.50)

अश्वत्थोदुम्बरप्लक्षबदरीभूर्जकीचकान्। चिञ्चाकिंशुकमन्दारशाल्मलीबीजपूरकान्

aśvatthodumbaraplakṣabadarībhūrjakīcakān| ciñcākiṁśukamandāraśālmalībījapūrakān

"peepal, gular, plaksha, jujube, birch, bamboo, tamarind, kimshuka, mandara, shalmali, citron -"

Verse 51 (skanda.2.5.51)

पूगनारंगलिकुचनारिकेलवनाकुलान्। मल्लिकामालतीकुन्द यूथिकाकेतकीयुतान्

pūganāraṁgalikucanārikelavanākulān| mallikāmālatīkunda yūthikāketakīyutān

"surrounded by groves of areca, orange, likucha, and coconut, joined with jasmine, malati, kunda, yuthika, ketaki -"

Verse 52 (skanda.2.5.52)

करवीराब्जसंपन्नान्राजरंभाविराजितान्। मयूरकीरगरुडशुकसारससंकुलान्

karavīrābjasaṁpannānrājaraṁbhāvirājitān| mayūrakīragaruḍaśukasārasasaṁkulān

"abounding with karavira and lotus, graced with royal plantains, thronged with peacocks, parrots, garudas, and cranes -"

Verse 53 (skanda.2.5.53)

भृंगझंकारनिबिडानारामान्सुमनोहरान्। पश्यन्तीं परमं हर्षमवाप्य च नदीतटे

bhṛṁgajhaṁkāranibiḍānārāmānsumanoharān| paśyantīṁ paramaṁ harṣamavāpya ca nadītaṭe

"and dense with the humming of bees — beholding such most enchanting gardens, you will find supreme delight upon the riverbank."

Verse 54 (skanda.2.5.54)

गत्वा पूर्वोत्तरे मार्गे पुरीमिन्द्रपुरीसमाम्। गङ्गयेवावृतां नित्यं सरितारणिनामया

gatvā pūrvottare mārge purīmindrapurīsamām| gaṅgayevāvṛtāṁ nityaṁ saritāraṇināmayā

"Going by the northeastern path, you will see a city equal to Indra's own city, ever encircled, as if by the Ganga, by the river named Arani."

Verse 55 (skanda.2.5.55)

आकाशराजनगरीं गत्वा तत्रोचितं कुरु

ākāśarājanagarīṁ gatvā tatrocitaṁ kuru

"Having reached the city of King Akasha, do there what is fitting."

Verse 56 (skanda.2.5.56)

श्रीवराह उवाच। इत्यादिश्य सुराधीशः सखीं तां बकुलाभिधाम्। विसृज्य शयने शुभ्रे स शिश्ये श्रीसमन्वितः

śrīvarāha uvāca| ityādiśya surādhīśaḥ sakhīṁ tāṁ bakulābhidhām| visṛjya śayane śubhre sa śiśye śrīsamanvitaḥ

Sri Varaha said: Having thus instructed the companion named Bakula, the Lord of gods, dismissing her, lay down upon the white couch together with Sri.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.5.57)

प्रणम्य देवदेवेशं सखी बकुलमालिका। गुञ्जामणिसमाकारं रक्ताश्वमधिरुह्य सा

praṇamya devadeveśaṁ sakhī bakulamālikā| guñjāmaṇisamākāraṁ raktāśvamadhiruhya sā

Bowing to the Lord of Lords, the companion Bakulamalika, mounting a red horse the colour of the gunja seed -

Verse 58 (skanda.2.5.58)

यथोक्तमार्गेण ययौ पश्यन्ती विविधान्मृगान्। मत्तेभान्पर्वताकाराञ्छ्वेतदन्तविभूषितान्

yathoktamārgeṇa yayau paśyantī vividhānmṛgān| mattebhānparvatākārāñchvetadantavibhūṣitān

set out by the appointed path, beholding various wild creatures — rutting elephants, mountainous in size, adorned with white tusks -

Verse 59 (skanda.2.5.59)

