Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Dark and fair colours have become one, as though the Ganga of beauty had entered the ocean of love.
Supreme happiness spreads through every art, and fresh lotuses pour out ever-new affection and rasa.
A cloud of love suddenly thunders, then showers fall and the bee-like companions surrender their lives beneath it.
The companions appear as cuckoos and peacocks; hearing their song, even the sovereign Love is deceived.
The assembly shines on every side like a garden of delight filled with flowers and fruit of happiness.
Beholding such intense affection, ardour, and increasing recreation, Kripanivas’s eyes open in wonder.

Sita’s beloved swings upon the swing with his dear lady.
The beloved shows his affection, draws the rope with his hand, and sings the cherished woman’s virtues in supreme delight.
One companion gives a forceful, delightful push; the beloved pleads with her as waves of passion stretch through body and heart.
The beloved woman is drenched in rasa and signals with both eyes; the skilful companion gently brings their bodies together.
Their eyes meet and mingle in the play of rasa; beholding it, countless Cupids are enticed.
Love pours down as rasa and happiness grows immense; Kripanivas’s joy remains unbroken.

Today Sita secretly swings upon the swing.
The two place arms around one another’s necks beneath the palace canopy, while beauty and colour blossom upon their limbs.
The delightful force of passion sets the swing in motion, and the mind expands in play.
Beholding the beauty of Sita and her beloved, Kripanivas says that every companion blossoms with joy.

Today the love-drenched beloveds swing.
Hand meets hand, eye meets eye, and the two laugh and speak words filled with rasa.
Like the last abandon of Holi, affection overflows as fine garments lift and open.
Kripanivasi joins the hearts of the two, while Janaki’s bridegroom keeps a steady hold upon the rope.

Beholding this new manner of play, bliss increases within the companions’ hearts.
Their paired lotus eyes open wide as they continually gaze upon Sita and her beloved.
The moon of the beloved woman’s face and the lotus of her countenance release nectar; the bee-eyes of her lover
Drink that rasa day and night, never withdrawing even for an instant.
The necklaces upon their hearts become entangled with one another as the companions send the swing forward.
A sudden amorous push makes the youthful beloved leap and cling.
Seeing his dear lady exhausted, the lover gathers her fully into his lap.
Taking her upon his lap, he begins to swing, intoxicated by her moonlike face.
Seated face to face, they swing as a powerful sudden push propels them.
The beloved woman clasps her lover’s neck, and the bee-like companions relish that rasa.