Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

The beloved dwells within his darling’s life and remains under her control, while she stands before her lover.
The Beloved says, “I am wholly yours, and you are mine—how great is my good fortune!
Through your grace I possess this great fortune. Sport, playful lady, and enjoy whatever happiness your heart desires.
Your affection is priceless; for its sake my mind has abandoned every other motive.
Delighted by you, O darling, I cling to your feet and count myself blessed beyond measure.
I am your royal possession—life and body—and remain bound to your feet.”
Some forever drink this nectar of happiness; others forget it and burn beneath the poison’s brand.
Kripanivas says: by the flavour of grace, the awakened servants are given this drink through the night.

The colourful Couple are steeped in the supreme rasa.
The beautiful lover is dyed in Sita’s attachment, and the beloved lady is bound in her lover’s love.
My mind revolves around Sita’s grace and comes to understand the intimate mystery of her beloved.
Dark and fair hues mingle upon the Couple’s bodies like powders of musk and saffron.
The splendour of their beauty flashes and flashes, adorned by smiles like lightning.
A single stream of sweet, blissful rasa flows, filling the companions’ minds with delight.
With arms garlanded around one another’s necks, the dear boy and girl fondle each other while the companions indulge them.
Kripanivas says: Sri Janakivallabha, never depart from me.

May the colourful Couple live forever!
May the youthful lover and maiden sport forever in the colourful pleasure-pavilion.
May they remain forever dyed in the love of the blessed married companions, gathering boundless good fortune.
May the lovely Sita dwell within her lover’s life, and Shyama within Sita’s mind.
May the lover remain a pure cātaka bird longing for Sita, and may Sita’s grace rain upon him like the Svati shower.
May Sita’s moon-face pour its excellent nectar forever, and may her lover’s moon-bird eyes drink it.
They are the whole treasure of our eyes and life, ever increasing the sweet nectar of our happiness.
Kripanivas says: once the service of the palace has attached itself to the worshipper, may it remain attached forever.

Mother, may meditation upon Sita and Rama remain with me night and day.
The Couple’s faces are abodes of beauty, alluring even Kamadeva.
Their crowns, shaped like lunar crescents, are set with jewels and pearls.
Earrings and ear-flowers sway and shimmer beautifully.
Their paired foreheads are like two moons, covered by a gentle radiance.
Their formidable paired eyebrows are four bows fully drawn by Kamadeva.
Dark curling locks ripple across their two cheeks,
like black bees enticed by the nectar of twin lotus blossoms—