Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Many auspicious trays stand beside the darling girl and beloved boy;
before them innumerable women sing auspicious songs in joyful company.
All are loving, wise, and gracious, beholding the Lord’s immeasurable beauty:
none is equal to Rama in faithfully sustaining love.
They gaze upon Prince Rama’s beauty, enamoured of every dark and lovely limb.
Some adore the enchanting sixteen-year-old;
others, in the intermediate stage of youth, are absorbed in Love’s play.
Some, poised at the meeting of ages, delight in the Couple’s colour and beauty;
others eternally desire the ever-new face of the beloved boy.
Thus they sustain the discipline of love. Their throats choke, their hairs stand on end,
and some experience all eight involuntary embodied states.
He knows within his heart the manner of every woman’s love;
body, mind, and speech all acknowledge the beloved boy.
The companions behold one another with glances and smile;
immersed in the Couple’s relishable form and affection, no one remembers the meal.

The companions’ service within the inner palace

The lovely lane of the inner palace receives the arriving women.
The crown jewel of the clever, delighting Sita, seats all her sisters nearby.
Within an exceedingly fine brocade curtain, newly worked with golden thread and gems,
they all sit resplendent; ten million Ratis are ashamed before their beauty.
The whole assembly enjoys what it sees and hears the delight of lovely speech;
the rasa is unfathomable and cannot be described—the Couple’s tender affection enchants.
Sita sits with her beloved’s face before her, attended by her own retinue.
At the front Sahaja shines beautifully, beguiling all with natural smiles and play.
Sri Sarayu stands holding a water ewer; the betel box overflows with bliss and tulsi.
Kamala and Vimala wave fly-whisks, while Chandrakala sings a melody.
All the others stand gracefully in their appointed service around the Couple.
Each gazes upon the limb whose sweetness has captured her mind,
and, beholding it, feels supreme delight within.
Some watch the Couple’s glances, others the gentle smiles that rain bliss.
Their eyes weary within that sweetness; seeing them,
the Couple glance from the corners of their eyes and smile at one another.
From each bower a companion comes, bows her head,
and is honoured with gentle words, fulfilled by the vision.

At mealtime

Having first offered the five sweet morsels of rasa,
they begin the meal, filled with bliss—