Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

I bow to Raghava Rama, embodiment and treasury of rasa and colour—
Raghunandan, lotus-eyed, with the royal daughter Sita beside him.

I bow to devotion, the noble devotee, and Rama, dear as life to his devotees;
To the tradition of surrender, its sacred mark, and its garland of tulsi.

If fate should make me a bird, tree, deer, or some other creature, let me dwell amid Awadh’s forest.
If I become an aquatic animal, let me live happily drinking the excellent water of the river Sarayu.
If I am made a dog, let me be the mount or hunting companion of the royal prince.
If human, says Rasrangmani, let me become the loving friend of dear Raghunandan.

If born an outcaste, let me specially sweep the threshold and courtyard of Awadhesh each morning.
If a Shudra, let me perform the essential service of Sita’s beloved; if a Vaishya, let me serve within the city’s market.
If twice-born, let me enter the family of the Solar Dynasty’s gurus and beautifully recite Rama’s wedding.
If a Kshatriya, says Rasrangmani, let me be born in Sri Raghu’s line as Raghava’s loving friend.

Rasrangmani is Rama’s friend and Sita’s companion, in love with her lotus feet.
He is a little brother to beloved Lakshman, who daily caresses and indulges him.
He is a young brother among Shatrughna, Bharat, and the other princes.
To Sri Awadhesh and the queens he is the tiniest, dearest child, playing in their laps.

I gazed upon the feet and examined the nails; longing, I climbed toward the twin shanks, thighs, and knees.
I bathed in the navel, came to the chest and embraced it, grasped the mighty arms, and sang the neck’s virtues.
Desiring the chin, says Rasrangmani, I bowed beneath it; beholding the face, I became utterly helpless.
When my mind looked into Ramachandra Ji’s eyes, it went and became caught in the chains of his curls.

Touching the lotus feet, I was purified by their pollen; approaching the light of the nails, I became fastened within the anklets.
I beheld the thighs, the girdled waist and yellow cloth, then bowed to the three folds and rubbed myself in their fragrance.
Climbing from belly to chest and arms, says Rasrangmani, I embraced them, then settled upon the ornamented neck and lovely chin.
Raghunandan’s moon-like face was fixed within my mind; when I wished to move onward, I became ensnared in his gentle smile.

Śrī Rāma Rasa-raṅga-vilāsa

The Rāma Rasa-raṅga-vilāsa of the Ayodhya resident Sri Sitaramsharan Ramras Rangmani Ji is a priceless jewel from the standpoints of doctrine, spiritual practice, and literature. It was printed in Ashadha, Vikrama Samvat 1967, at the Hitachintak Press, Ramghat, Benares City. It begins with twelve verses of auspicious invocation, salutations to the chosen deity, and praise of the guru, followed by eight kavitts honouring the acharya. Thereafter come the glory of Sri Rama’s Name, the rasa of Sri Rama’s form, longing for Sri Rama’s grace, and a concise account of the Ramayana narrative.