Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

The rasika Rama, his beloved’s lover, remains entangled in the knots of her loving arms.
Intoxicated by rasa, he cannot compose himself; he has fallen wholly under that clever lady’s control.
At the proud lift of her nose and her sidelong glance, he is drenched in a shower of rasa.
Kripanivas says: as she displays her offended reserve, the heart’s desires of the Lord of her life stand revealed.

“Let me sleep, my dear; little of the night remains.
You have passed the entire night in Love’s play, and now every limb is heavy with languor.
Beloved, you do not understand the ways of love—you look only to your own pleasure.”
Kripanivas says: the maiden Sita laughs and casts a faintly reproachful glance.

Bhāvanā-pacīsī

Composed by Kripanivas

Kripanivas’s Bhāvanā-pacīsī is an invaluable work from the standpoint of both doctrine and practice. The entire text is composed in dohās. It begins with the names of Sri Jānaki’s companions and the services they perform, and then gives the names and services of Sri Rama’s female companions. The first account occupies twelve dohās and the second twenty-one. These are followed by descriptions of the morning adornment, the food offering, the sixteenfold ritual worship, and finally bhāvanā—worship performed mentally.

Sri Jānaki’s companions and their services

First is Sri Prasad Ju, the crown of all the companions;
under her care the dark and fair members of the Divine Couple sport forever.

Chandrakala is a treasury of virtues and a discerning knower of intimate secrets.
She serves the charming Beloved of exquisite taste at every appointed hour.

Vimala remains forever absorbed in the stainless divine play.
She reveals ever-new desires within the Beloved’s treasure of intimate delight.

Madanakala is an abode of Love’s nectar, devoted to the Couple’s rasa.
She praises their faces and, unwavering in feeling, is a fertile field of rasa.

Vishvamohini remains single-mindedly enchanted by their lotus feet;
the clustered cups of her eyes are filled with Siyavallabha’s sweetness.

Urmila dwells in supreme happiness, favourable alike to lover and beloved.
Beholding the Couple’s faces, she blossoms like a night-lotus beneath the moon.