Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Green gems set in gold shine upon her two feet;
above them tiny bells, and at their tips exquisite toe rings.
Precious stones and lovely rubies have been placed there;
the soles of her beautiful feet are naturally crimson.
What comparison can be offered for the incomparable forms of the Couple?
Every brilliance used as a simile shines only through their power.
Thus Rama, Lord who delights in Awadh, reigns in Ayodhya
with his supremely generous consort, bringing renown and joy to servants.

Meditation upon the attendants

To the right stands the fair-bodied subduer of enemies, radiant and noble,
bearing the appointed form and weapons suited to both purposes.
Shesha holds the parasol; Bharata waves the fly-whisk;
the other royal sons stand with joined hands and sing the Lord’s glory.
Each attendant remains forever splendid in the appointed station;
Vimala and the other stainless powers continually obey his command.
Each dwells mentally upon the service proper to his or her authority;
expert vina players worship the Lord through song.
Holding this meditation in the heart, one makes embodied life fruitful;
Shiva, Brahma, and all the gods bow before the Couple’s feet.
A Rasika should meditate every day upon this excellent Divine Couple;
no one who is not a Rasika obtains this meditation even in a dream.
The lovely entrance gate is charming and richly painted;
champaka, tamāla, mandāra, and wish-fulfilling trees enchant the eye.

Rāmāṣṭayāma

Sri Nabhadas

Description of the twelve forests

First is the lovely Forest of Adornment;
the forest of excursions and the sacred tamāla grove.
There are forests of mango, champaka, and excellent sandalwood,
and auspicious trees of pārijāta and ashoka—