Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Sita’s beauty gives happiness to the eyes;
Beholding her form, even Rati loses her pride.
Her face possesses the radiance of many full autumn moons—the poet is defeated in seeking a comparison.
Innumerable bee-like locks shine upon her head, hanging in serpentlike strands.
Her fair and crimson-tinged limbs are captivating, and her womanly feet are red.
A moon ornament rises above the crimson brow and braid, dispelling darkness.
Ornaments and garments glitter upon her limbs; she wears a dark-blue sari.
A jewelled necklace rests at her throat and a flower garland upon her breast, flashing like lightning.
Uma, Lakshmi, Brahma, and the other gods worship Rama’s beloved.
Maharaj Das bows to the Couple’s feet—may they deliver one so fallen as I.

Friend, now behold Sita-Rama within the jewelled palace, their hearts filled with delight.
Rays of bliss-rooted beauty flash, spreading luminous play in every direction.
Today the companions form a splendid assembly; behold the flower-adorned bridegroom and bride.
These two forms are Maharaj Sudas’s very life—may they make love within his eyes.

Friend, behold now the beauty of the beloved of Love.
His face possesses the splendour of a hundred Cupids, and his glance purifies the mind.
His majesty equals that of a hundred Indras; upon the throne Sita sits at his left.
Gods, humans, sages, poets, and learned people sing his fame, while Shiva repeats his Name.
The minds of virtuous people are cakora birds gazing upon the rasa-forms of Rama and Sita,
Like the limitless and incomparable beauty of the autumn moon.

Their eyes are lotuses and paired wagtail birds, darkened with collyrium; yellow garments grace their bodies.
All the bee-like companions gaze upon the faces of Rama and Sita, drinking them at every instant.
Bowers beautify Ayodhyapuri, and swings are adorned with flowers and pearls.
They are fashioned from gold and jewels, with precious stones set on every side.
Reflections of Rama and Sita appear within them, stealing every heart.
Maharaj Das opens his eyes to behold the Couple’s beauty from toenails to crown.

Friend, behold the beauty of their swinging.
The gem-studded swing glitters with jewelled radiance like a palace of the moon.
Rama and Sita Ji shine upon it, their limbs dressed in colourful garments.
It is Sawan: vines and fresh green leaves abound while cloudbanks gather and roll.
Rain falls softly in every direction, and frogs and papīhā birds call.