Chapter Eight: Literature of the Rasika Tradition in Hindi

Description of Sri Rama from Toenails to Crown

Supremely crimson, exceedingly soft and delicate are those excellent lotus feet.
Their colour is neither crimson powder nor the young sun, but a unique manifestation of beauty.

Every auspicious mark shines perfectly. Upon the right foot appears the svastika;
An octagon and plantain, plough and pestle, serpent, arrow, and cloth;
Lotus, chariot, sacred leaf, celestial tree, goad, and incomparable banner;
Crown, discus, throne, the staff of restraint, and the staff that burns away Yama’s power;
Parasol, fly-whisk, human figure, and victory garland—these are the twenty-four marks upon the sole of the right foot.

Now the marks upon the left foot are described: the Sarayu River, a cow’s hoof-print, and the Earth;
Pitcher, banner, rose-apple fruit, crescent moon, conch, and the enchanting lunar orb;
Hexagon, triangle, mace, life-symbol, and lovely point;
Spear, nectar, beautiful lotus, fish, full moon, and sacred city;
Vina, flute, bow, quiver, swan, and moon ornament.

These forty-eight marks reside eternally in Rama’s feet
And forever bestow happiness and auspiciousness upon Mathura Prasad and all noble people.

These same lines appear upon Sita’s feet,
With the signs of right and left exchanged.
The tortoise and Love’s other emblems shine upon the upper feet;
Anklets and other ornaments display excellent beauty.
The graceful toes and big toes shine with the light of their nails,
Like pearls set upon seats of lotus petals.
Both feet are beautifully adorned with crimson dye;
Seeing their design, Brahma himself admits defeat.
Excellent rings shine upon those lotus feet,
Red as the tongue of Love.
Paired bracelets gleam upon the lovely ankles,
And the thighs resemble stately plantain trees.
Her lionlike waist is exceedingly beautiful,
Encircled by a lovely, imperishable tinkling girdle.
A beautiful yellow lower garment shines,
Rebuking the radiance of the young sun and lightning.
Her navel is a lake, above it three folds and a delicate line of hair;
Upon her breast, pearl-gems appear like many swans flying toward that lake.

A graceful pendant and the sacred mark of Bhrigu’s foot shine upon the breast;
The excellent Śrīvatsa appears there, exquisitely formed.
His two immense and lovely arms are adorned,
Covered by the beauty of armlets and other ornaments.
Golden jewelled bracelets rest upon his hands;
Their wondrous lines cannot be described.
The light of fingernails and thumbs is beautiful,
And gemmed rings steal the brave heart.
In these hands bow and arrows shine,
Bestowing happiness upon gods and sorrow upon demons.
The sacred thread gleams across the graceful dark body,
Like an auspicious line of lightning upon a cloud.