Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

They swing upon the swing, filled with love.
A colourful veil adorns Sita Ji’s head and a lovely turban crowns Rama.
They sing Rāga Malhār to one another as beauty spreads through the forest garden.
Vishwanath continually gazes upon their faces, rejoicing as delightful married love overflows.

Swing gently, gently, beloved—Sita is delicate.
That connoisseur of beauty, embodiment of rasa, is the support of the companions’ lives.
Her face is the moon, her eyes young deer, and her teeth and lips glow red.
Her body trembles and drops of perspiration shine; Sarayu Sakhi sacrifices herself.

In the centre of the pleasure palace, beloved and lover both swing while companions stand on every side singing Malhār.
A coral seat shines; lightning is ashamed before Sita’s beauty as streams of rasa pour through the cloud of his dark body.
Garments fly, hair loosens and falls across lovely cheeks, impossible to restrain.
Sarayu Sakhi says: today our sovereign Lady is filled with colour; friend, sacrifice body and mind upon beholding her.

The beloved lover swings beside his cherished woman.
Smiling gently, he increases delight, intoxicated by fresh youth.
Rain falls softly and steadily while dark clouds thunder.
Sarayu Sakhi says: beholding Sita and her beloved is our very life and breath.

Lotus-eyed Sita swings.
Friend, the gem-studded swing is an abode of Rama’s happiness.
Her fair radiance flashes upon his dark limbs like lightning within the cloud-filled sky.
Beholding the beauty of Maithili and Raghubir, even Love is ashamed.
The companions tease the woman by uttering her beloved’s name, delighting their hearts.
Sri Janaki will not speak it with her mouth, but gives the answer with her eyes.
They swing and swing one another, speaking sweet words.
In their own Ayodhyapuri, the Couple bring delight before every face.

Lotus-eyed Rama swings.
Janaka’s daughter shines before his face like lightning within a cloud.
Their hearts sway and their minds blossom as they nourish rasa.
She shines pressed against the beloved’s breast; beholding that line of beauty, Love itself trembles.
The two send the swing forward for one another and speak sweet words.
Seeing the rain-laden clouds, the leading women’s hearts fill with happiness.