Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi
The delicacy of its feelings makes these visions sweeter still. Its colophon records that the work was completed on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha, Vikrama Samvat 1966.
His dark body shines in brilliant garments; his brothers accompany him, and his horse advances with a dancing gait.
Bracelets adorn his hands, says Rasrangmani, a garland his breast, a lovely tilak his forehead, and a bridal crown covers his head.
His moon-like face smiles softly, filled with bliss, while the beauty of his lotus eyes forms a snare for the mind.
Whoever once glimpses this graceful vision remains wholly absorbed in it—such is the beautiful and excellent vision of Rama as bridegroom.
His body is cloud-dark and his garment lightning-bright; his mighty arms, bearing bow and arrows, embody heroism.
Various ornaments and an immense forest garland adorn him, while at his left stands the daughter of the Earth.
His face is the moon, his excellent eyes are lotuses, and his graceful smile destroys the greatest obstacles.
This pure, beautiful vision of Rama, hero of the universe, dwells amid waves of awakening within Rasrang’s lotus-mind.
Sita’s body is lightning and her garment resembles a cloud; Ghanshyama’s body is a dark rain cloud and his garment flashes like lightning.
Sita’s eyes seem lovely blue lotuses gathered into a treasury of noble conduct, while her lover’s eyes are lovelier than red lotuses.
Rasrangmani beholds the beauty of each reflected in the other; smiling gently, both are intoxicated with joy, love, and awareness.
Search with the understanding throughout all three worlds and nowhere will one glimpse another vision equal to this splendid vision of Raghava and Sita.
The youthful Couple, fair and dark, are steeped in affection and shine with garments closely fastened about their throats.
Exulting in loving play and intoxicated by beauty, each plunders the other’s bliss and shines eager for līlā.
They turn their rolling eyes upon one another, absorbed in amusement and reddened with love; Rasrangmani gazes as they laugh.
May those two moons—Raghunandan and lovely Sita, roots of bliss—forever dwell within the lotus of my heart.
Siyavara Keli-padāvalī
Sri Gyanali Sahchari Ji
This work, supremely dear to rasika worshippers, is an outstanding treasury of the mutual exchanges of Bhagavan Ramachandra and Bhagavati Janaki Maharani—their joy and amusement, sportive līlā, and loving recreation. It is held in particular esteem among the practitioners of this branch.
At the beginning Gyanali Ji introduces her own spiritual form. This self-introduction is profoundly esoteric and offers a magnificent demonstration of how deep and rasa-filled the intimacy between God and devotee may become in love. It is followed by songs celebrating Rama’s birth and Janaki’s birth. Thereafter comes an exceptionally moving explanation of lagana, the soul’s consuming attachment. This account is especially remarkable from the literary standpoint as well.
Next come the twelve-month cycle and the six seasons, with songs of the Divine Couple’s mutual exchanges, swinging, dancing, forest recreation, water play, and Holi. Against a background of natural beauty, Gyanali presents these many forms of līlā—