Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Champakala is a treasure-house filled with the enjoyments of rasa;
she finds constant happiness in beholding the Beloved and his darling at their eternal play.

Rupalata is an exclusive worshipper of the very form fashioned by the Creator.
With discernment she performs service within the palace of Rama and Jānaki.

These are the eight principal companions; the other companions are without number.
By the gracious sidelong glance of these eight, many living beings have been purified.

Whoever desires the intimate, sweet play of Sita and her Beloved
should abandon every other hope and seek the company of these companions.

Favoured by Sri Prasad Ju, the virtues of the eight companions have been sung.
Through their mercy, Ali Nivas attained the palace’s sweetness.

First one should recite their account, and only afterward cause the other worship to be performed.
Intimate sweetness will then flash within the heart, and one will easily reach the palace.

Sri Rama’s female companions and their services

First is the beautiful Charushila, accomplished in the art of song.
Her tongue relishes the Couple’s play, and she is absorbed in Rama’s intimate rasa.

Hema always prepares betel quids with her hands and smilingly places them in the Couple’s mouths.
She is a treasury of the colour of wedded love, bringing auspiciousness into the heart.

Kshema makes every arrangement and fashions garments of many kinds.
Beautiful, tasteful, pleasing, and comfortable, she dresses the lover and his beloved in them.

The lovely companion Padmagandha serves by ornamenting their limbs.
Her own body is forever adorned in the colour of the Couple’s sweetness.

The companion Sulochana is a skilful artist: she perfects the collyrium and forehead marks.
She lives by adorning every limb of Sita and her Beloved.

The companion Vararoha joyfully feeds the Couple.
With her whole life she preserves the happiness of those who are the very life of every living being.

Lakshmana, her mind fixed upon its goal, arranges ornaments of flowers.
Smiling again and again, she places them upon Maharaj Siyavallabha.

Subhaga, the crest-jewel of lovely women, serves the beautiful bed.
She gathers every variety of pleasure and love’s nectar for Siyavallabha’s delight.