Ashta-nayika -1, Virahotkanthita, Suffering separation

One among the eight heroine types keen (utkanthita) to end separation (viraha) from her beloved ____________________ My eyes long for one glimpse of thy visage That eludes me like a mirage, My arms ache imagining thy embrace When will I see thou face to face? All I desire, thy touch bereft for long, O come, enliven the lonely notes of my song, Come, let me remedy the cause Of thy leaving me, what so hurting was, Let not go waste this sandal paste on my forehead, Let not these fresh flowers fade, Nor kohl in eyes with my tears spread, This golden belt on waist, These silver anklets, all my ornaments, And womanhood of my garments, Join me to plead: O let no more time waste. ____________________ Natya Shastra | 01.02.2025 | Note: This is first of Ashta-Nayikas, eight heroine types, as classified in a Sanskrit treatise on performing arts in Bharata’s Natya-Shastra. The state (avastha) of the eight romantic heroines widely themed in Indian paintings, literature, sculpture, classical dance forms and music. Virahotkanthita, suffering separation, is the first of the eight such heroines depicted here in poetic form.