Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Beholding their gestures, dispositions, consequent expressions, and mutually graceful rasa,
I shall offer myself and recognise my own incomparable fortune.

Ah, on what blessed day will the Couple put their arms around my neck,
and when shall I behold their faces smiling gently and sweetly, fulfilling the heart’s desire?

Moment after moment I shall lovingly arrange clusters of divine play,
with the exhilaration of a poor person finding wealth or a woman meeting her beloved.

The jewelled palace is brightly glittering, pure and fragrant in every way.
All the natural articles of service are always present, and a radiant bed is prepared there.

I shall lovingly seat the darling lady and her Beloved there
and behold their sweet moon-faces, fixing both eyes upon that beauty.

I shall arrange the beautiful bed for the Couple and massage their feet,
again and again congratulating myself upon my good fortune.

Placing their lovely feet, with the radiance of their nails, upon my stainless heart,
I shall carefully serve their happiness while meditating upon their incomparable virtues.

Having satisfied everyone, I shall then sit beside the beautiful, happiness-giving beloved Sita.
My heart swelling abundantly, I shall drink nectar with joyful thirst.

For the sake of their clear and playful recreation, I shall go with the companions into the garden.
Seeing excellent flowers and fruits, I shall behold the abode of joy.

Moving my quick eyes and dancing on every side, I shall enchant the heart-stealing youthful Couple.
Having delighted them, this bee-companion will obtain the robe of love.

The companions prepare a pure bed, tender as the essence of milk.
The fresh and wondrous bower becomes an excellent chamber of intimate mystery.

Every delightful article is arranged for the auspicious union of Sri Shyama and Shyam.
Decorated with incomparable attachment, the whole assembly becomes the enjoyment of love.

With the companions’ affection, I shall fashion the pure bed as a beautiful throne
and seat darling and Beloved there, remaining absorbed in beholding Rasaraja.

Her eyes flash like champak, gold, and quick lightning.
Contemplating the limbs of Sita, my sovereign lady, I shall sacrifice myself countless times.

At every moment, according to the season, ten million arts of divine play arise.
Beholding the youthful Couple within them, I shall attain the pure essence of happiness.