Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Siyārāma-caraṇa-candrikā

Kaviraj Lachhiman

Siyārāma-caraṇa-candrikā was printed at the Jain Press in Lucknow and published in March 1898 by Seth Chhote Lal Lakshmichand of Bombay. It offers a deeply heartfelt meditation upon the lotus feet of Rama and Sita. The work is noteworthy from the standpoint of poetry in its pure form.

Examples:

The beautiful Couple’s feet are endowed with spiritual power and art, ornaments upon the earth and embodiments of Saraswati in the world.
Lachhiman says: their toenails are lovely rows of pearls, trembling waves within a treasury of Ganga’s nectar.
At the lotus feet of sovereign Ramachandra and Maithili shines a radiance whose generous fame spreads everywhere.
It cannot be found amid masses of lightning, from one shore of the ocean to the other, among limitless gems, or upon mountains of philosopher’s stone.

Brides of the gods rain auspicious grains, while celestial Kinnari women joyfully sing songs of blessing.
Lakshmi, Indrani, and pure Saraswati apply sacred pollen upon their broad foreheads.
The serpent maidens and goddesses of the directions bow even slightly and obtain the boon of fearlessness.
Filled with the radiance of the lotus feet of Maithili and Sri Raghunandan, they come to worship them.

Ramachandra’s lotus feet protect the three worlds;
Age after age they destroy the net of suffering that afflicts the people.
Sri Raghubar’s lotus feet are the root of bliss;
Meditating upon them, devotees conquer the world and Yama’s snare.
Sita’s fair lotus feet rest upon a jewelled throne;
Their philosopher’s-stone and wish-gem radiance burns away even the smallest fault.
Ramachandra’s lotus feet bestow elephants, chariots, and abundant treasure;
Anklets shower light upward upon his crown.
Ramachandra’s sacred feet are the month of Sawan;
Upon the forest of devotees they rain the nectar of the immutable abode.

Śrī Rāmacandra-vilāsa

Composed by Sri Naval Singh “Sridharan” Yugal Ali

A damaged manuscript of this work is preserved at Sri Hanumat Nivas in the personal library of Mahatma Ramkishor Sharan Ji Maharaj. The entire narrative is presented as a dialogue between Uma and Maheshvara. The first chapter describes Rama’s wedding procession: Bhagavan Rama, accompanied by his brother Lakshmana, travels through all of Mithila upon an elephant—