Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

My tender youth is slipping away.
My beloved left for a distant land while I was still young, and since then he has sent no news.
I have never joined eyes with him and never slept upon his high terrace.
Shyam Sakhe, take me where my beloved dwells; then I shall honour your petition.

Śrī Sītārāma-śṛṅgāra-rasa

Sri Maharajdas Ji

Mahant Mahavir Das Ji of Sri Janaki Ghat in Ayodhyapuri, also known as Janmaharaj, described the adornment of Sri Sita-Rama in dohās and caupāīs on the basis of the Mahā-Rāmāyaṇa. This short booklet was printed in 1915 CE by the Rajpali Press in Mutthiganj, Allahabad.

It begins with a description of the transcendental supremacy of Bhagavan Rama and Bhagavati Sita. This is followed by an account of the sacred marks upon the Divine Couple’s feet, then by descriptions of the divine abode Saketa and the eternal līlā performed there. It concludes with a declaration of love in two ghanākṣarī stanzas.

Example:

Divine Ayodhya

Upon the bank of the Viraja stands a beautiful city,
Supremely delightful, sacred, pleasing to the heart.
Divine Ayodhya is its name;
There the sovereign Couple Sita-Rama reside.
Twelve exceedingly beautiful fortresses have been constructed,
And in their midst stands one supremely captivating palace.
Its thresholds are coral and its doors flash like lightning;
Gateways of sapphire glitter brilliantly.
Its walls of gold and jewels are beautiful—
By what method could their splendour ever be described?
The radiance of ten million moons shines there;
Neither sun nor moon makes its dwelling within.
The pure halls of the palace are intensely fragrant;
There stands a delightful couch soft as foam.
Green and crimson gems gleam in the latticed windows,
Reflecting innumerable images of Rama and Sita.
Above them hang fringes of gems and pearls,
Glittering across the lovely courtyard.