Chapter Five — The Forest Groves and Musicians

Saptasvarān mukhenaiva dhṛtvā sā Sukhadā Satī,
Khañjanākṣī kare dhṛtvā khañjarī Rasamañjarī. (56)

Sukhada and Sati produce the seven notes with their voices. Khanjanakshi holds the khanjari hand-drum, while Rasamanjari accompanies her in the music of rasa.

Gānakalā-kare nītvā mṛdaṅgaṃ Madhurasvaram,
Sāraṅgalocanī sāraṅgī vādayaty ati-harṣitā. (57)

Ganakala takes up the mṛdaṅga and Madhurasvara gives it a sweet voice, while the delighted Sarangalocani plays the sarangi.

Sukhadāminī Sukhasparśā Sukha-maṇḍala-maṇḍitā,
Sarvāḥ sarva-rasābhijñāḥ Śrīrāmāṅgita-rādhikāḥ. (58)

Sukhadamini, Sukhasparsha, and all the others adorn that circle of bliss. Each understands every mode of rasa and serves according to Sri Rama’s slightest gesture.

Varāṭake keśa-varāṭakānvite mahāmaṇīndrādbhuta-cāru-maṇḍape,
Somārka-vahny-ati-koṭi-vardhake cintāmaṇi-śrīta-vimohakārake. (59, continues)

Within an astonishingly beautiful pavilion built of the greatest jewels stands a subtle chamber radiant with wish-fulfilling gems. Its brilliance exceeds that of millions of moons, suns, and fires, leaving the mind spellbound.