जुगलभक्त पण्डितप्रवर नाम जु रामगुलाम वर॥
असनी मिरजापुर प्रधान दोउ राम उपासक।
वाल्मीकि वक्ता जु एक तुलसीकृत भाषक॥
भाविक प्रवर सुजान सन्त जन श्रोता जिनके।
लोक प्रसंसित विभव विरद किमि कहिये तिनके॥
परमहंस गुरुकृपा लहि रामायन सुख धाम पर।
जुगलभक्त पण्डितप्रवर नाम जु रामगुलाम वर॥१८१॥
The two eminent devotee-scholars were both named Rāmagulāma. These foremost worshippers of Rāma lived at Asanī and Mirzāpur. One expounded Vālmīki, while the other interpreted Tulasī's composition. Discerning saints and advanced devotees formed their audience. How could one adequately tell their renowned greatness, praised throughout the world? Through the grace of their paramahaṃsa guru, they reached the Rāmāyaṇa's abode of happiness.
काष्ठ जिह्व संन्यासनिष्ठ सियराम उपासी।
राम सुधा जानकीविन्दु सिद्धान्त प्रकासी॥
निरखि लोक भये मौन तदपि सब की सुनि लेहीं।
आगम निगम पुरान वचन लिखि उत्तर देहीं॥
रघुनन्दन लीला रूप रति काय वचन मन हठु गही।
श्रीराम तत्त्व पूरण कृपा काशिराज जिन सो लही॥१८२॥
Kāṣṭhajihva, firmly established in renunciation, worshipped Sīyā and Rāma. He illuminated the teachings of Rāma-sudhā and Jānakī-vindu. Having observed the world, he became silent, yet he listened to everyone. Drawing upon Āgama, Nigama, Purāṇa, and sacred testimony, he gave his answers in writing. With body, speech, and mind he resolutely embraced love for Raghunandana's līlā and Form. From the king of Kāśī he received the grace of the complete truth of Śrī Rāma.
अति अद्भुत रसिक विचित्र मति हरीदास भाविक प्रगट॥
बसि कासी विद्या विनोद वर सफल करी है।
रामतापिनी वेद भाष्य करि भाव करी है॥
उक्ति जुक्ति अनुप्रास व्यंग्य अवरेख प्रकाशी।
मत मतान्त पूरण प्रताप अति सुदृढ़ उपासी॥
भाष्य जानकी वल्लभी नाम धरयो अनुपम अघट।
अति अद्भुत रसिक विचित्र मति हरीदास भाविक प्रगट॥१८३॥
Haridāsa appeared as a deeply devotional rasika of wondrous and original mind. Living in Kāśī, he brought the noble delight of learning to fulfilment. He composed a Vedic commentary upon the Rāmatāpanī and filled it with devotional meaning. Its expression, reasoning, alliteration, suggestion, and subtle delineation shone clearly. Fully acquainted with many doctrines and their variants, he remained an exceedingly steadfast worshipper. He gave his incomparable and profound commentary the name Jānakī-vallabhī.
नृप कौसलेस जिमि एकरस रति वात्सल्य उदार मति॥
दुनियापति अतिधीर सरल चित नेह नवीना।
अङ्क लसे रघुलाल बाल छवि जल मन मीना॥
कौसल्या कैकई सुमित्रा सम सब रानी।
लली अली जे मिलीं वधू जिमि सब सनमानी॥
नित तीर्थराज प्रयाग माहिं अत्रनसूया अवनि तिथि।
नृप कौसलेस जिमि एकरस रति वात्सल्य उदार मति॥१८४॥
Like the king of Kosala, this ruler possessed single-tasted love and a generous mind filled with parental affection. Duniyāpati was exceedingly steady and simple-hearted, his love ever new. The child Raghulāla shone in his lap, like a beautiful reflection in the water of his fishlike mind. He regarded all the queens as Kauśalyā, Kaikeyī, and Sumitrā. Every girl and companion who came to him he honoured as a daughter-in-law. In Prayāga, king of sacred fords, the earthly visit of Atri and Anasūyā remained ever present to him.
