Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Behold the exquisite beauty of the youthful beloved of Sita.
Smiling, he gazes upon her and clasps her to his heart, filled with tender affection.

They shine upon a delightful couch, attended by the entire company of companions—
The fair-and-dark abodes of beauty, the sovereign Pair and crown jewels of connoisseurs.

Samaya-rasa-vardhinī

Composed by Sri Siya Ali

A manuscript of this work, consisting of loose handwritten leaves, was found at Hanumat Nivas. It contains approximately ninety-five pages. The text is composed in kavitts and savaiyās. It begins with the greatness of the Name, followed by the greatness of Mithila and then a description of Sri Sita Ji’s beauty.

Example:

She shines in a dark-blue bodice like lightning glowing within a cloud.
Priceless gems rest at many places upon it, stealing away the beauty of the crescent moon.
The loving companion has arranged rows of pearls with all the artistry of Kamala herself.
Beholding the necklace upon Sita’s breast, darling Rama cannot turn his gaze away.

This is followed by descriptions of līlā and the sacred abode, and thereafter by the union of Sita and Rama:

At dawn the beloved awakens beside Sita, steeped in love; ten million Cupids sacrifice themselves to the beauty of every limb.
Upon the jewelled couch he holds his beloved in his lap; like a pauper who has gained a treasure, he fearlessly refuses to part from her even for an instant.
Heavy loosened tresses, forest garlands, necklaces, and disordered hair sway again and again, while their intoxicated eyes circle about.
They sway, turn, grow languid, and yawn together, then smile gently—O Rama Sakhe, they are dearer than life.

Hair has come loose; betel stain marks their cheeks; turbans have slipped and their garments are charmingly disordered.
A musk necklace lies across a breast smeared with vermilion; their spotless limbs are steeped in the colour of Love.
The beloved prince of Ayodhya bears upon his forehead and feet marks of crimson jāvaka dye—Rama Sakhe says that the youthful Pair are absorbed in affection.

Nitya-rāsa-līlā

Sri Siya Ali

A handwritten folio manuscript of this work, comprising approximately forty-one pages, is preserved at Sri Hanumat Nivas. It is composed in kavitts, dohās, and caupāīs. It begins with a grand and captivating description of the beauty of Sri Ayodhya, vividly portraying many kinds of flowers, fruits, trees, vines, and birds. Thereafter it describes the supremely auspicious form of the palace and, at length, the beauty of its bowers. It then turns to the meeting of the Divine Couple—