Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Awakened to youth, Sita—the crown-jewel of her age and beloved of all—stands like a lovely vine while royal maidens attend her from either side, delighting in service.
Doe-eyed, sweet-voiced as a cuckoo, and elephant-gaited, she shatters Rati’s pride; Gyanali says all the women of Nimi’s line blossom whenever they glimpse her beauty.

Swing gently, Rasika Rama, while the rain falls.
You are the dark forest-cloud and Sita the lightning beside you; in your mutual exchange let body touch body.
Ever fresh and all-pervading with the rasa of beauty, give nectar to the eyes and make their happiness overflow.
Hearing Gyanali’s thundering petition, place your arm about her shoulder and grant an ever-new vision.

The fresh connoisseurs of rasa swing upon the swing:
The royal son and Janaka’s daughter, fair and dark, gentle embodiments of rasa.
Like a golden vine meeting the tamala tree, their vine-like arms intertwine and captivate the mind.
Gyanali makes one ever-new request: let her dwell at the feet of Sita and her beloved.

Rasika Bihari and delicate Sita—
Swing them gently, sing to them, and charm the beloved; I give myself in sacrifice.
You are an accomplished lover whose virtues and beauty are radiant; cherish the accomplished Lady’s affection.
Her face is the moon and her beloved its thieving cakora, sole heir to the nectar of her beauty.

Hidden in one another’s embrace they swing, greedy for rasa and bestowers of happiness upon rasikas.
Gyanali Sahchari sings their glory, for today her good fortune has awakened.

Flashing and bending, they sway upon the swing.
Fair and dark, Rama and his beloved reveal the beauty of every limb.
Adorned in garments, ornaments, and flower garlands, they listen as Lakshana and the companions sing succulent songs.
Beholding the moon-like faces, the two lily-like eyes find fulfilment and blossom.

Kamala sings exquisitely like a cuckoo; Vimala is supremely skilled in the movement of the vina.
Lovely Subhaga intones the seven notes, while arms and shoulders sway.
Gyanali says the Couple’s play of rasa shines eternally within the bowers of Kanak Bhavan.
Devout hearts alone know that exultation and forever swing within this happiness.

Extraordinary rasika beloved and lover—
She goes to swing with her delicate companion.
Her lover’s brilliant turban captivates the mind;
A crescent ornament rests upon Sita’s head.
Ladili’s sari spreads like a little canopy,
And a yellow cloth wraps Shyama’s waist.