Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Raghubar swings with his beloved.
Delighting in their lovely beauty, the companions swing them while singing waves of Malār.
Laughing and making one another laugh, they eat and feed each other betel as affection surges.
When a bee approaches, he drives it away with his hand and tenderly straightens the garment upon her body.
Rasrangmani offers body and mind before the customs of the Couple’s love.

Raghubar swings with the beloved of his life;
The Lord of her life holds an arm about her shoulder.
It is monsoon on the Sarayu’s bank, within the flowering garden;
Wherever they look upon its waves, delight overwhelms them.

A mass of black clouds has gathered around the sky,
Thundering and raining in a gentle patter.
The ground is green and the trees spread without limit;
Frogs call, and enchanting birds answer.

The companions have adorned them beautifully from toenails to crown
And sing the sweet melody of Malār.
They play instruments, dance, and mark the rhythm with claps;
Beholding the Couple’s beauty, they become filled with happiness.

They send Awadh Bihari rushing upon the swing;
Sita grows frightened and looks toward her beloved.
Intoxicated by beauty, both forget their bodies;
Seeing them, Rasrangmani gives himself in sacrifice.

Kajarī

Look, look! The united Couple swing upon the hanging seat.
Mithilesh’s daughter shines like a champak bud blossoming beside Raghunandan’s blue lotus.
Fine drops fall softly, and softly the two swing; smiling gently, they gaze upon one another and move within an ocean of happiness.
Filled with the surge of love and accompanied by Rasrangmani, they gleam whenever countless Love-gods peer at the vision.

Sita and beloved Raghuraj swing
In splendid Pramodavana beside the river.
Black clouds thunder and thunder as they rain;
Chātaka birds and peacocks call out loudly.
Both bodies are clothed in garments of brilliant colour.