जलनिर्झरसंह्रादं नानाधातुकभूतलम् । गैरिकादिकसद्धातु लाक्षारंगविराजितम्
Its ground was resounding with the roar of waterfalls, composed of various minerals, and shining with ochre and other bright substances, as well as with lac-red hues.
यत्र सिद्धांगनाः सिद्धैः संक्रीडंत्यकुतोभयाः । गंधर्वाप्सरसो नागा यत्र क्रीडंति लीलया
There, perfected women play without fear together with the perfected beings; there, Gandharvas, Apsarases, and Nagas sport at their leisure.
गंगातरंगसंस्पर्श शीतवायुनिषेवितम् । वीणारणद्धंसशुकक्वणसुंदरशोभितम्
Bathed by the touch of Ganga's waves and cooled by gentle breezes, it was beautified by the melodious sounds of veenas, swans, and parrots.
पर्वतं वीक्ष्य शत्रुघ्न उवाच सुमतिं त्विदम् । तद्दर्शनसमुद्भूत विस्मयाविष्टमानसः
Seeing the mountain, Shatrughna, his mind filled with wonder at the sight, spoke these words to Sumati.
कोऽयं महागिरिवरो विस्मापयति मे मनः । महारजतसत्प्रस्थो मार्गे राजति मेऽद्भुतः
What is this great and excellent mountain that amazes my mind, shining on my path with vast silver plateaus, wondrous to behold?
अत्र किं देवतावासो देवानां क्रीडनस्थलम् । यदेतन्मनसः क्षोभं करोति श्रीसमुच्चयैः
Is this the abode of deities, or a playground of the gods, since it stirs my mind with its abundance of splendor?
इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य जगाद सुमतिस्तदा । वक्ष्यमाणगुणागार रामचंद्र पदाब्जधीः
Hearing these words, Sumati then spoke, his mind fixed on the lotus feet of Ramachandra, the abode of virtues he was about to describe.
नीलोऽयं पर्वतो राजन्पुरतो भाति भूमिप । मनोहरैर्महाशृङ्गैः स्फाटिकाग्रैः समंततः
O King, this is the Nila mountain shining before you, adorned all around with enchanting great peaks tipped with crystal.
एनं पश्यंति नो पापाः परदाररता नराः । विष्णोर्गुणगणान्ये वै न मन्यंते नराधमाः
Those sinful men who delight in other men's wives, or the lowest of men who do not honor the virtues of Vishnu, do not see this mountain.
श्रुतिस्मृतिसमुत्थं ये धर्मं सद्भिः सुसाधितम् । न मन्यंते स्वबुद्धिस्थ हेतुवादविचारणाः
Those who, relying on their own reasoning and arguments, do not accept the dharma established by the good and arising from the scriptures and tradition, are the same.
नीलीविक्रयकर्तारो लाक्षाविक्रयकारकाः । यो ब्राह्मणो घृतादीनि विक्रीणाति सुरापकः
Those who trade in indigo or lac, or the Brahmin who sells ghee and the like, or who brews liquor, are also such men.
कन्यां रूपेण संपन्नां न दद्यात्कुलशीलिने । विक्रीणाति द्रव्यलोभात्पिता पापेन मोहितः
A father, deluded by sin and greedy for wealth, should not give his beautiful daughter to a worthy family if he sells her for a price.
पत्नीं दूषयते यस्तु कुलशीलवतीं नरः । स्वयमेवात्ति मधुरं बंधुभ्यो न ददाति यः
A man who defiles a virtuous wife from a good family, or who eats sweet food himself and does not give it to his relatives—
भोजने ब्राह्मणार्थे च पाकभेदं करोति यः । कृसरं पायसं वापि नार्थिनं दापयेत्कुधीः
Or who makes a distinction in cooking for the sake of a Brahmin, or who, though having rice cooked with milk or porridge, does not give it to one who asks—such a person is of evil mind.
अतिथीनवमन्यंते सूर्यतापादितापितान् । अंतरिक्षभुजो ये च ये च विश्वासघातकाः
Those who disrespect guests scorched by the sun, those whose arms are raised in the sky, and those who betray trust—
न पश्यंति महाराज रघुनाथ पराङ्मुखाः । असौ पुण्यो गिरिवरः पुरुषोत्तम शोभितः
O great king Raghunātha, those who turn away do not see this sacred and splendid mountain, adorned by the best of men.
