Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Today Rama’s wedding is proclaimed; victory cries fill city and sky, and gods come in aerial cars to behold it.
A canopy is fashioned from jewels and spread with green leaves; divine guardians stand in every direction.
The four princes sit with the gurus beneath wondrously formed pillars, and extraordinary beauty spreads around them.
Whoever asks for whatever pleases him receives that very gift; the king gives freely with his own hands.
Haricharan has obtained refuge at the feet of Hari.

Raghava Ji’s eyes are drowsy.
His garment and turban are loose, curls scattered across his face, and his speech soft and indistinct.
Pearls have slipped upon his brow and glimmer through the curls, spreading beauty day and night.
He places one charming foot after another upon the ground; seeing his gait, even Love is humbled.
Servant Haricharan washes that lotus face—a happiness even Shesha cannot describe.

May the royal youth and maiden dwell within my heart.
On this side Raghunath is a dark lotus; on that Sita is a champak bud.
Raghunandan shines among his friends, while Sita appears amid her companions.
Crown and earrings adorn his head and ears, while Sita’s moon ornament gleams like the lovely moon.

Behold the lovely, excellent treasure of the autumn season.
In the centre of a plantain pavilion stands a throne whose radiance makes the sun appear pale.
On that night Ayodhya’s excellent prince shines accompanied by Sita.
Seeing their spotless moonlike beauty pour nectar, the full moon abandons its pride.
Servant Haricharan beholds the youthful Pair and his heart overflows with joy.

Friend, come today to Sri Ayodhya, where the royal prince plays Holi.
He wears spring-coloured garments, a fine robe and scarf set with pearls.
Behold the water-syringe in his hand and make your fortune bear fruit.
A captivating jewelled crown rests upon his head, adorned with a beautiful feather.
Seeing saffron powder scattered upon his brow and earrings, Love awakens throughout the body.
Hearing the Holi celebration, every fair woman dresses beautifully and adorns her limbs with the signs of married happiness.
Servant Haricharan beholds the Holi festival upon the Sarayu bank with intense love.

Hari dances during Holi in the royal lane.
He is accompanied by his friends and by Bharat and Lakshmana, all heroic in colour-play.
They seize the companions of Mithila’s daughter and break their strings of pearls.
Hearing the commotion, the beautiful princess and her sisters cast aside modesty and slippers alike.
Servant Haricharan beholds both parties overcome by rasa, with the Divine Couple at their centre.