Appendix A: Mahāvāṇī

“They Mount the Chariot and Go to the Sarayu’s Bank”

They mount the chariot and go to the Sarayu’s bank:
Mithilesh’s daughter, mistress of rasikas, and Sri Raghubir, the divine rasika.
It is the first month of the rains, Ashadha, and the three kinds of wind blow abundantly.
Proud clouds surge and mass together; the deep sound of thunder fills the sky.
Dark and fair, their lovely limbs are finely dressed in flower-coloured cloth.
Hold the mind steady and behold the beauty of the gems set in their ornaments.
The green ground is divided by gold and inlaid with companies of jewels and diamonds.
Green trees grow densely, and sweet-voiced birds and parrots call.
Countless companions sing accomplished songs and melodic phrases in every direction.
Yugal Priya says: the lovely Couple descend from the chariot and honour the mind’s sacred waters.

“Dark Clouds Have Surged and Gathered”

Dark clouds have surged and gathered.
Dasharatha’s son and dear Janaka’s daughter sit with the companions upon the palace terrace.
Flower-coloured garments shine upon the Couple’s bodies, while the radiance of their ornaments sparkles.
Their locks lie scattered over their faces; crown and moon-ornament sway charmingly.
Candrāvatī strikes the mṛdaṅga, and Candrā develops the tānpūrā’s melodic line.
Candrakalā plays the vīṇā, while darling and beloved sing, filled with ardour.
The Sarayu’s current has greatly risen; they behold its full, delightful waters.
Yugal Priya says: seeing this inaccessible treasure of rasikas, even Rati’s lord offers himself in sacrifice.

“The Two Rasikas Swing upon the Sarayu’s Bank”

The two rasikas swing upon the Sarayu’s bank:
Raghunandan and Janakanandini, their compassionate bodies dark and fair.
Their beauty shines upon a jewelled swing, while a parrot calls above it.
Seeing their loveliness, crowds of companions sing on every side, filled with love.
Vīṇā, mṛdaṅga, upaṅga, and drums sound in a deep rhythm.
Yugal Priya says: great happiness rains whenever they develop the solemn melodic phrase.

“The Ever-Young Beloved Swings with the Young Girl”

The ever-young Beloved swings with the young girl:
Dasharatha’s son and Janaka’s daughter, lovely, dark, and fair.
On the Sarayu’s bank stands the delightful Pramoda forest, crown of the world’s sacred ground.
At its centre shines a jewelled swing fitted with golden ropes.
The companion Candrakalā swings Hari, while Vimalā waves a fly-whisk.
Beholding this sweet play, Yugal Priya loses all awareness and understanding.