Chapter Four — The Rasa Celebration

Tābhiḥ parama-harṣeṇa ramate Raghunandanaḥ,
Yathā pūrṇa-śaśī tārā-veṣṭito bhāti nirmalaḥ. (29)

Raghunandana delighted with them in supreme happiness. Surrounded by those radiant companions, he shone like the stainless full moon encircled by stars.

Evaṃ priyāḥ prayatnena prāpya Rāma-rasotsavam,
Na tyajanti priyaṃ kāntaṃ tathā raṅko lalāmakam. (30)

Having at last attained the festival of Rama’s divine love through devoted effort, the beloved companions would not leave their cherished lover—just as a pauper who has found a priceless jewel will never let it go.

Bhajāmi Sarayū-tīram āśritaṃ Raghunandanam,
Sītā-saha-mahārāsa-rasikaṃ naṭinaṃ Harim. (31)

I worship Raghunandana, who dwells upon the bank of the Sarayu: Hari, the consummate dancer and connoisseur of the great rāsa celebrated with Sita.

Smarāveśākulaṃ cittaṃ nāṭya-gītot-sukaṃ param,
Ananta-sakhībhir yuktaṃ Rāmacandraṃ bhajāmy aham. (32)

I worship Ramachandra, whose heart is stirred by the ecstasy of love, who delights supremely in dance and song, and who is surrounded by countless companions.