Appendix A: Mahāvāṇī

If my dark, affectionate beloved comes under the sway of my love,
I shall give him the nectar of my lips, encircle his neck with my arms, and play Phag beside him.
I shall cast red powder over his breast and cheeks and awaken Love within him.
Through the signals of my eyes I shall spray him and openly reveal every attachment.
I shall cover the beloved’s head with my veil and place his turban upon my own.
I shall make the dear one dance before me while I laugh and sing a rāga.
Whatever dear Sita commands, he does: she is deeply filled with bridal fortune.
Sri Kripanivas beholds this supreme joy, while the companions praise their good destiny.

“A Drop of Colour Fell upon the Dark Face”

A drop of colour fell upon the dark face.
It looked like a streak of gold tested upon Love’s touchstone.
His locks dripped as though a garland of clouds had become filled with the rasa of attachment.
Sri Kripanivas says: these unrestrained eyes have become helpless enemies before Sitavar’s beauty.

“Red Powder Has Touched the Dark Face”

Red powder has touched the dark face;
It is as though the dawn sun has appeared upon a blue lotus, its crimson rays sparkling.
His locks have tumbled over his face, dyed in saffron colour.
Like a bride arriving at the foot of a banyan, a lotus has become coated in crimson pollen.
Beholding this incomparable beauty, companion, affection is steeped in affection.
Sita and her beloved—the Couple are a treasury of beauty, each deeply immersed in the other’s loveliness.

“Beloved, I Know Your Ways—Do Not Throw Colour upon Me”

“Beloved, I know your ways—do not throw colour upon me.
All the companions of Sri Mithilesh’s daughter have come and assembled together.”
Hearing this, he shyly enchants her two eyes and speaks exuberantly:
“What can a multitude of women do? Come and fasten yourselves to my limbs!”
They clasp and drench one another; soaked in colour, their mutual battle intensifies.
Sri Yugal Priya says: seeing this singular Phag, the pride of Rati’s lord is shattered.

“Day and Night My Eyes Have Yearned without the Dark One”

Day and night my eyes have yearned, mother, without the dark one.
Whenever memory of beautiful Shyama comes, Love twists my heart, mother.
Without seeing Sri Dasharatha’s son, the lord of my life, there is no repose, mother.
Sri Yugal Ananya says: women scorched by separation desire union this very moment, mother.

The day on which I meet my beloved—Rama!—that alone is the blessed day.
Boundless eagerness for union swells within; moment by moment the face’s longing increases, O Rama—