Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

By her compassionate glance, the Sovereign Lady assigns each woman her service;
filled with the bliss-rasa of love, each companion performs what is hers.
Some dress the hair, applying fragrant oil;
some clothe the Couple in perfumed garments, while others bathe them with scented paste.
Some companions prepare the braid and adornment with many fragrances;
they offer warm food of many flavours and cool, aromatic water.
One beautifully prepares betel and places it in the hands of both Beloveds;
another, greatly blessed, bows and receives the remnant betel into her hand.
Some bear fly-whisks and parasols, others playthings and rich perfumes;
some bring garments and ornaments, others garlands of flowers.
Companions stand on every side; some arrange the bedding,
some play instruments, and others reveal dance and celestial song.
Pleased, the companions gaze upon the Couple’s beauty and ward off the evil eye;
circling mustard seed and salt, they offer even their own selves.
Seeing perfect sincerity amid countless companies,
Sita makes the women her servants, and they bow at her feet.

Among them the youthful boy and girl, filled with colour, sport;
bound by love’s cord, they are never separated even a little.
Their faces meet within a single mirror as they behold one another from the corners of their eyes;
sometimes they gaze unwaveringly, like the moon and the chakora bird.
When tears intervene and obstruct the beloved vision,
each condemns even bliss itself, the heart distressed.
Sometimes, weighted with affection, they cling to one another in an embrace;
intoxicated by the wine of love, neither remains aware of the body.
Sometimes the two princes adorn one another,
eating and feeding betel and enjoying many kinds of recreation.
Sometimes they play ball or games of dice and chess;
sometimes they exchange intimate words, distributing treasures of sweet delight.