Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Each day he rises and comes to swing within the bowers of Pramodavana.
Gyanali says: with Sita and her beloved I shall swing, sounding the fearless drum of victory.

The two beloveds mingle closely and swing, companion, upon the fresh hanging seat.
Lovely monsoon reigns in beauty while the clouds thunder with tremendous sound.
Frogs, peacocks, and papiha birds call; hearing them, my mind yearns.
The beloved gazes upon the body of his dearest life, while Sita looks toward her lover.

Each places an arm upon the other’s shoulder; they steal the minds of Rati and Manmatha.
Sitaraman and Rama’s beloved Sita overflow with affection and the fruit of beauty.
Seeing the graceful Couple, Gyanali forgets all awareness of body, mind, and wealth.

The fresh rasika swings with his beloved beside him.
Mind meets mind and eye gives itself to eye.
Charushila and the companions joyfully swing them, singing ever-new melodies.
Mridang, cymbals, and sarangi resound, each drawing forth its stream of notes.

Delight increases in every limb at every moment, and lover and beloved are soaked in colour.
Gyanali stands beholding their beauty while the whole assembly becomes transfixed.

Sita swings with the moon of Raghu’s line.
Filled with love, their attachment swells while many songs and metres are sung.
Waves of laughter and playful delight rise, and every word becomes a root of beauty.
Seeing this splendour, Padmavadani and the hosts of gods rejoice.

Rasikmani, beloved son of Raghu, swings.
Groups of ladies approach, moving beautifully with the gait of swans.
Beholding Sita and Siyavar swing, they become caught within beauty’s net.
Joyfully they push the swing, and the hearts of all the young women blossom.

Padmavadani looks with her own eyes upon that supreme beauty and finds fulfilment.

Today I shall swing with my beloved.
This monsoon, companion, beneath its canopy of beauty, I shall blossom within my lover’s heart.
Proud clouds gather, lightning appears, and drops fall in a gentle patter; my heart yearns.
I shall do exactly as the connoisseur wishes and weigh my whole body against rasa.

Adorning myself afresh and gathering the companions, I shall abandon housework and every restraint of shame.
Taking the hand of the one who captures my heart, I shall unfold ever-new movements.
Hearing Sita’s lovely words steeped in happiness, Gyanali’s breast exults.
Gazing upon the mind-enchanter, we two shall unite closely and rejoice.