Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Soft velvet and other fine fabrics cover the many couches, stealing the heart and bringing it helplessly beneath their sway.
Lovely stairways, both small and immense, possess a beauty that cannot be described.
Many lamps shine, while drums, conches, and the royal naubat resound.

At every season there are halls perfectly suited to the time, magnificent, happiness-giving, and wondrous.
Whenever the Lord desires a particular bower, he happily sports there.

Chandrakala, Sri Charu, and Sushila are group-leaders whose two hearts are united.
Know Chandrakala as discerning Sri Bharat and Charushila as Hanuman.

Through the strength of their arms, millions of companies of companions
Sport happily within Saketa, holding the Couple’s feet within their hearts.

Wherever one looks, there are young women serving the Couple and abandoning every hesitation.
They establish companies within their own bowers, live there joyfully, and sing the glory of Sita and her beloved.
In every bower Sita-Raghurai dwell separately beside each companion, bestowing happiness.

Hearing this, rasikas should not be astonished: know all of Sita’s companions as one.
The Lord gives each a distinct happiness according to her own desire.
Every companion thinks, “Both sovereigns reside only within my palace.”

Sri Janaki is a treasury of grace and Raghunath an ocean of compassion.
All the greatly fortunate companions sport beside them with the full wealth of divine splendour.

Seeing the proper time, the lovely Couple awaken, all four eyes saturated with the languor of love.
Again and again they stretch, opening and closing their happiness-giving eyes.
Sometimes both cover their faces, and sometimes pull the cloth aside; the companions borrow a glimpse with thirsty eyes.

At times they remain entangled in sleep, at times awaken; beholding the beauty, the companions praise their fortune.
Crying “Victory! Victory!” one pulls aside the curtain, approaches, and repeatedly offers herself in sacrifice.

With humble prayers the young women awaken Ladili and Lal, arrange pillows on three sides, and seat them.
Gazing upon their languid beauty, the companions rejoice and perform ārati.
They present auspicious platters, make offerings, and fill the palace with delight.

Their curls and ornaments remain tangled from sleep, giving the companions indescribable happiness.
Both yawn languidly, then look toward the young women and smile.
Happiness-giving laughter and play arise, and the lovers’ languor disappears.

Lover and beloved behold one another’s beauty, hold one another’s chins, and place arms about each other’s necks.
Sometimes Sita and her beloved adorn one another while everyone watches.
After this lovely adornment is completed, a companion brings a mirror and reveals their reflection.

Delighted by the sight of their own forms, they again place arms about one another’s necks.