Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Their bodies glitter, illumined by ornaments,
While, mingling together, the companions sing the mode of Malār.
The clouds rain down great, heavy drops;
Sita and her beloved swing, steeped in rasa, their brilliant veil and shawl soaked through.
Beholding the Couple’s beauty, says Rasrangmani, even the sugarcane bow of Love withers away.

The youthful Couple swing upon the hanging seat.
As the clouds rain, the beloveds’ hearts rejoice and their eyes gaze into one another’s corners.
Little by little their sparkling play takes up residence within Rasrangmani’s peacock-like mind.

Hari, best of rasikas, has stolen my mind.
Filled with fresh delight, he has taken Sita with him and swings upon the colourful seat.
Laughing, he bends toward Sita and steals her heart, twisting his eyes in a sidelong glance.
The powerful hero, treasury of beauty, has lodged within Rasrangmani’s heart.

Raghubir and Sita relish the joyous rāsa of autumn.
In a lovely autumn grove, within a beautiful bower, jasmine blossoms and bees hum amid fragrance.
Adorned for autumn, the companions take up instruments, sing autumnal songs, and dance in exultation.
It is a lovely autumn night: autumn moonlight shines and the stainless autumn moon rises high in the sky.
Sita’s and Rama’s faces resemble that autumn moon; thirsty and immersed in love, Rasrang’s eyes drink their nectar-beauty.

Sita’s beauty shines as a bride.
Her body glows like jasmine, her hands like refined gold, and the sweetness of her face surpasses the moon.
Her lovely eyes are more enchanting than lotuses, darkened with collyrium as though they had drunk beauty itself.
Every ornament shines upon her fair body, as does the lovely radiance of her veil.
Her hair-parting is abundantly filled with vermilion, and the beauty of her bridal crown steals the mind.
Rasrangmani says the delightful pair of Sita and Raghubar dwell within his heart.

“Beloved boy, untie Sita Ji’s bracelet.
Lovely one, work it out with one hand—you are not permitted to use both!”
The clever youth tries but cannot free it, while the beautiful bride laughs and hides something beneath the edge of her veil.
A companion says, “Beloved, grasp Sita’s feet now; this is not a bow that can be broken into two.”
Hearing this, Raghubar smiles and says, “Speak what is in your heart today—do not miss your chance.”
Rasrangmani says the Lord untied the knot, awakening swelling affection within the bride’s heart.