Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

—the wretched elephants turn away their trunklike staffs in shame and even hide their tusks.

If no comparison exists, how can it be offered? Premsakhi says: only the limbs themselves appear equal to one another.

Every tree is bent beneath its burden of flowers; vines and creepers have become entangled and lean toward the earth.
Many kinds of cool, fragrant, gentle wind blow, while lovely dark cuckoos call kuhū, kuhū.
In lotus bowers, bee-like women roam with their beloved bees, drunk on honey and rushing through all ten directions.
The paired arms—those portions of Janaka’s daughter and Raghunath—sport forever along these forest paths.

Their fair and dark limbs make millions of bodiless Cupids feel ashamed upon beholding their beauty.
How fortunate is the moon! Their brows are bows, their noses lovely, and their paired eyes long and captivating.
Their lips are crimson, their teeth lovely jasmine buds, and curling locks fall upon graceful cheeks.
Both sets of shoulders and arms bear blue and yellow cloth; Premsakhi says Rama and Sita are our very life.

I shall dress you in a golden skirt and anklets and put a bodice upon you.
I shall arrange the blouse, feed you betel, place bangles upon your wrists, and fashion earrings.
I shall dress the parting of your hair, Premsakhi says, apply vermilion, then take you into my lap.
Having given you the form of a beautiful woman, I shall make you dance before our cherished Lady.

Crimson jāvaka dye has been applied; toe-rings adorn the feet and increase their beauty.
A full skirt circles around him, a harmonious blue-and-gold-worked sari and lovely bodice completing the dress.
Premsakhi says: ornament after ornament has been placed upon every limb, and the companions lead in the newly fashioned bride.
Auspicious companion, quickly present before Sita Ji this new daughter-in-law who has arrived from her husband’s home.

Phūla-baṅgalā

Sri Modalata Ji

This small work edited by Sri Modalata Ji is a collection of songs about the floral adornment and conjugal recreation of Bhagavan Rama and Bhagavati Janaki. The collection contains delightful compositions of many kinds.

Adorned entirely with flowers, the two shine filled with love; a season of beauty covers the flower pavilion.
Arms encircle one another’s necks and eyes gaze from beneath lowered cloth; loving devotees sacrifice themselves in the flower pavilion.
They smile gently and look into one another’s hearts; the nectar of mutual touch rains without limit in the flower pavilion.
The graceful vision is delightful; accomplished musicians sing while holding their instruments, and flowers are offered in the flower pavilion.
Blessed is our sovereign Lady and blessed Lord Raghava; Mod dances as cries of victory resound in the flower pavilion.