Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

White, green, and crimson jewels shine beautifully;
Beholding the courtyard’s splendour, gods and sages are enchanted.
Kausalya and the descendants of Aja attend upon the north;
In the eastern direction Hanuman offers reverence.
To the south stand Lakshmana and his lady Urmila,
Bearing arrows and bow, faithful attendants of the Couple.
Bharata and Shatrughna shine with supreme devotion, accompanied by the incomparable Mandavi;
Adorned with loving beauty, Shrutakirti serves the sovereigns of Raghu’s line.

As water is dear to the thirsty woman, flowers to the bee, and rows of blossoms to the lover of gardens;
As the sun is dear to the lotus, knowledge to sages, treasure to a pauper, and the pleasant season to the cuckoo;
As a son is dear to his mother, affection to kindred, and the shore of Manasa Lake to the swan—
Janmaharaj joins his hands and says again and again: may Kausalya’s son be just so dear to Sita.

As the lamp is dear to the moth, melody to the deer, the jewel to the serpent, and clarified butter to fire;
As milk is dear to water, the body to life, eyelids to the eyes, and the thundercloud’s cry to the peacock;
As the drop of Swati rain is dear to the cātaka, even sin to the sinner, Shiva to Sati, and Love to Rati—
Janmaharaj joins his hands and says again and again: may Kausalya’s son be just so dear to Sita.

As the bee continually drinks nectar from the flower,
So wise saints forever drink the sweetness of Sita-Rama’s rasa.

Lakshmi, Uma, and the consorts of Brahma long for Sita’s feet.
All the gods remain under her command, for she is the dwelling-place of the gracious sidelong glance.

Śrī Rāma-prema-mañjarī

Premamañjarī-vilāsa

This collection of songs describing the festival recreations of Sri Sita-Rama was composed by Sri Mahavir Das, also known as Sri Maharajdas Ji, the principal disciple of Sri Guru Huzuri Ji Maharaj of Sri Janaki Ghat, Ayodhya. With the permission of Pandit Sri Ramvallabh Sharan Ji, it was printed and published in 1907 CE by the Deshopakarak Press.

It begins with homage to the guru, followed by homage to Sri Goswami Ji and to the true preceptor; the inner circuit pilgrimage; songs celebrating Sri Sarayu Ji; songs celebrating Hanuman’s birth; meditation upon the sovereign Couple Sri Sita-Rama; and the relishing of their līlā-rasa—