राम उपासक छाप सुचि दिगविजयी देवा सुभट॥
दास अनन्य जु सख्य सन्धि प्रिय भक्त सहाये।
हस्तामल बहु ग्रंथ भेद विधि चर्चा भाये॥
पर उत्कट सुबोध धरा पर ध्यान लखावे।
प्रतिपक्षी नहि जुरै मुरै गूढ़ वचन सुनावे॥
बसि बुन्देल वर खण्ड कहि चित्रकूट माहात्म्य प्रगट।
राम उपासक छाप सुचि दिगविजयी देवा सुभट॥१८५॥
Valiant Devadāsa bore the pure mark of a worshipper of Rāma and was victorious in every direction. Single-hearted in servitude and joined to the rasa of friendship, he lovingly assisted devotees. Many books and their distinctions lay in his hand like an āmalaka fruit, and he delighted in disciplined discussion. His excellent understanding was intense, and he made contemplation visible upon the earth. No opponent could stand against him; they withdrew when they heard his profound words. Living in the noble region of Bundelkhand, he proclaimed the greatness of Citrakūṭa.
श्रीदेवा गुरु कृपा ते भरतदास रसिकन सुखद॥
जानकी वल्लभ मधुर कथा रस ग्रंथ उपासी।
अग्रस्वामि की रीति प्रीति प्रतिपाद्य हुलासी॥
चित्रकूट वन कुञ्ज कबहुँ मिथिलापुर धावे।
कबहुँ लसे श्रीवन प्रमोद तट भावे॥
रसिक सजाती जन मिले उमगत हिय गुणगन विसद।
श्रीदेवा गुरु कृपा ते भरतदास रसिकन सुखद॥१८६॥
Through Guru Śrī Deva's grace, Bharatadāsa brought happiness to rasikas. He worshipfully studied rasa-filled books telling sweet accounts of Jānakī's beloved. Joyfully he taught the loving way of Agrasvāmī. At times he hastened through Citrakūṭa's forest groves toward Mithilāpura; at other times he shone on the beloved bank of Śrī Pramodavana. When he met people of the rasika family, lucid hosts of virtues surged within his heart.
चित्रकूट वन कुञ्जथल विरति पुञ्ज ये भजन तट॥
श्यामदास वर वृत्ति गूदरी करपात्री।
सीताराम उपास्य नाम रत दास बिहारी॥
नातो दृढ़ विश्वास रसिक जन प्रिय मन भाये।
कृष्णदास अनुराग कथा वर विरद सुहाये॥
गान सरस वर मधुर पद हरिदास भाविक प्रगट।
चित्रकूट वन कुञ्जथल विरति पुञ्ज ये भजन तट॥१८७॥
These gatherings of renunciation performed bhajana along Citrakūṭa's forest and grove-lined banks. Eminent Śyāmadāsa followed the way of the patched cloak and ate only from his hands. Dāsabihārī worshipped Sītā and Rāma and remained absorbed in their Name. Firm faith was his sole bond, and his mind was dear to rasikas. Kṛṣṇadāsa was renowned for excellent accounts filled with love. Haridāsa appeared as a devotional singer of beautiful and supremely sweet songs.
श्रीराम उपासक विमल मति पण्डित माधवराम भल॥
गौड़ेश्वर अवतंस प्रशंसित पण्डित मारिजित।
क्षमा दया गुणसिन्धु सियावर भक्त अखण्डित॥
श्रीरामायण सुधा दृष्टि रसिकन सुखदाई।
श्रीअनसूया सरण सुवन महती गति पाई॥
चित्रकूट रासस्थली उत्तर श्रीसरयू सुथल।
श्रीराम उपासक विमल मति पण्डित माधवराम भल॥१८८॥
The pure-minded scholar Mādhavarāma was a noble worshipper of Śrī Rāma. An ornament of Gauḍeśvara's line, he was praised as the learned Mārijit. An ocean of forgiveness, compassion, and virtue, his devotion to Sīyā's beloved was unbroken. His nectarous vision of the Śrī Rāmāyaṇa brought happiness to rasikas. As the spiritual son of Śrī Anasūyāśaraṇa, he attained an exalted way. His beautiful place stood north of Citrakūṭa's rāsa-ground beside Śrī Sarayū.
