Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Through this, the Couple’s happiness becomes one’s own happiness, and service within that relationship becomes dear.
Whoever delights in love in this manner is greatly blessed, Yugala-priya says.

Ho! Today Dasharatha’s colourful son plays a vividly colourful Phagun.
In the Golden Palace, within Sri Rang Mahal, the glances of the beloved lady shower coloured powder.
Abundant bowers spread in every direction, divided among Chandrakala and the other companions.
Lover and beloved, supremely blessed in marriage, are arrayed in garments, jewels, and every adornment.
She begins to soak him in colour beside the sacred Sarayu, filled with love.
Sita empties her syringe upon her lover, filling him with saffron powder.
Chandrakala drenches his body and soaks the saffron turban upon his head.
The beloved lady claps in delight—captivating, adorable, and devoted to her lover.
Beholding this līlā as a cascading stream, worship within the lake of love.
Yugala-priya is greatly blessed to have found Agraswami’s path and its immeasurable happiness.

“Beloved, play the Holi of colour today—yes, you yourself play this Holi!
O prince of King Dasharatha, yesterday you used force against me.
You are the darling prince of Raghu’s line, and I am the maiden of Nimi’s line.
In what respect are my troop-leading companion and her millions of attendants inferior?
In beauty and virtues you are cultivated, my dear—but am I any less accomplished?”
Yugala-priya says: the beautiful lady smiles at the gateway of the Colour Palace.

Come, my beloved, rasika Raghunandana,
sovereign of rasikas and sandalwood cooling their hearts.
Meet the colourful rasikas in this bower;
Vimala and the other beauties have gathered here.
Our bower lies along this very path, O nectar-filled Lord.
Pause for a moment and drink the graceful rasa.
Hearing the companion’s words, the Beloved smiles.
Joining her, he comes near the darling lady.
Here the Couple’s happiness is revealed as the companion’s own happiness.
Yugala-priya says: this service delights my mind.

Dark bee-like Rama, fair lotus-like Sita is your beloved.
A companion came to the city of Awadh and delivered a fragrant letter.
The moment he read it, his mind became restless; then the beneficent son of Gadhi arrived.
He brought him away, and Rama’s deeds purified the forest, delighting the hearts of gods and sages—