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### Chaturtriṃśattamaṃ Parva
1. Param sundare tatra phalapuṣpabharānate |
Guñjabhramarasamghāte mattakokilanāditē ||
In that exceedingly beautiful forest, where the trees bow down under the weight of fruits and flowers, and where the humming of the bees echoes alongside the sounds of intoxicated cuckoos,
2. Kānane sītayā sākamagrajanmā sthitaḥ sukham |
Antikāṃ salilārthī tu lakṣmaṇaḥ sarasīṃ gataḥ ||
Rama was seated happily, and Lakṣmaṇa went to the nearby lake to fetch water.
3. Atrāntare surūpānyo netrataskara-vibhramaḥ |
Ekō'pi sarvalokasya hṛdayeṣu samaṃ vasan ||
During this moment, he who was extremely handsome, whose charm could steal anyone's heart, resided equally in the hearts of all beings.
4. Mahāvinayasampannaḥ kāntinirjharapārthataḥ |
Varavāraṇamārūḍhaś cārupādātamadhyagaḥ ||
He was a mountain of supreme humility, resembling the waterfall of beauty, and seated upon a magnificent elephant.
5. Tāmēva sarasī ramyā krīḍanāhitamanasaḥ |
Prāptaḥ kalyāṇamālākhyo janastannagarādhipaḥ ||
This very delightful lake, where the intent was to play, was attained by a person whose name was Kalyāṇamālā, the lord of that city.
6. Mahataḥ sarasastasya dṛṣṭvā taṃ tīravartinam |
Nīlotpalacayāśyāma lakṣmaṇaṃ cārulakṣaṇam ||
Upon seeing him at the bank of that grand lake, with a complexion as dark as the clusters of blue lotuses, Lakṣmaṇa possessed charming features.
7. Tāḍitaḥ kāmabāṇena sa jano'tyantamākulaḥ |
Manuṣyamabravīdēkamayānīyatām iti ||
Struck by the arrow of desire, that man became exceedingly distressed and said to one of his companions, "Bring this man here."
8. Gatvā kṛtvāñjalidakṣaḥ sa tamevamabhāṣata |
Ehyayaṃ rājaputraste prasādāt saṅgamicchati ||
Therefore, he went and, with folded hands, spoke thus to Lakṣmaṇa, “Come, this prince wishes to meet you out of goodwill.”
9. Ko doṣa iti saṃcintya dadhānaḥ kautukaṃ param |
Jagāma līlayā chāpi samīpaṃ tasya lakṣmaṇaḥ ||
Reflecting upon “What fault is there?” and filled with supreme curiosity, Lakṣmaṇa approached him playfully.
10. Uttīrya sa jano nāgāt padmatulyena pāṇinā |
Kare lakṣmaṇamālambya prāviśad gṛhamāmbaram ||
That person, rising from his seat, entered the tent, grasping Lakṣmaṇa’s hand as gently as a lotus.
11. Ekāsane ca tenātiprātītaḥ sahitaḥ sthitaḥ |
Apṛccacca sakhe kastvaṃ kuto vā samupāgataḥ ||
There, exceedingly trusting, he sat joyfully on the same seat with Lakṣmaṇa. After some time, he asked, "O friend! Who are you, and from where have you come?"
12. So'vocad viprayogān me jyeṣṭho duḥkhena tiṣṭhati |
Tāvannayāmi tasyānnaṃ kathayiṣyāmi te tataḥ ||
Lakṣmaṇa replied, “My elder brother must be suffering due to my absence, so I shall first take food to him and then share everything with you.”
13. Tataḥ śālyodanaḥ sūpa upadaṃśanavān ghṛtam |
Apūpā ghanabandhāni vyanānāni payo dadhi ||
Then, there were rice cooked with husked grains, soups, fresh ghee, various pastries, as well as milk, yogurt, various kinds of delightful dishes, sugar, and sweetened balls made of flour, puris, and kachoris.