श्रीरामदास इक सुजन भल रामधाम के निकट ही॥
चित्रकूट पयतीर प्रथम बसि नाम राम धुनि।
वाल्मीकि नित पाठ करत प्रिय कथा श्रवण सुनि॥
दृढ़ विश्वास उदार सन्त सेवा में प्रीती।
सीताराम स्वरूप जुगल पथ रसिक प्रतीती॥
श्रीपरमहंस साधक निपुण विपुल रहस्य न प्रगट ही।
श्रीरामदास इक सुजन भल रामधाम के निकट ही॥१८९॥
Śrī Rāmadāsa was a noble and virtuous soul who lived close to Rāma's sacred abode. He first settled beside the waters of Citrakūṭa, his life resounding with Rāma's Name. Daily he recited Vālmīki and lovingly listened to sacred narrative. His faith was firm, his heart generous, and he delighted in serving saints. A rasika grounded in the paired Forms of Sītā and Rāma, he trusted the path of the divine couple. This skilled practitioner in the line of Śrī Paramahaṃsa did not reveal its abundant mysteries.
कृपा जनकजा लहि सुखद मोहन रसिक उपासना॥
लली ललन वर ध्यान कुञ्ज महलन के बासी।
जुगल केलि पद ललित रच्यो रस ग्रंथ प्रकासी॥
उग्र बोध रस रीति प्रचुर मति रसिकन भावत।
क्रिया मानसी वृत्ति निरत मनमोहन भावत॥
शिष्य विमल ठाकुर सरिस वास अवध जग आसना।
कृपा जनकजा लहि सुखद मोहन रसिक उपासना॥१९०॥
Receiving Janakajā's grace, Mohana found joy in rasika worship. He meditated upon the maiden and her noble beloved and dwelt in the palaces of the grove. He composed graceful songs of the divine couple's play and revealed a book of rasa. His powerful understanding of rasa's method delighted rasikas in abundance. Absorbed in mental service, his inner activity remained intent upon captivating Manamohana. A disciple like the pure Ṭhākura, he made his seat in Avadha for the world.
जुगल जुगल मन भाव ते रसिक सजाती जुगल वर॥
पूर्वकाल यक रीति विलच्छन हाल भये हैं।
पद रचना इक दच्छ स्वच्छ एक प्रेम लये हैं॥
वृन्दावन अनुराग ध्यान यक खास निवासी।
ब्रह्मावर्त सुबास जुगल रस रीति उपासी॥
जुगल कथा प्रिय जुगल जुग चरण कमल हिय विमल सर।
जुगल जुगल मन भाव ते रसिक सजाती जुगल वर॥१९१॥
These two eminent rasikas of the same devotional family were both named Yugala, and their hearts shared the same sacred feeling. Their ways had once appeared different, but now they had become one. One was skilled and lucid in composing songs; the other had taken pure love as his sole possession. One specially resided in Vṛndāvana, absorbed in loving meditation; the other lived beautifully at Brahmāvarta and worshipped the way of the divine couple's rasa. The story of the pair was dear to both, and the two pairs of lotus feet rested in the stainless lake of their hearts.
श्रीहितहरिवंशीदास की वानी रसिक समाज प्रिय॥
उत्तम तत्सुख देत विरह भ्रम कहि समुझायो।
महा मधुर श्रृंगार भक्ति पर कथन सुहायो॥
राधाकृष्ण निकुञ्ज केलि के पर अधिकारी।
गौर श्याम छवि नैन बैन भक्तन सुखकारी॥
श्रीवृन्दावन वास थल लह्यो जहाँ रसराज हिय।
श्रीहितहरिवंशीदास की वानी रसिक समाज प्रिय॥१९२॥
The words of Śrī Hitaharivaṃśīdāsa were dear to the rasika community. He gave the highest joy and explained the delusion that can arise in separation. His beautiful teaching on the supremely sweet devotion of divine adornment carried full authority regarding Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa's play in the secluded grove. Their fair and dark beauty, present in his eyes and speech, brought happiness to devotees. He attained a dwelling place in Śrī Vṛndāvana, where Rasarāja abided within his heart.
