The Groom’s Nahchhu — Pada 64
“Honored guest, please show mercy and give me your lotus feet for a moment, so that I may gain the blessed sight of trimming those lovely nails. The daughter of my mistress has become the supremely blessed Siya; by her grace I have remained content in body and soul.
“If my blade should hurt, please do not retain any anger in your heart. This barber-woman has come here naturally—she has attended Sri Siya since childhood. You are fair and your beloved is dark: the whole city talks of it! Everyone asks how this can be; my heart grows shy even to speak.
“For the nahchhu fee, my lord, be merciful and give me generously; and let me return with the barber and drink in joyful company.”
Pada 65
Clutching his lotus feet, the barber-woman makes a stubborn demand: “O Raghu’s Lord, give me my gift before I perform the nahchhu! I do not want a sari, bangles, or a ring; nor do I want gold as my farewell gift.
“Shanta gained great happiness with Rishyasringa; what I want now is a marriage alliance with the barber! Great Dasharatha has three chief queens, but the barber has not even one—there is no remedy for him!”
Thus, says Sneh Lata, the clever barber-woman makes her demand; “O four brothers, consider it well within your hearts!”
Pada 66
A golden nail-cutter rests in the barber-woman’s hand as she gazes upon the bridegroom Rama’s face. “Why are two bridegrooms dark and two bridegrooms fair? Trim the nails, barber-woman, trim the nails—but do not cut a finger! Why are two of your bridegrooms dark, and why are two fair?”