Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Lord, I petition you alone and petition no other; I depend upon no woman or man.
Swami Agradas sent the document to be written, bearing the signature of Dasharatha’s son in his own hand.

Śṛṅgāra-pradīpa

Sri Hariharprasad

This work describes, in lovely dohās, kavitts, savaiyās, and songs, the adornment of Sachidanandakanda, Parabrahman and Supreme Lord—Bhagavan Sri Ramachandra, son of Dasharatha—and of Srimati Janakasuta, Mother of the Universe, Maharani Sri Janaki. The author himself acknowledges that he became a recipient of Sri Janaki’s grace.

It was printed in Lucknow in 1886 at Munshi Naval Kishore’s press. We have obtained a damaged copy containing approximately 116 songs. The book may originally have been somewhat larger and contained additional songs.

One of its especially important features is the author’s ordered alternation of dohā and song. A point worthy of attention is that the author states the essential principle in an extremely suggestive form in the dohā, then develops that same idea fully in the song. The dohās employ exceedingly compact language. Their ability to fill very few words with the greatest possible feeling is extraordinary. As suggestive as the dohās are, the songs are correspondingly explanatory and descriptive.

Taken as a whole, one may say without hesitation that the poet possesses a remarkable power of painting with words. Wherever the beauty, virtues, youth, adornment, līlā, or disposition of Sri Janaki is described, the poet’s heart overflows with feeling. Śṛṅgāra-pradīpa makes it evident that the poet received the gracious gift of Sri Janaki.

Examples:

On one side a jewelled crest, on the other a moon-shaped ornament; earrings adorn their ears.
May Sita and Sita’s beloved come and dwell forever in the midst of my heart.

May this meditation upon Sita and Raghubar dwell within me:
One dark and one fair, both in the first bloom of youth—the very life of those who truly know.
Curling locks hang down, earrings sway beside their ears, and ornaments flash.
Smiling at one another, the two eat betel and feed it to each other.
There eternal spring diffuses fragrance beneath an uplifted canopy.
The two wander through that flower garden while bees and cuckoos sing.
How can the ignorant comprehend that secret happiness and its rasa?
Even the gods’ understanding cannot reach it; the Vedas and Puranas have grown weary.

At dawn Sita and Raghunandan wander with arms about one another’s necks.
Peacocks, bees, and cakora birds roam around them on every side.