Chapter Seven: Literature of the Rasika Tradition
The cited passage concludes:
Embracing Sita as she uttered exceedingly lovely words, Rama, whose desires are wholly fulfilled, delighted in her there. No Rama such as this exists anywhere in the three worlds; no one has enjoyed, does enjoy, or ever will enjoy such a beloved.
—Mahānāṭaka, Act 2, verse 60
2. Prasanna-rāghava
This seven-act drama was composed by the poet Jayadeva, also known as Mahamahopadhyaya Pakshadhara Mishra. It was probably written in the twelfth or thirteenth century. Its second act portrays Rama and Sita’s meeting and awakening love at the temple of Chandika in a most enchanting style.
Sri Ramachandra suddenly sees Jānaki in the garden and, overwhelmed with wonder, asks:
Who is this lovely woman, appearing like a golden line drawn upon sapphire, her limbs as fair as the tender inner shoot of a golden plantain, streaming radiance like turmeric-tinted water—a lamp upon the upper terrace of the pleasure-palace of Love?1
Rama says:
Moon-faced one, the flower-bowed god took your body for his bow and grasped the slender middle of your vine-like form in his fist. The three finger-joint lines left there in the guise of your three abdominal folds now shine like a seal for subjugating the three worlds.2
Sita casts a playful sidelong glance at Rama. Seeing the way she looks upon him, Rama says:
The entire wealth of new youth, the dwelling of pleasure, the good fortune of the eyes, the dignity of passion, the essence of the world, the fruit of birth, the flower-bowed god’s intention, Rama’s heart, the truth of love, and the secret of śṛṅgāra—such is the glance of that lotus-eyed woman.3
The whole of the second act is thus filled with Rama and Sita’s mutual attraction, longing, love, and desire for union. In this connection, one should likewise note—