Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

With lips upon cheeks and arms filled in embrace,
The companions sing singular songs of their amorous play.
As a dark cloud appears lovely upon a golden mountain,
So the beautiful golden beloved lies concealed upon her lover’s breast.

Jyeshtha, dark fortnight, first lunar day; Vikrama Samvat 1929.

Śyāmasakhe kī Padāvalī

This substantial collection of 445 songs by Goswami Sri Shyamsakhe was obtained at Kanak Bhavan, Ayodhya, from Sri Lakshmi Sharan Ramsanehi Ji by Seth Chhotelal Lakshmichand of Bombay. It was printed and published by the Lucknow Printing Press in 1938 CE.

This collection of songs devoted to the form, rasa, and playful līlā of the sovereign Couple Sita-Rama is unique in its manner. At places its language possesses a Punjabi character, while elsewhere one also finds a Bhojpuri colouring. It is important to note that Shyamsakhe Ji was not only a rasika devotee but also an accomplished singer. It is difficult to find elsewhere such fine and feeling-filled examples of all the rāgas and their rāginīs.

The language flows freely, and at places Urdu and Persian words appear with an especially charming effect. The entire Ramlila is included. Shyamsakhe Ji’s captivating descriptions of Sita and Rama’s meeting, swinging, seeing and touching one another, and separation are presented with a grandeur unlikely to be found elsewhere.

It is therefore difficult to resist giving several examples from this extensive work:

Today Sita and her beloved are steeped in delightful rasa.
My heart’s desire has borne fruit; the world has awakened, for Janaki has granted this boon.
Greed for their vision has increased within my heart, and I am distraught upon seeing those jewels of beauty.
Shyamsakhe says: O enchanters of a heart consumed by separation, may ever-youthful Sita and Rama dwell within my two eyes.

Come, friend—behold that dark-hued body!
Wearing the wedding crown, he is Sita’s bridegroom.
Earrings sway beside his cheeks;
The pearl upon his nose sends out waves of beauty.
He has seized and drawn away the heart of Mithila’s city.
His sidelong glance issues from collyrium-darkened eyes.
Shyamsakhe says: the image never leaves my heart—
Bracelets shine upon his hands, and a flower garland rests upon his breast.