बकुलानां वञ्जुलानामशोकानां च काननम् । मल्लिकानां पलाशानां शिरीषाणां तथैव च
He went around the forest of bakula, vañjulā, aśoka, mallikā, palāśa, and śirīṣa trees.
धात्रीणां काञ्चनानां च कर्णिकानां वनं तथा । नागेश्वराणां विपिनं लवङ्गानां तथैव च
He also passed through the groves of dhātrī, kāñcana, karṇikāra, nāgeśvara, and lavaṅga trees.
वनं च शालतालानां हिन्तालानां वनं तथा । पनसानां रसालानां लाङ्गलीनां मनोहरम्
He entered the charming forests of śāla, tāla, hintāla, panas, rasāla, and lāṅgalī trees.
मन्दारकाननं रम्यं वामं कृत्वा च सत्वरम् । दृष्ट्वा कुन्दवनं रम्यं संप्राप्य मधुकाननम्
Quickly keeping the delightful mandāra forest to his left, and seeing the lovely grove of kunda, he reached the beautiful madhūka forest.
पुंस्कोकिलानां शब्देन मधुरेण समन्वितम् । मधुव्रतसमूहानां मधुरध्वनिबूरितम्
The place was filled with the sweet sounds of male cuckoos and the melodious humming of swarms of bees.
वन्यवृक्षैः परिवृतं माध्वीकाधारमीप्सितम् । वातेन वन्यबुष्पाणां वरितः सुरभीकृतम्
Surrounded by wild trees, desired as a source of honey, and perfumed by the wind carrying the fragrance of wild blossoms, the place was enchanting.
तद्दृष्ट्वा राजमार्गेण यशोदोक्तेन सांप्रतम् । ययौ शीघ्रं निरुद्विग्निं रहस्यं बदरीवनम्
Seeing that, and following the royal road as instructed by Yaśodā, he quickly and calmly went to the secret badarī grove.
श्रीफलानां च निम्बार्नां नारिङ्गाणां वनं तथा । पद्मानां करवीराणां तुलसीनां च काननम्
He saw the groves of śrīphala, nimbā, nāriṅga, padma, karavīra, and tulasī plants.
दृष्टवा रक्तिमवर्णं च सुपक्वफलमीप्सितम् । तदेव वामतः कृत्वा विवेश कदलीवनम्
He saw the reddish, well-ripened fruits he desired, and keeping that to his left, he entered the banana grove.
अतीव निर्जने रम्ये ददर्श राधिकाश्रमम् । मणीन्द्राणां च प्राकारं परिखादुर्गवेष्टितम्
In a very beautiful and secluded place, he saw Rādhikā's hermitage, surrounded by a wall of precious gems and protected by a moat.
अत्यगम्यं रिपूणां च मित्राणां सुगमं सुखम् । गोप्यं संकेतमार्गं च रक्षकैः परिरक्षितम्
It was inaccessible to enemies, but easy and pleasant for friends; the secret path for meeting was guarded by protectors.
नानाचित्रविचित्राढ्यं निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा । मणीन्द्रमुक्तामाणिक्यहीरहारोज्ज्वलं परम्
It was adorned with various marvelous decorations, constructed by Viśvakarman, and shone with necklaces of gems, pearls, rubies, and gold.
रत्नेन्द्रसाररचितं रत्नस्तम्भैः सुशोभितम् । रत्नसोपानसंसक्तमन्दिरेण मनोहरम्
Made from the finest jewels, graced with jewel pillars, and connected to a charming palace with jewel stairways.
अमूल्यरत्नखचितं कलशैः परिशोभितम् । वाह्निशुद्धांशुकाभिश्च पताकाभिः परिष्कृतम्
Inlaid with priceless gems, adorned with auspicious pots, and decorated with banners of pure silk cleansed by fire.
सद्रत्नदर्पणोत्कृष्टं चर्चितं श्वेतचामरैः । ददर्श सिंहद्वारं च युक्तं रत्नकपाटकैः
Enhanced by excellent jewel mirrors, fanned with white chowries, he saw the lion-gate fitted with gem-studded doors.
द्वारोपरि विचित्रं च रम्यं वृन्दावनं वनम् । कदम्बकाननं रम्यं तद्वास्त्रहरणादिकम्
Above the gate was a wondrous and delightful Vṛndāvana forest, with a beautiful grove of kadamba trees, the place of the stealing of garments and other pastimes.
