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.
त्यक्त्वा चावश्यकं कर्म निःससार द्रुतं गृहात्
Abandoning her necessary duties, she quickly rushed out of the house.
ध्यायन्ती चरणाम्भोजं श्रीकृष्णस्य महात्मनः
Meditating on the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the great soul,
बहिर्बभूवुस्तास्त्रस्ता वरेण हृतचेतनाः
Those companions, their minds stolen by the best, also went out, trembling.
त्रयस्त्रिंशद्वयस्याश्च ताः सुशीलादयः स्मृताः
Among them, the virtuous ones known as the thirty-two groups departed.
तासां पश्चाद्ययुर्गोप्यस्तासां संख्या निबोध मे
After them came the other gopīs; listen as I tell you their number.
ययुः सुशीलासंगेन सहस्राणि च षोडश
Sixteen thousand went along with Suśīlā and her group.
एकादशसहस्राणि माधव्याल्यश्च निर्ययुः
Eleven thousand Mādhavyās also set out.
ययुः कुन्तीवयस्याश्च सहस्राणि दश स्मृताः
Ten thousand Kuntī’s companions are said to have gone.
जाह्नवीसहचारिण्यः सहस्राणि ययुर्नव
Nine thousand companions of Jāhnavī departed.
सावित्र्याल्यः पंचदश सहस्राणि ययुर्व्रजात् 4.28.
Fifteen thousand companions of Sāvitrī left Vraja.