शरत् प्रतीक्षः Waiting for Autumn

My stay in India during the beautiful monsoons constantly reminded me of Valmiki’s Ramayana where he dedicates an entire chapter on Rama’s description of the वर्षा ऋतु (monsoons) that beautifully mixes Rama’s excitement at the arrival of the nectar of life while lamenting Sita’s abduction and separation. He says to Laxmana:

नील मेघ आश्रिता विद्युत् स्फुरंती प्रतिभाति मे |
स्फुरंती रावणस्य अंके वैदेही इव तपस्विनी ||

“The intense squirmy nature of the lightning amongst the dark clouds reminds me of the woeful Vaidehi (Sita) squirming in the grasp of Ravana!”

Rama has to wait for chatur maasa to pass for Sugreeva to fulfill his promise of sending search parties to look for Sita.