Chapter Four — Intimate Play in the Bowers

Having followed Rama’s hand-sign into a bower, the maiden gazed upon his face but, overcome by modesty, could say nothing. (11, completed)

Kācic ca bālā vimale nikuñje sukhena Rāmaṃ parirabhya sasmitā,
Nirīkṣatī cāru-mukhaṃ śriyāyutaṃ punaḥ punaś cumbati sādareṇa. (12)

In a pure and secluded bower, another maiden gently embraced Rama with a soft smile. Gazing upon his beautiful, radiant face, she kissed him again and again with loving reverence.

Kāntā-mukhaṃ vīkṣya Raghūttamena vihasya padmānanam ātmanaḥ tataḥ,
Punaḥ kathaṃ saṅkucitaṃ ca cumbane dṛṣṭvā śarac-candramasaḥ prakāśam. (13)

Rama smiled with his own lotus face, radiant as the autumn moon, and looked upon his beloved. Seeing her hesitate shyly to kiss him again, he wondered at her sweet reserve.

Varānanī varānanaṃ mudā virājate kadā kuhu-kṣapāntare kim udgatā sucandrikā,
Vidagdha-cāru-nāgara-vratau rasa-priyau kvacid yathā navīna-nīradaiḥ samācitau su-bhūdharau. (14, continues)

The moon-faced beloved shone beside her noble lover. Was she lovely moonlight rising within the dense darkness of the rainy season? The refined and graceful pair, devoted to the vow of rasa, resembled golden heights enclosed by fresh rainclouds.