करिणीयूथसहिताञ्जलदादानतत्परान्। सिंहाञ्छ्वे(?)तघनप्रख्यान्सिंहीयूथैरनुद्रुतान्

kariṇīyūthasahitāñjaladādānatatparān| siṁhāñchve(?)taghanaprakhyānsiṁhīyūthairanudrutān

with herds of female elephants, eager to draw water from the clouds; lions like white clouds, followed by troops of lionesses -

Verse 60 (skanda.2.5.60)

शार्दूलर्क्षांश्च खड्गांश्च शरभान्गवयान्मृगान्। कृष्णसारांश्च गोमायूञ्छशांश्च प्रियकानपि

śārdūlarkṣāṁśca khaḍgāṁśca śarabhāngavayānmṛgān| kṛṣṇasārāṁśca gomāyūñchaśāṁśca priyakānapi

tigers, bears, rhinoceroses, sharabhas, wild oxen, deer, blackbuck, jackals, hares, and priyaka deer too -

Verse 61 (skanda.2.5.61)

सारसांश्च मयूरांश्च मार्जारान्वनगोचरान्। वृकाञ्छुकान्सूकरांश्च सुवाचः पक्षिणस्तथा

sārasāṁśca mayūrāṁśca mārjārānvanagocarān| vṛkāñchukānsūkarāṁśca suvācaḥ pakṣiṇastathā

cranes, peacocks, wild cats, wolves, parrots, boars, and sweet-voiced birds -

Verse 62 (skanda.2.5.62)

पश्यन्ती विविधाकारांस्तुष्यन्ती च मुहुर्मुहुः। आससादारणीतीरं पश्चिमं पादपाकुलम्

paśyantī vividhākārāṁstuṣyantī ca muhurmuhuḥ| āsasādāraṇītīraṁ paścimaṁ pādapākulam

beholding these various creatures and rejoicing again and again, she reached the western bank of the Arani, thick with trees.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.5.63)

अवतीर्यारुणादश्वादगस्त्येशसमीपतः। दृष्ट्वागस्त्येश्वरं लिङ्गमगस्त्येन सुपूजितम्

avatīryāruṇādaśvādagastyeśasamīpataḥ| dṛṣṭvāgastyeśvaraṁ liṅgamagastyena supūjitam

There, dismounting from her red horse, near Agastyesha, beholding the linga well worshipped by Agastya -

Verse 64 (skanda.2.5.64)

तत्र स्नात्वा च पीत्वा च विशश्राम नदीतटे

tatra snātvā ca pītvā ca viśaśrāma nadītaṭe

bathing there, and drinking of the water, she rested upon the riverbank.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.5.65)

तत्रागता राजगृहाद्योषितो देवसंनिधौ। सखीः पद्मालयायास्ता दृष्ट्वा बकुलमालिका

tatrāgatā rājagṛhādyoṣito devasaṁnidhau| sakhīḥ padmālayāyāstā dṛṣṭvā bakulamālikā

There, seeing the women who had come from the royal palace, present in the presence of the deity, the companions of Padmalaya (Padmavati), Bakulamalika -

Verse 66 (skanda.2.5.66)

गत्वा समीपे तासां सा किंवदन्तीं स्म पृच्छति

gatvā samīpe tāsāṁ sā kiṁvadantīṁ sma pṛcchati

went up to them and inquired of the news among them.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.5.67)

बकुलमालिकोवाच। का यूयं योषितो ब्रूत विचित्राभरणस्रजः। कुतः समागता ह्यत्र किं कार्यं वोऽमलाननाः

bakulamālikovāca| kā yūyaṁ yoṣito brūta vicitrābharaṇasrajaḥ| kutaḥ samāgatā hyatra kiṁ kāryaṁ vo'malānanāḥ

Bakulamalika said: "Tell me, women adorned with wondrous ornaments and garlands, who are you? From where have you come here, O clear-faced ones? What is your errand?"

Verse 68 (skanda.2.5.68)

तास्तु तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा स्मितपूर्वमथाब्रुवन्। शृणुष्वावहिता देवि वयं वक्ष्यामहेऽधुना

tāstu tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā smitapūrvamathābruvan| śṛṇuṣvāvahitā devi vayaṁ vakṣyāmahe'dhunā

Hearing her words, they, smiling, said: "Listen attentively, O goddess; now we shall tell you."