हरिवंश चरण उर ध्यान धरि हित ध्रुव वानी विसद रुचि॥
वर विराग अनुराग कुञ्जवर दरस मानसी।
ताकी फल वर उमंग विपुल छन्दन सु भानसी॥
ब्यालिस लीला ध्यान रसिक जन के हितकारी।
राधावल्लभ छवि सुजोग जोगी बलिहारी॥
चली विरति सरि कुल निसरि मिलि अच्युत निधि सुखद सुचि।
हरिवंश चरण उर ध्यान धरि हित ध्रुव वानी विसद रुचि॥१९३॥
Holding meditation upon Harivaṃśa's feet within the heart, he possessed steadfast beneficial speech and lucid taste. His eminent renunciation was joined to love, and in mental service he beheld the supreme grove. Its fruit was noble exaltation, expressed through abundant and radiant metres. His meditations upon forty-two līlās benefited rasikas. Seeing the beautiful conjunction of Rādhāvallabha, the yogī offered himself entirely. The river of renunciation flowed out from his lineage and joined the pure, joy-giving treasury of Acyuta.
शिष्य मानसी विमल मति हितसेवक सेवक भये॥
सेवक वानी सरस पुत्रवत चन्द सुजाना।
दामोदर हित कृपा सुयश विस्तार प्रधाना॥
हित गुलाब अलि फौज रसिक वानी रस सानी।
चेद सखी अनुराग सरस किमि कहौं बखानी॥
रीति किशोरी अली वर सन्त विरद गायक नये।
शिष्य मानसी विमल मति हितसेवक सेवक भये॥१९४॥
These disciples possessed stainless minds in mental service and became servants of Hitasevaka. Sevakacandra, wise like a son, spoke delectable words of service. By Hit's grace, Dāmodara became foremost in spreading sacred renown. Hitagulāba, Aliphauja, and other rasikas steeped their speech in rasa. How could one describe the delectable love of Chedasakhī? Kiśorīalī followed this way, while new saints sang their sacred fame.
रूपलाल हित कृपा लहि रसिकलाल आनंदधन॥
धीरजलाल उदार बैन उज्जल रस गाये।
प्रियालाल अनुराग कथा वर कहनि सोहाये॥
हिय हुलस उल्लास रास रस गायक तेते।
लाल पदन की छाप लली पद ध्यायक तेते॥
विपुल भक्त हित कुल प्रगट जमुना कूल सुजान जन।
रूपलाल हित कृपा लहि रसिकलाल आनंदधन॥१९५॥
Through Hit's grace, Rūpalāla and Rasikalāla became treasuries of joy. Dhīrajalāla sang rasa in generous and radiant words. Priyālāla's excellent accounts of sacred love shone beautifully. Their hearts exulted as they sang the rasa of the rāsa. Bearing the stamp of Lāla's feet, they meditated upon Lālī's feet. Many discerning devotees of Hit's lineage appeared upon the bank of the Yamunā.
भगवत रसिक उपासना श्रीयमुना तट पुलिन रज॥
टट्टी कुञ्ज प्रधान तीव्र अनुराग विरागी।
वानी विमल उदार काव्य निर्दोष विभागी॥
विपुल रसिक जन सङ्ग रङ्ग निज तीर्थ लखायो।
कहनी रहनी एक टेक मेरे मन भायो॥
गायो रसिक सुजान रति मति मेरी गति मलिन तज।
भगवत रसिक उपासना श्रीयमुना तट पुलिन रज॥१९६॥
Bhagavat Rasika worshipped amid the sand of Śrī Yamunā's bank. Foremost in the secluded reed-grove, he combined intense love with renunciation. His speech was stainless and generous, and every division of his poetry was free from fault. In the colourful company of many rasikas, he revealed his own place of pilgrimage. His speech and conduct rested upon one resolve, which delighted the poet's mind. The discerning rasika sang of love, and the poet's understanding abandoned its impure course.
