Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi
The moon-like face smiles gently; every breath falters, the mind is stolen, and the whole body thrills at its surpassing beauty.
The exquisite chin steals consciousness again and again; Banadas says that beside its lustre even emeralds grow pale.
The conch-like neck reaches beauty’s furthest limit; dear Hari’s shoulders remain forever firm and handsome.
His two mighty arms bear bracelets and armlets, and his lovely hands hold the bow and arrows with perfect grace.
His broad, well-formed chest is adorned with garlands of flowers and pearls, with lovely basil leaves and the sacred yellow cloth.
It bears the marks of Bhrigu’s foot and of Lakshmi; three folds possess a special beauty, and his deep navel seems to have bewitched a hundred thousand minds.
His waist is leonine, with quiver and golden-yellow garment whose radiance puts lightning to shame; how perfectly lovely the sight!
Banadas says: the borders and extremities of his forest dress captivate the understanding of whoever looks upon them.
The pair of knees makes even Love’s quivers seem insignificant; whoever sees the thighs and the fine current of hair upon them awakens to life.
Each royal limb is a treasury of beauty surpassing millions of Love-gods—who could look upon such a rain of beauty and not be enchanted?
The ankles possess a hidden grace, the feet a shapely loveliness; sages have fixed their minds within those lotus feet.
Banadas says: when the elephant of the mind is caught in this mighty contest, every limb grows powerless and each of his limbs seizes it in turn.
Kanak Bhavan is Sita-Raman’s ground of divine recreation; speech cannot describe its design and becomes mute.
There, among her companions, Sita is adorned in every auspicious limb, as though the pride of Shachi and Rati had been broken.
A radiant, gold-and-jewel throne stands there, indescribable in splendour—the sun himself grows ashamed upon seeing it.
Upon it the dark-and-fair Couple are enthroned; Banadas says their beauty flows sweetly from toenails to crown.
It is as though a golden creeper had gathered the beauty of all fourteen worlds and clasped a tamala tree.
Upon that wondrous couch the pride of countless Ratis is shattered by the guise assumed by the royal son, a millionfold Love-god.
Banadas says: those who remain forever absorbed in such contemplation retain no hope of liberation anywhere in the three worlds.
Pure in mind, action, and speech, the blessed person places complete trust in the one who destroys spiritual poverty.
A golden crown shines upon his head, and its brilliance makes the sun ashamed.
The extraordinary beauty of his curls drives away the threefold afflictions at a glance.
Lovely ringlets gleam and steal the beholder’s heart;
Falling upon his chest, they leave nothing else pleasing to the eye.
Wondrous pearls shine at his ears, their sharp lustre captivating;
Cutting across the curls beside his cheek, their radiance is utterly distinctive.
His curved brows and reddish lotus eyes are lovely and delightful to behold;
A pure tilak shines upon his forehead as though intent upon stealing the mind.
His lips are red, his noble nose beautiful, and the radiance of his teeth is lovely;
The gentle feeling within his smile makes the splendour of pomegranate seeds seem pale.
Whoever becomes attached to Shyama’s moon-like face regards all three worlds as light and trivial.
The mind finds no satisfaction however long it gazes, and nowhere else does it find a foothold.