Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

One companion ties the two garments together and places bridal crowns upon their heads.
They assume the form of a married Pair, and joy moistens every heart.
Sita and Raghulal swing in this way through the amorous play of the bower.
Then the treasuries of beauty proceed happily into the painted forest, a net of delight.
They shine amid millions of companions, embodiments of beauty and virtue;
Beholding them, Rati is ashamed, and every other comparison proves false.

Sovereign Sita swings upon the swing.
Shrutakirti, Urmila, and Mandavi—treasuries of beauty, character, and virtue—attend her.
The skilful companions set the swing in motion and teasingly call her beloved’s name with smiles.
Sita Ji remains silent in embarrassment, while the leading companion does as she pleases.

Sita swings beautifully upon the swing beside her beloved.
On the bank of the Sarayu, beneath the shade of a splendid banyan, she is surrounded by companions steeped in fresh affection.
She wears colourful, fragrant clothes and jewelled ornaments set with bright gems.
They sing colourful melodies in rhythm; Ras Malin sacrifices herself to them.

Today Sita and her beloved swing upon the swing.
Clouds thunder, lightning flashes intensely, rain falls softly, and peacocks call.
As her lover sends the swing higher and higher, Sita grows afraid and seizes the edge of his garment.
Ras Malin, Vimala, and all the companions dance to broken phrases of theī, theī.

Beloved Sita swings upon the swing.
It hangs in a bower upon the bank of the Sarayu from the branch of a celestial tree.
Her lover increases the force of the swing and sings in four melodic modes.
The frightened young woman presses her teeth together, while every companion laughs.
Sita sits fully absorbed in her beloved’s lap, filled with immense delight.
Beholding this playful rasa, Ras Malin says that even Rati’s lord sacrifices himself.

The youthful Couple swing upon the swing.
The dark-and-fair beloveds steal the heart, every limb exceedingly captivating.
Beholding the nectar-filled beauty of their ornaments and garments, the force of youth surges.
The two chew betel and look at one another from the corners of their eyes.
Laughing, the delighted companions sing and send the swing forward from both sides.
Beholding the Couple’s beauty, Ras Malin sacrifices ten million Cupids.