Sri Vāsista

1. -2. O Rama, the moon of the sky of Raghu dynasty, I heard this conversation between the two on that night.  Then I descended onto the tree top like a cloud on to the peak of a mountain.

3. There I saw the brightly shining Dāsura of great ability to vanquish the senses and one who was engaged in penance for the Absolute.

4. The effulgence from his body, was making the earth shining like gold.  The place was lighted up with glow like sun shining on the earth.

5. -6. Dāsura  saw me and received me respectfully.  After appropriate worship by him, I told them several stories about the ways of crossing the ocean of samsāra.

7. -12. Then I surveyed the great ‘Kadamba’ tree.  It had a nice hollow framed by flower buds on the northern side.  With the freedom provided by Dāsura, many forest animals were taking refuge under the tree.  The tree was full of creepers which enhanced its beauty, with all the flowers blown over like a cover on the canopy.  It was like the tree smiling.  The ‘chamara’ animals, jumping over at the edges of the branches looked like the second moons.  They covered the tree like the autumn clouds spreading across the sky.
   The dew drops on the leaves shone like pearl garlands.  All parts and limbs of that tree were laden with flowers.  The tender leaves were so spread, that the tree appeared to be smeared with a blood-red paint.  The tree appeared to be lady dressed up by the citizens like a bride.

13. -18. The tree looked like a row of cottages of the sages with its many arbors like formations.  The creepers were like flags hoisted at the time of a festival.  The ground underneath it was spread with flowers which dropped when the branches were shaken by fighting animals.  Peacocks which were jumping and parading around were laden with red and white flower pollen.  With their size they looked like little mounds moving around.  The tree looked like a voluptuous woman with its flowers reminding one of sensuous, alluring smile.  The follicles of the flowers were like hairs standing on edge due to thrill and tingle of sensuous ecstasy.  The buds were like the eyes of a person sleeping  with the arbors, the tree appeared like a lady eagerly looking through the windows (for the beloved).

19. -24. The tree was beautiful with swing-like formations of creepers laden with blue flowers.  The creepers with their flowers and jhumoning bees appeared like a group of forest goddesses intently listening to the cooing of the koyals.  The tree covered by fog looked like a lady resting after intense love-making, getting relieved of the pain.  There were bees humming in the palace-like flower formations engaging themselves in love play.  The moon-beams were sliding along the tender leaves and branches giving the impression of a flowing robe over the tree.

25. -30. The tree was like a humble and radiant son of the forest goddess.  Many animals were safely couching inside the leaf –bunches.  Due to the grace of Dāsura, many birds were happily resting in their nests.  That tree was spreading its fragrance issuing out from the flowers of the creepers hanging down from the branches.  There was no place free from being a resting place or being a residence of some bird of animal.  Even the leaves that dropped to the ground provided a bed for some one.

31. When I looked at such a great distinguished tree, I felt I was witnessing a great festival during that night.

32. -36. Then I enlightened that son of Dāsura with my spiritual and philosophical stories.  The night passed off in a trice.  It was like the time sense of lovers in embrace.  As the night broke off, I rose to leave.  Dāsura and his son saw me off till some distance in the sky.  After bathing in the celestial Ganga, I returned to my heritage – along the sky route.

37. -39.  O son of Raghu dynasty, the story of Dāsura which I narrated to you is like a reflection of the world.  Though sounding real, it is all full of unreality.  I told you this story to establish that this world is similar to this story.  And so, you discard all unsubstantial untruth.  Become a wise person following the tenets of Dāsura and abide in the Self.

40. O Rāma, you shall become a workshippable person in the fourteen worlds if you can perceive and absorb the nature of self by washing off the filth of ignorance which deforms your mind.