Sarga 4: Kusa and Lava Sing the Epic
Kusilava Charitam
Valmiki completes the 24,000-verse epic and teaches it to his pupils Kusa and Lava, who recite it before sages and finally before Rama himself.
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औदुम्बरीं भृसीमन्य: स्वस्ति केचित्तदावदन् । आयुष्यमपरे प्राहुर्मुदा तत्र महर्षय: ददुश्चैवं वरान्सर्वे मुनयस्सत्यवादिन: ।।1.4.25।।
Meaning
Another gave a plank of udumbara wood; some pronounced blessings and others chanted for long life, and all those truth-speaking sages joyfully bestowed such boons upon the two brothers.
आश्चर्यमिदमाख्यानं मुनिना सम्प्रकीर्तितम्। परं कवीनामाधारं समाप्तं च यथाक्रमम्।।1.4.21।।
Meaning
This wondrous epic, recited by the sage in due sequence and now complete, stands as the supreme foundation for all poets to come.
अभिगीतमिदं गीतं सर्वगीतेषु कोविदौ। आयुष्यं पुष्टिजनकं सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम्।।1.4.22।। प्रशस्यमानौ सर्वत्र कदाचित्तत्र गायकौ । रथ्यासु राजमार्गेषु ददर्श भरताग्रज:।।1.4.23।।
Meaning
This song, sung by two masters of every style of singing, brought long life, prosperity, and delight to every ear. As the two singers, praised everywhere, performed in the streets and royal roads, Rama himself, elder among his brothers, happened to see them.
स्ववेश्म चानीय तदा भ्रातरौ स कुशीलवौ। पूजयामास पूजार्हौ रामश्शत्रुनिबर्हण:।।1.4.24।।
Meaning
Rama, destroyer of his foes, then brought the two brothers who deserved every honor to his own palace and welcomed them with reverence.
आसीन: काञ्चने दिव्ये स च सिंहासने प्रभु:। उपोपविष्टस्सचिवैर्भ्रातृभिश्च परन्तप:।।1.4.25।।
Meaning
Rama, tormentor of his enemies, sat upon his splendid golden throne, surrounded by his ministers and his brothers.
दृष्ट्वा तु रूपसम्पन्नौ तावुभौ नियतस्तथा। उवाच लक्ष्मणं रामश्शत्रुघ्नं भरतं तदा।।1.4.26।।
Meaning
Seeing the two handsome, composed young men before him, Rama turned and spoke to Lakshmana, Shatrughna, and Bharata.
श्रूयतामिदमाख्यानमनयोर्देववर्चसो:। विचित्रार्थपदं सम्यग्गायकौ तावचोदयत्।।1.4.27।।
Meaning
"Listen to this tale, told in beautiful words and meanings, sung by these two who shine like gods," Rama said, urging the singers to begin.
तौ चापि मधुरं रक्तं स्वञ्चितायतनिस्वनम् । तन्त्रीलयवदत्यर्थं विश्रुतार्थमगायताम् ।।1.4.28।।
Meaning
Both of them then sang sweetly and entrancingly, their full, rich voices tuned to their stringed instruments, the meaning shining through clearly.
ह्लादयत्सर्वगात्राणि मनांसि हृदयानि च। श्रोत्राश्रयसुखं गेयं तद्बभौ जनसंसदि।।1.4.29।।
Meaning
The song, delighting every limb, mind and heart, comforting to the ear, shone brilliantly before that gathered assembly.
इमौ मुनी पार्थिवलक्षणान्वितौ कुशीलवौ चैव महातपस्विनौ। ममापि तद्भूतिकरं प्रवक्ष्यते महानुभावं चरितं निबोधत।।1.4.30।।
Meaning
"These two sages, Kusa and Lava, though great ascetics, carry the marks of royalty. Even for me this story to come will be for my own good — listen closely," Rama told the assembly.