Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Her tender sidelong glance, a vessel of ten million graces, becomes the boat that carries Rasrang across.
Such are Sita’s lovely, expansive eyes, darkened with the collyrium that delights Raghava.

Description of the Nose

Seeing Sita’s nose more beautiful than a parrot’s beak, even Rati bends down in shame.
A splendid nose-ring graces it, and its swinging ornament dances beneath a canopy of beauty.
Rasrangmani says a morsel of betel is artfully arranged upon her sweet lips,
While her knowing smile truly arrays a treasury of happiness within her beloved’s heart.

Description of the Face

I sacrifice bandhuka blossom, coral, hibiscus, and every red flower to the sweetness of her lips.
I sacrifice the radiance of lightning, pomegranate seeds, and jasmine buds to the splendour of her teeth.
Rasrangmani says: let the cuckoo’s voice be offered up before her speech.
Let millions of moons be swept far away from Sita’s face, and let me perform the rite that wards off every evil glance.

Description of the Neck

Soft and spotless, glittering brightly, it marks the furthest boundary of supreme beauty.
Many ornaments shine upon it, says Rasrangmani, along with immensely precious pearls.
The artful grace of its movements in loving play is the very life of discerning Rama.
Beholding Raghunandan’s fair beloved’s neck, both conch and dove are put to shame.

Description of the Hands and Arms

Exceedingly lovely, tender, and well formed, they steal the brilliance of both gold and lightning.
Are her forearms succulent lotus stalks, or twin streams flowing from the river of beauty?
They grant fearlessness and happiness to the worlds; Rasrangmani says they resemble wish-fulfilling vines.
The generous arms of Videha’s daughter form a splendid garland about her beloved Rama’s neck.

Plantain, kettledrum, lion, lotus, and śrīphala fruit are invoked as likenesses for her limbs.
Yet no other person has known them, can know them, or can describe them, O discerning Rasrang.
Rama alone knows; even he speaks of them to no one else.
With this understanding, this brief account of Sita’s beauty has been uttered.

Description of the Entire Body

From gold comes its beauty, from the moon its cooling sweetness, and from crystal its lovely, stainless radiance.
From lightning comes its lustre, says Rasrang, while the tender champak bud yields its fragrance.