श्रीवल्लभजू के वंश में पुरुषोत्तम अनुराग वर॥
तिनके श्रीकल्यानराय रसराज उपासी।
उत्सव साज समाज सजत रसिकन सुखरासी॥
श्रीनन्देश्वर उदार बधाई गोकुल बाजे।
मनहुँ प्रगट श्रीनन्दराय यहि समय विराजे॥
अद्भुत श्रीगोपालजू मन्दिर गिरधर लाल पर।
श्रीवल्लभजू के वंश में पुरुषोत्तम अनुराग वर॥१९७॥
In Śrī Vallabhajū's lineage, Puruṣottama possessed eminent love. Śrī Kalyāṇarāya, who followed him, worshipped Rasarāja. When festivals and assemblies were adorned, they became treasuries of happiness for rasikas. Generous congratulations for Śrī Nandeśvara resounded through Gokula, as though Śrī Nandarāya himself had appeared and was reigning at that moment. Girdharalāla established a wondrous temple for Śrī Gopālajū.
धनधाम काम तजि विरति शुचि लाला वृन्दावन बस्यो॥
अद्भुत सुमति प्रकाश लता कुञ्जन प्रति छाई।
रसिक सन्त जन सर्व भ्रम सिन्धु विरद सुहाई॥
गोचारन वन लखे छक्के जमुना की कूले।
दम्पति चरण सनेह लह्यो तिहि सब सुख भूले॥
व्रति मधुकरी उत्तमा दशधा पावन धन रख्यो।
धनधाम काम तजि विरति शुचि लाला वृन्दावन बस्यो॥१९८॥
Abandoning wealth, home, and desire, pure and detached Lālā lived in Vṛndāvana. The light of his wondrous understanding spread through every creeper-grove. His beautiful renown guided rasika saints across the ocean of delusion. Beholding the cow-herding forest beside the Yamunā, he became overwhelmed. Receiving love for the divine couple's feet, he forgot every other happiness. Vowed to madhukarī, he preserved the purifying wealth of excellent tenfold devotion.
पारख परख्यो भक्ति मनि लहि प्रकाश सेवा सच्यो॥
हरि गुरु भक्तनि सांच प्रेम परतीति दिखायो।
नर तनया से प्रेत सुठर भल परयो सुहायो॥
उत्सव मेला सन्त समागम विरद उजागर।
मथुरा ब्रज में आनि द्वारिका पेख्यो नागर॥
सारङ्ग सुदर्शन सङ्ग लहि रच्छक जन कालहि बच्यो।
पारख परख्यो भक्ति मनि लहि प्रकाश सेवा सच्यो॥१९९॥
Pārakha tested and recognized the jewel of devotion, received its light, and made service true. He demonstrated genuine love and faith in Hari, guru, and devotees. Even through the death of his human daughter, a beautiful and ennobling transformation arose. His fame shone in festivals, fairs, and gatherings of saints. Coming to Mathurā and Vraja, this refined devotee beheld Dvārakā. Receiving the protection of Śārṅga and Sudarśana, he was saved from the power of death.
अग्रस्वामि रस रीति मति मौनी वृन्दा विपिन बस॥
विरति उग्र मति बोध सुहृद अनुमोद भावही।
मति अनुकूल अनूप चरित उज्जल जु ध्यावही॥
ध्यान मञ्जरी आप आय निज ठौर संवारे।
विमलादिक अलि पुञ्ज सहित दम्पति उर धारे॥
गोप्य केलि मत गोप्यरस रसिक सनेही निपुण जस।
अग्रस्वामि रस रीति मति मौनी वृन्दा विपिन बस॥२००॥
The silent devotee lived in Vṛndāvana's forest with his mind fixed upon Agrasvāmī's way of rasa. Intense in renunciation, discerning, warm-hearted, and approving of sacred feeling, he meditated upon incomparable and radiant deeds suited to his inner disposition. The Dhyāna-mañjarī itself seemed to arrive and adorn his dwelling. With Vimalā and the host of companions, he held the divine couple within his heart. Skilled and renowned, he loved rasikas and the secret rasa of the secluded play.