Chapter Four — The Dance of Sita and Rama

Rama’s body shone darkly, with the lovely radiance of a fresh raincloud. On his left he held Janaka’s daughter, who gleamed like a motionless vine of lightning against that cloud. (17, completed)

Lasal-lalita-nīrada-dyuti-dalad-vapuḥ śyāmalaṃ
Dadhat susthira-taḍil-latāṃ Janaka-nandinīṃ vāmataḥ. (18)

Dark as a newly opened raincloud and radiant with gentle beauty, Rama bore Janaka’s daughter at his left like a steady streak of lightning.

Kalita-kamala-kautukaṃ nija-janasya sañjīvanaṃ
Harat-hara-ripor mano rasika-mauli-mālaṃ bhaje. (19)

I worship the crown-garland of connoisseurs of divine love: he playfully holds a lotus, restores life to his own devotees, and steals even the mind of Love—the adversary of Hara.

Rāmasya vāme dakṣe ca rājate matta-kāminī,
Yathā sūtrair marakataṃ veṣṭitaṃ puraṭaṃ bahiḥ. (20)

Love-intoxicated women shone on Rama’s left and right, like an emerald set about and enclosed in gleaming gold.

Mṛdaṅga-muralī-vīṇā-paṇavānaka-jharjharān,
Vādayanti prayatnena nānā-yantrāś ca nārikāḥ. (21, continues)

The women carefully played mṛdaṅgas, flutes, vīṇās, small drums, kettledrums, cymbals, and many other instruments.