Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Besides these nine works, several other texts written by Sri Kashthajihva Swami and printed by lithography have been found, including Gayā-bindu, a Sanskrit commentary on the Gītā, Sāṃkhya-taraṅga, and Vairāgya-pradīpa.

Bṛhad Upāsanā-rahasya

Sri Premalata Ji

Sri Sita-Rama Ji are one. They appear as two only to sight. For the sake of devotees they eternally assume this dual form. Their mutual relation resembles water and wave; speech and meaning; flower and fragrance; food and flavour; original and reflection; jewel and value; body and indwelling self; and the dependent and its possessor.

Do not be proud, Raghunandan—understand this within the mind:
Behold your own form within Sita’s reflection.

Sri Sita-Rama Ji are one, and their deeds are essential truth. Devotees say, “Sri Rama Lala Ji, you are the servant of Sri Sita Ju.” Hearing this speech saturated with mādhurya-rasa, he smiles gently, speaks in a heart-pleasing way, and remains subject to the devotees. He is God governed by feeling, the abode of happiness and dwelling of compassion.

This work is filled with feeling upon feeling; no question of lack can arise in the devotees’ books. The Lord’s astonishing deeds are found only in the speech of bhāgavatas, nowhere else. The bhāgavatas eternally sport beside the Lord. Where proud scholars of Veda, Vedanta, and scripture cannot reach even in dreams, there the bhāgavatas, in the form of sakhīs within the inner palace, eternally serve Sri Sita-Rama Ji’s threshold. In the eternal līlā they repeatedly assume the forms of servants and others, giving the Lord supreme bliss.

Charushila is Hanuman, and Shambhu is Sushila Ali.
In two bodies they serve Sita-Rama’s feet, faithfully obeying command.

Outwardly they bear the attitude of servant and friend; inwardly, the disposition of a wife.
Through devotion of complete self-surrender, they meet the Lord in intimate companionship.

The Name

All other names are hosts of gods, while Rama’s Name is king of the gods.
The chanter’s heart becomes Amaravati, where the king shines amid his assembly.

All other names are avatāras; Rama’s Name is Sita-Rama.
The chanter’s heart becomes Sri Janakpur, where the Couple sport through all eight watches.

Practise ten million disciplines and refine ten million lives—
None is as happiness-giving as repetition of Rama’s Name, declares Purari, Lord Shiva.