Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

—sometimes the youthful prince suddenly appears before her eyes
and playfully seizes her, as though capturing the thief who stole his heart.
Sometimes the Lady comes to his dwelling to enjoy the happiness of dance,
where eager, skilful companions sing of the Beloved’s ever-new affection.
Sometimes the hearts of both princes overflow and they sing artfully together;
the companion who embodies beauty and melody offers her life there.
Sometimes each is enthralled by the other’s body, an ocean of beauty,
offering the self in delight and crying helplessly, “I am undone!”

The companions’ words to Jānaki

The companions drink the rasa of the two princes, who are their very life;
beholding love’s ever-new beauty, they offer body, mind, and breath.
The youthful Couple, treasure-house of rasa, sport in this way night and day—
divine, stainless, and composed of bliss, caught within love’s noose.
At the proper time an elder woman comes from the elders’ house to unite Sita with her beloved.
In private she speaks, astonished in heart as she beholds Sita’s fortunate beauty:
“Friend Sita, how can I describe your limitless good fortune?
Hari remains joined to you, sustained only by the form you bear.
Fish in the eyes, tortoise at the breasts, Narasimha at the waist,
Krishna in the hair and Rama in the heart—what other woman is like you, O Vamana-like maiden?
The one Lord of millions upon millions of universes
desires to live continually for your sake, Sita.
He who is the life and wealth of Brahma, Indra, Shiva, and the sages—
you are the flame of his life, O ocean of virtue.
Brahma, Rudra, and every host of gods remain helpless under his power;
yet that Beloved gazes upon your face, subject to you.
Ashamed before the elders to speak openly of love’s play,
Sita gives her own jeweled ornament and remains silent like a parrot.”

A companion’s words to Rama

“Upon your honour I speak, Beloved: your eyes awaken only when they see Sita’s face.
You have done well to place yourself so completely under her power—”