Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Many sports fulfil Love’s desires, while new bee-like companions hum.
Laughter and playful delight blossom like unopened buds, exciting Love to rush forward.
The handsome tamala-dark beloved, whose face gives happiness to Sita, places lotus arms around her neck.
They seem a vine and tamala tree clasping one another, filled with affection.

Friend, charming Shyam has stolen my heart.
In every way his astonishing form is incomparable; Kausalya’s son is the delightful treasure of noble people.
Without beholding that beauty my heart grows distraught, yet fear of father, guru, and elders prevents me from looking.
My heart surges to meet my beloved; apart from Ayodhya’s prince, who in this world is mine?
He pervades everything moving and unmoving and bestows happiness; Shyam has entered every hair of my body.
So compassionate, dear, and beautiful—how could the root of all virtues and strength ever be forgotten?

Vaiṣṇava-vinoda

Sri Vaishnavdas

This collection of love-centred songs composed by Babu Gaya Prasad, also known as Vaishnavdas, son of the Kashi resident Babu Kameshwar Prasad, was printed in 1903 CE by the Bharat Jivan Press in Kashi. It contains 105 deeply moving and sweet songs about the loving recreation and līlā of Radha-Krishna and Sita-Rama.

Example:

Sita and Raghurai swing upon the swing.
A beautiful throne set with gems has been suspended by silken ropes.
The swing hangs from branch to branch of a kadamba tree upon the lovely bank of the Sarayu.
Cātakas, peacocks, and papīhā birds call, while parrots join the melody.
“Sita-Rama,” my beloveds—utter their names and calamity disappears.
A dark cloudbank spreads across the sky and lightning reveals its flash.
Tiny drops fall upon her bodice while the eastern wind blows.
Lovely women sing Rāga Malhār, accompanied by drum and mṛdaṅga.
The gods joyfully mount their aerial cars and pour down a rain of flowers.
Rama’s face is dark as a raincloud; its beauty cannot be described.
Receiving permission, Vaishnavdas places a flower garland upon him.