Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Bhajana-ratnāvalī

Sri Ramnarayandas

This substantial collection of devotional songs composed by Pandit Ramnarayandas of Ayodhya was printed at the Lucknow Printing Press by his younger brother, Sri Madhavdas, and published through Chhotelal Lakshmichand of Bombay in December 1899. The collection contains songs for various times and līlās, all of them intended to be sung in prescribed rāgas and rāginīs.

The final portion of the book contains several distinctive songs devoted to the worship of śṛṅgāra-rasa. They show that Sri Ramnarayandas was an aspirant of exceptionally elevated conviction and had entered deeply into the discipline of śṛṅgāra. Nowhere is his language pedantic, nor is there any useless verbal ostentation. It is crisp, full of feeling, powerful, and effective. He possessed a sound knowledge of rāgas and rāginīs and a beautiful experience of madhura-rasa. Pandit Ramnarayandas Ji occupies a distinctive place among realised saints who roam ecstatically through the kingdom of devotional feeling.

One point should be remembered: nowhere does he indulge in an unnecessary display of eroticism. Everything is spontaneous, beautiful, and exquisitely sweet; consequently, it is delightful to relish.

Examples from Bhajana-ratnāvalī:

Such is the beauty of Sri Janakaraj’s cherished daughter that millions of Ratis behold her and bow their heads in shame.
Just so, cloud-dark Rama is perfectly formed and the abode of noble virtues; millions of Cupids see him and are ashamed, for no comparison can be found.
Each is incomparable in beauty, each surpassing in youthful excellence; friend, the two are perfectly matched and are abodes of happiness.
Ramnarayan says: the companion considered the matter and declared that Sri Rama is a bridegroom worthy of this bride.

Lord, I am helpless and without a protector. I have entered your refuge; make me one who possesses a Lord. O Lord of the lowly, your beautiful devotion is magnanimous.
O Lord of Sri, allow me to remain each day in the company of saints. With joined hands I ask this boon of you, treasury of compassion.
I place no confidence in my own hands; my confidence rests in you, Raghunath. O Lord of the world, you alone are my support.
Lord, countless forsaken ones have gained a protector through you. How, then, could this Narayan fail to gain a Lord?

Sita’s Beauty

Friend, Sita—the destroyer of Rati’s pride—shines among the young women beneath the kadamba tree.
Her incomparable adornment from toenails to crown captivates her dark-hued lord.
Her body is delicate as a flower; crimson colour beautifies the central parting of her hair.
A lovely moon-shaped ornament graces her head and produces an exquisite splendour.
A jewelled bindī gleams upon her forehead, together with a most beautiful line of sandal paste.
Her arched brows are Cupid’s bow, her eyes his arrows, made lovely with collyrium.
Golden earrings, set with pearls and tiny bells, adorn her ears, friend.
Fine curls shine upon her lovely cheeks like slender young serpents.