पवित्रयति सर्वान्नो दर्शनेन मनोहरः । अत्र तिष्ठति देवानां मुकुटैरर्चितांघ्रिकः
Charming to behold, it purifies all by its sight; here stands the one whose feet are worshipped by the crowns of the gods.
पुण्यवद्भिर्दर्शनार्हः पुण्यदः पुरुषोत्तमः । श्रुतयो नेतिनेतीति ब्रुवाणा न विदंति यम्
Worthy of being seen by the virtuous, the bestower of merit, the Supreme Person—whom the Vedas declare as 'not this, not this,' yet do not know.
यत्पादरज इंद्रादिदेवैर्मृग्यं सुदुर्ल्लभम् । वेदांतादिभिरन्यूनैर्वाक्यैर्विदंति यं बुधाः
The dust of whose feet is sought by Indra and other gods, yet is extremely rare; whom the wise know through the statements of the Upanishads and other flawless texts.
सोऽत्र श्रीमान्नीलशैले वसते पुरुषोत्तमः । आरुह्य तं नमस्कृत्य संपूज्य सुकृतादिना
Here, on this splendid Blue Mountain, dwells the Supreme Person; ascending it, offering obeisance and worship with good deeds—
नैवेद्यं भक्षयित्वा वै भूप भूयाच्चतुर्भुजः । अत्राप्युदाहरंतीममितिहासं पुरातनम्
After eating the sacred offering, O king, one attains four arms; here too they recite an ancient legend.
तं शृणुष्व महाराज सर्वाश्चर्यसमन्वितम् । रत्नग्रीवस्य नृपतेर्यद्वृत्तं सकुटुंबिनः
Hear, O great king, the wondrous story of King Ratnagrīva and his family, filled with all marvels.
चतुर्भुजादिकं प्राप्तं देवदानवदुर्लभम् । आसीत्कांची महाराज पुरी लोकेषु विश्रुता
He attained the four-armed form, difficult for gods and demons to obtain; there was a city called Kāñcī, renowned among the worlds.
महाजनपरीवारसमृद्धबलवाहना । यस्यां वसंति विप्राग्र्याः षट्कर्मनिरता भृशम्
Abundant in great people, with powerful armies and vehicles; in which excellent Brahmins dwelt, devoted to the six duties.
सर्वभूतहिते युक्ता रामभक्तिषु लालसाः । क्षत्रिया रणकर्तारः संग्रामेऽप्यपलायिनः
Engaged in the welfare of all beings, eager in devotion to Rāma; Kṣatriyas were warriors who did not flee even in battle.
परदार परद्रव्य परद्रोहपराङ्मुखाः । वैश्याः कुसीदकृष्यादिवाणिज्यशुभवृत्तयः
They turned away from others' wives, others' wealth, and harming others; the Vaiśyas engaged in lending, farming, and honest trade.
कुर्वन्ति रघुनाथस्य पदाम्भोजे रतिं सदा । शूद्रा ब्राह्मणसेवाभिर्गतरात्रिदिनान्तराः
They always cultivated love for the lotus feet of Raghunātha; the Śūdras, serving the Brahmins, passed their days and nights without interruption.
कुर्वंति कथनं रामरामेति रसनाग्रतः । प्राकृताः केऽपि नो पापं कुर्वंति मनसात्र वै
They constantly uttered 'Rāma, Rāma' with the tips of their tongues; even the common people here did not commit sin in thought.
दानं दया दमः सत्यं तत्र तिष्ठंति नित्यशः । वदते न पराबाधं वाक्यं कोऽपि नरोऽनघः
Charity, compassion, self-control, and truth always prevailed there; no one ever spoke words that harmed another, O sinless one.
न पारक्ये धने लोभं कुर्वंति न हि पातकम् । एवं प्रजा महाराज रत्नग्रीवेण पाल्यते
They did not covet others' wealth, nor did they commit evil; thus were the people protected by King Ratnagrīva, O great king.