Chaṅdīdās himself loved a washer-woman following the rules of the Sahajiā cult, for according to Gupta Sādhan Tantra, a book of authority with the sect, a washer-woman amongst others, is a legitimate subject of such love for a Vāmāchārī Tāntrik. Here is the text of the above Tantra.[1]
"A dancing girl, a girl of the Kapali caste, a prostitute, a washer-woman, a barbar's daughter, a Brāhmin girl, a Çudra girl, a milk-maid, a girl of the Mālākar caste—these nine are recognised as the legitimate subjects for Tāntric practices; those that are most clever amongst these, should be held as pre-eminently fit; maidens endowed with beauty, good luck, youth and amiable disposition are to be worshipped with care and a man's salvation is attained thereby."
In purity and edifying influence, Chaṅdīdās's sentiments made a near approach to spiritual love; and he literally worshipped the washer-woman with the ardour of a devotee, though he himself was a good Brāhmin. Her name was Rāmī, and Chaṅdīdās says of her:—
"O my love, I have taken refuge at they feet, knowing, they have a cooling effect (on my burn-
- ↑
নটী কপালিকী বেশ্যা রজকী নাপিতাঙ্গনা।
ব্রাহ্মণী শূদ্রকন্যা চ তথা গোপালকন্যকা॥
মালাকরস্য কন্যা চ নব কন্যাঃ প্রকীর্ত্তিতাঃ।
বিশেষবৈদগ্ধ্যযুতাঃ সর্ব্বা এব কুলাঙ্গনাঃ॥
রূপযৌবনসম্পন্নাঃ শীলসৌভাগ্যশালিন্যাঃ।
পূজনীয়াঃ প্রযত্নেন ততঃ সিদ্ধঃ ভবেন্নরঃ॥
Gupta Sādhan Tantra.
