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.
निश्चेष्टां च निराहारां सुवर्णवर्णकुण्डलाम् । शुष्किताधरकण्ठां च किंचिन्निः श्वाससंयुताम्
Motionless and fasting, adorned with golden earrings, her lips and throat parched, breathing only faintly.
प्रणनाम च तां दृष्ट्वा भक्तिनम्रात्मकंधरः । पुलकाञ्चितसर्वाङ्गो भक्त्या भक्तः स उद्धवः
Seeing her, Uddhava bowed, his head humbly lowered in devotion, his whole body thrilled with goosebumps, the devotee worshipping with devotion.
उद्धव उवाच वन्दे राधापदाम्भोजं ब्रह्मादिसुरविन्दतम् । यत्कीर्तिः कीर्तनेनैव पुनाति भुवनत्रयम्
Uddhava said: I bow to Rādhā’s lotus feet, worshipped by Brahmā and the other gods; whose fame, by mere recitation, purifies the three worlds.
नमो गोकुलवासिन्यै राधिकायै नमो नमः । शतशृङ्गनिवासिन्यै चन्द्रावत्यै नo
Salutations to Rādhikā, who dwells in Gokula; again and again I bow. Salutations to her who resides on the hundred-peaked mountain, to Candrāvatī, I bow.
तुलसीवनवासिन्य वृन्दारण्यै नo । रासमण्डलवासिन्यै रासेश्वर्यै नo
Salutation to the one dwelling in the grove of tulasi, to Vrinda of the forest; salutation to the one residing in the circle of the rasa dance, to the queen of the rasa.
विरजातीरवासिन्यै वृन्दायै च नo । वृन्दावनविलासिन्यै कृष्णायै च नo
Salutation to the one dwelling on the bank of the Viraja river, to Vrinda; salutation to the one delighting in Vrindavana, to Krishna.
नमः कृष्णप्रियायै च शान्तायै च नo । कृष्णवक्षःस्थितायै च तत्पियायै नo
Salutation to the beloved of Krishna, and to the peaceful one; salutation to the one abiding on Krishna's chest, to his dear one.
नमो वैकुण्ठवासिन्यै महालक्ष्म्यै नo । विद्याधिष्ठातृदेव्यै च सरस्वत्यै नo
Salutation to the one residing in Vaikuntha, to Mahalakshmi; salutation to the goddess presiding over knowledge, to Sarasvati.
सर्वैश्वर्याधिदेव्यै च कमलायै नo । पद्मनाभप्रियायै च पद्मायै च नo
Salutation to the goddess who is the ruler of all prosperity, to Kamala; salutation to the beloved of Padmanabha, to Padma.
महाविष्णोश्च मात्रे च पराद्यायै नo । नमः सिन्धुसुतायै च मर्त्यलक्ष्मयै नo
Salutation to the mother of Mahavishnu, to the supreme origin; salutation to the daughter of the ocean, to the mortal Lakshmi.