Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Know these eight to be the Beloved’s principal companions.
Through their mercy, Ali Nivas obtained the sweetness of the palace.

In the bedchamber fashion a jewelled bed and arrange delights appropriate to the hour.
Smilingly announce it and seat the two there; contemplate the entire company of love.

Lover and beloved relish the nectar of happiness while the companions dwell all around.
Their eyes feast upon the Couple’s joy, and by grace their minds become intoxicated with the intimate mystery.

Contemplate their meals, offerings, recreation, and happiness, and take the True Guru’s remnants as food.
Remain governed by devotional feeling and perform each mental service according to its proper time.

Hold the play of love in the meditation of your eyes and life-breath for as long as it continues.
Understanding their exquisite taste, bow nearby; afterward gather and put away all the articles of service.

Lovingly feed them the excellent offering; when they tire, prepare the ārati.
Fondling them with affection, arrange the bed and lay Maharaj down to rest.

Bring your eyes and life-breath to the blissful service of the Couple’s feet.
With tender hands, gently massage the delicate feet of lover and beloved.

Remain forever immersed in this bhāvanā, loving it as a fish loves water.
Abandon every other discipline and worship the essential bliss of grace.

Read this supremely blissful Bhoga-pacīsī every day, and love will shine forth.
Kripanivas sang it after his mind had found and relished that rasa.

The Padāvalī of Sri Kripanivas

At the prompting of Mahatma Ramkishorsharan, Chhote Lal Lakshmichand published this collection. It contains approximately four hundred songs, covering the different hours and divine pastimes from the morning awakening to the Lord’s repose at night.

Among poets of Rasika worship, Kripanivas holds a distinguished place. He cannot be treated as lightly as Acharya Shukla treated him in his literary history. Personal prejudice can sometimes make even the finest object appear ugly and indecent. Such a judgement cannot be called scientific or impartial. Kripanivas’s songs make it evident that he was a supremely experienced saint of this mystery of rasa and an accomplished poet. His language is highly polished and his devotional feelings exceedingly graceful.