Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi
“Now listen and fix the mind upon contemplation of Rama; merely hearing it destroys the whole mass of sin.
An Ashoka grove shines upon the Sarayu’s bank, its entire design enchanting Kama and Rati.
The golden ground is inlaid with many gems, and the abode consists of Existence, Consciousness, and Bliss.
“A supremely beautiful wish-fulfilling tree stands there, and at its root is a sacred jewelled palace.
At the palace’s centre shines an altar radiant with the lustre of cintāmaṇi.
Upon it rests an exceedingly splendid jewelled throne, from which hang fringes of elephant pearls.”
Ayodhya
Rama is beginningless, Sita beginningless, and Awadh beginningless.
Your city is beginningless, declare the disputants learned in the Vedas.
The two royal sovereigns and the thrones of Awadh and Mithila are beginningless;
The four Vedas, six systems of philosophy, Puranas, and other scriptures proclaim this.
You are the king and know every matter within your own household.
Outsiders see it only when the sidelong glance of your grace falls upon them.
Every līlā is beginningless and unfolds according to whatever desire arises;
The Vedic revelation fearlessly calls this its manifestation.
Sita-Rama, the supreme form, sport in the company of devotees.
For devotees they are the dark-and-fair Couple, the refuge of those without refuge.
Sita and Urmila embody affection and prema, serving together with love through all eight watches of the day.
Several printed works by Sri Kashthajihva Swami have been identified and are held in particular esteem within the rasika tradition:
- Śrī Jānakī-maṅgala — contemplation of Sri Janaki Ji’s form.
- Śrī Rāma-maṅgala — contemplation of Sri Rama Ji’s form, followed by reflection upon the divinity of the Name, form, līlā, and abode.
- Bhūṣaṇa-rahasya — the arrangement of the many adornments and ornaments gracing the bodies of Bhagavan Rama and Bhagavati Sita.
- Aśvinīkumāra-bindu.
- Hanumat-bindu.
- Śyāma-lagana.
- Śyāma-sudhā.
- Jānakī-bindu.
- Kṛṣṇa-sahasra-paricaryā.
[A handwritten annotation across items 5–6 reads approximately: “Books are society’s treasury of jewels; therefore, protecting them is your most sacred duty.”]