Chapter Four — Moonlight Among Dark Clouds

The golden-complexioned beloved, clasped about Rama’s dark form, shone like a stream of gold pouring from a blue-black mountain. (7, completed)

Kācid ramā ramaṇīya-veṣā kāmāvaśād Rāma-mukhaṃ cucumba,
Mudā śarac-candramasaḥ sakāśāt sudhāṃ yayāce ca cakorikā kim. (8)

One beautifully adorned maiden, overcome by love, kissed Rama’s face. Was she a chakori joyfully begging nectar from the full autumn moon?

Navyāsu bhavyāyuta-savya-dakṣiṇe bhujau dadau cāru-gale priyāyāḥ,
Svarṇādri-madhye patitā yathācalā dhārā dvidhā bhūmi-Kalindajāyāḥ. (9)

Amid ten thousand lovely young companions to his right and left, Rama placed both arms around the beautiful neck of his beloved. They shone like the two moving streams of the Yamuna falling between mountains of gold.

Utphulla-tāpīccha-samaṃ sphurad-vapur nitambinī-madhyagataṃ śubha-pradam,
Vibhāti tan Manmatha-citta-mardanaṃ yathā taruḥ svarṇa-latābhir āvṛtaḥ. (10)

Standing among the graceful women, Rama’s auspicious, radiant body—dark like a fully opened peacock feather and able to humble even Kama—shone like a dark tree wrapped in golden vines.

Karābhijñā kare saṃjñāṃ viditvā kvacit kuñjagatā su-bālā,
Kāmākulā Rāma-mukhaṃ nirīkṣatī hriyā kiñcin na vadati. (11, continues)

One lovely maiden understood the secret sign made by Rama’s hand and entered a secluded bower. Gazing at his face, overwhelmed by love, she stood too shy to speak.