विश्वकर्मविरचितं सुरम्यं रासमण्डलम् । नानारत्नकुटीरं च गोपगोपीसमन्वितम्
The beautiful circle of the rāsa, fashioned by Viśvakarman, adorned with various jeweled pavilions, filled with cowherds and cowherd women.
रक्षितं गोपिकालक्षैर्वेत्रहस्तैर्मनोहरैः । स्वच्छन्दाचरणैः शश्वदमितैर्बलिभिर्मुदा
Guarded by countless gopīs, charming in hand with staffs, moving freely and always joyfully, unwavering in their devotion.
तद्द्वारं पुरतो दृष्ट्वा विलङ्क्य च जगाम् सः । द्वितीयं द्वारमुल्लङ्घ्य तस्मादुत्तममीप्सितम्
Seeing that entrance before him and passing by, he went on, crossing over the second gate, seeking the most excellent one beyond.
द्वारं चतुर्थं संप्राप्य सर्वस्माच्च विलक्षणम् । तत्पश्चात्पञ्चमं द्वारं ददर्श चित्रमुत्तमम्
Reaching the fourth gate, distinct from all the others, he then beheld the fifth gate, wondrous and most exquisite.
द्वारषट्कं च प्रययौ सर्वत्र रुचिरं परम् । रामरावणयोर्युद्धं भित्तिचित्रं मनोहरम्
He passed through six gates, all supremely splendid; on the walls were enchanting paintings of the battle between Rāma and Rāvaṇa.
दशावतारं विष्णोश्च कृत्रिमं रासमण्डलम् । यमुनाजलकेलिं च रचितां विश्वकर्मणा
There were artistic depictions of Viṣṇu’s ten incarnations, the rāsa circle, and the Yamunā’s water-sports, all crafted by Viśvakarman.
गोपिकानां सहस्रेणा षष्ठं द्वारं च रक्षितम् । रत्नेन्द्रसारनिर्माणभूषणैर्भूषितेन च
The sixth gate was guarded by a thousand gopīs, adorned with ornaments made from the finest jewels and precious stones.
सद्रत्नदण़्डहस्तेन हीरकैर्भूषितेन च । मणीन्द्रमुक्तामाणिक्यहीरहारान्वितेन च
Holding staffs set with excellent gems, adorned with diamonds, and wearing necklaces of the finest jewels, pearls, rubies, and diamonds.
माधवी तत्प्रधाना सा पप्रच्छ सांप्रतं शिवम् । ददौ प्रत्युत्तरं सर्वं क्रमेण च स उद्धवः
Mādhavī, their chief, at that moment questioned him gently; Uddhava gave her a full reply, step by step.
गत्वा विज्ञापयामास राधाप्रियसखीगणम् । सा माधवी महाहृष्टा तत्र संस्थाप्य तं मुदा
Going forth, Mādhavī informed the group of Rādhā’s dear companions; overjoyed, she brought him there and seated him with delight.
श्रुत्वा मङ्गलवार्तां च राधाप्रियसखीगणैः । कृत्वा शङ्खध्वनिं घण्टामृदङ्गपटहस्वनम्
Hearing the auspicious news from Rādhā’s beloved friends, they sounded conches, bells, drums, and mṛdaṅgas.
कृत्वा निर्मञ्छनं शीघ्रमुद्धवं प्रियमागतम् । हृष्टा प्रवेशयामास राधाभ्यन्तरमुत्तमम्
Quickly performing the ceremonial welcome, they joyfully ushered Uddhava, their dear guest, into Rādhā’s most splendid inner chamber.
अमूल्यरत्ननिर्माणं गत्वा मन्दिरमुत्तमम् । ददर्श पुरतो राधां कुह्वा चन्द्रकलोपमाम्
Entering the magnificent palace, fashioned from priceless jewels, he saw Rādhā before him, faintly smiling, resembling the crescent moon.
सुपक्वपद्मनेत्रां च शयानां शोकमूर्च्छिताम् । रुदतीं रक्तवदनां विल्ष्टां च त्यक्तभूषणाम्
Her eyes like fully blossomed lotuses, she lay there, unconscious from sorrow, weeping, her face flushed, disheveled, and bereft of ornaments.