आसां च वचनं श्रुत्वा तथाऽस्त्वेवमुवाच ह
Hearing their words, he replied, 'So be it.'
क्रीडापद्मं राधिकायै सहस्रदलसंयुतम्
He gave to Rādhikā a play-lotus adorned with a thousand petals.
मालासमूहं पुष्पाणि गोपीभ्यो गोपिकापतिः
The lord of the gopīs gave garlands and flowers to the cowherd girls.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच रासमण्डलरम्ये च वृन्दारण्ये करिष्यथ
Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: In the delightful circle of the rāsa, in Vṛndāvana, you shall perform (your play).
यथाऽहं च तथा यूयं नाहं भेदः श्रुतौ श्रुतः
Just as I am, so are you; in the scriptures, no difference between us is taught.
व्रतं वो लोकरक्षार्थं न हि स्वार्थमिदं प्रियाः
This vow of yours is for the protection of the world, not for your own sake, dear ones.
इत्युक्त्वा श्रीहरिस्तत्र तस्थौ सूर्यसुतातटे 4.27.
Having spoken thus, Śrī Hari remained there, on the bank of the daughter of the Sun.
सर्वाः प्रहृष्टवदनाः सस्मिता वक्रलोचनाः
All of them, faces beaming with joy, smiling, with charming, curved eyes.
ताः शीघ्रं प्रययुर्गेहं जयं दत्त्वा पुनःपुनः
They quickly went home, again and again offering their salutations.
इत्येवं कथितं सर्वं हरेश्चरितमङ्गलम्
Thus, all the auspicious deeds of Hari have been told.
नारद उवाच वद केन प्रकारेण बभूव तनुसंगमः
Narada said: Tell me, by what manner did the union of bodies take place?
वृन्दावनं किंप्रकारं किंविधं रासमण्डलम्
How was Vrindavana, and what was the nature of the rasa circle?
कुतूहलं भवति मे इदं श्रोतुं नवं नवम्
I feel a constant curiosity to hear this, ever new and ever fresh.
कथा पुराणसाराणां रासयात्रा हरेरहो
O, the rasa festival of Hari is the essence of ancient stories.
सूत उवाच प्रहस्य सुप्रसन्नास्यः प्रवक्तुमुपचक्रमे
Suta said: Smiling, with a radiant and cheerful face, he began to speak.
श्रीनारायण उवाच शुभे शुक्लत्रयोदश्यां पूर्णे चन्द्रोदये मुने
Sri Narayana said: O sage, on the auspicious thirteenth day of the bright fortnight, when the full moon had risen,
यूथिकामालतीकुन्दमाधवीपुष्पवायुना
With the breeze carrying the fragrance of yuthika, malati, kunda, and madhavi flowers,
नवपल्लवसंयुक्तं पुंस्कोकिलरुतश्रुतम्
Adorned with fresh leaves and filled with the sound of male cuckoos,
चन्दनागुरुकस्तूरीकुंकुमेन सुवासितम्
Perfumed with sandalwood, agarwood, musk, and saffron,
प्रसूनैश्चम्पकानां च कस्तूरीचन्दनान्वितैः 4.28.
With flowers of champaka, combined with musk and sandalwood,
दीप्तं रत्नप्रदीपैश्च धूपेन सुरभीकृतम्
Illuminated by shining gem lamps and made fragrant with incense,
परितो वर्तुलाकारं तत्रैव रासमण्डलम्
All around, in a circular form, was the rasa circle itself.
पुष्पोद्यानैः पुष्पितैश्च युक्तक्रीडासरोवरैः
With blooming flower gardens and playful lakes adorned with blossoms,
क्रीडनीयैः सुन्दरैश्च सुरतश्रमहारिभिः
With beautiful playthings that dispelled the fatigue of amorous sport,
दधिपूर्णशुक्लधान्यजलैर्निर्मञ्छनीकृतम्
Decorated with vessels filled with curd, white grains, and water for purification,
आम्रपल्लवयुक्तेन सूत्रबन्धेन चारुणा
With charming thread garlands tied with mango leaves,
मालतीमाल्यसंयुक्तैर्नारिकेलफलान्वितैः
Adorned with garlands of malati and accompanied by coconut fruits,
चकार तत्र कुतुकाद्विनोदमुरलीरवम्
There, out of delight, he played the flute for amusement.
तच्छ्रुत्वा राधिका सद्यो मुमोह मदनातुरा
Hearing that, Rādhikā at once fainted, overcome by the fever of love.
क्षणेन चेतनां प्राप्य पुनः शुश्राव सा ध्वनिम् 4.28.
Regaining consciousness after a moment, she again heard that sound.