Bala Kanda, Sarga 4

प्राप्तराज्यस्य रामस्य वाल्मीकिर्भगवानृषि:। चकार चरितं कृत्स्नं विचित्रपदमात्मवान्।।1.4.1।।

prāptarājyasya rāmasya vālmīkirbhagavānṛṣi:| cakāra caritaṃ kṛtsnaṃ vicitrapadamātmavān

The divine sage Valmiki, composed in wonderful lines the entire lifestory of Rama who regained his kingdom.

चतुर्विंशत्सहस्राणि श्लोकानामुक्तवानृषि:। तथा सर्गशतान्पञ्च षट्काण्डानि तथोत्तरम् ।।1.4.2।।

caturviṃśatsahasrāṇi ślokānāmuktavānṛṣi:| tathā sargaśatānpañca ṣaṭkāṇḍāni tathottaram

Sage Valmiki composed the Ramayanam in twentyfour thousand verses in six kandas and also Uttarakanda (consisting of five hundred cantos).

कृत्वापि तन्महाप्राज्ञस्सभविष्यं सहोत्तरम्। चिन्तयामास कोन्वेतत्प्रयुञ्जीयादिति प्रभु:।।1.4.3।।

kṛtvāpi tanmahāprājñassabhaviṣyaṃ sahottaram| cintayāmāsa konvetatprayuñjīyāditi prabhu:

The great intellectual and competent Valmiki having composed the Ramayanam including the events of Uttarakanda as well as future events, reflected as to who could translate into performance the epic.

तस्य चिन्तयमानस्य महर्षेर्भावितात्मन:। अगृह्णीतां तत: पादौ मुनिवेषौ कुशीलवौ ।।1.4.4।।

tasya cintayamānasya maharṣerbhāvitātmana:| agṛhṇītāṃ tata: pādau muniveṣau kuśīlavau

While the highly honoured sage Valmiki was thus pondering over, Kusa and Lava came to him in the garb of ascetics and bowed at his feet.

कुशीलवौ तु धर्मज्ञौ राजपुत्रौ यशस्विनौ। भ्रातरौ स्वरसम्पन्नौ ददर्शाश्रमवासिनौ ।।1.4.5।।

kuśīlavau tu dharmajñau rājaputrau yaśasvinau| bhrātarau svarasampannau dadarśāśramavāsinau

The sage saw the two illustrious princely brothers, wellversed in dharma and endowed with a sweet voice living in the hermitage.

स तु मेधाविनौ दृष्ट्वा वेदेषु परिनिष्ठितौ। वेदोपबृंहणार्थाय तावग्राहयत प्रभु:।।1.4.6।।

sa tu medhāvinau dṛṣṭvā vedeṣu pariniṣṭhitau| vedopabṛṃhaṇārthāya tāvagrāhayata prabhu:

Valmiki, the master, having found both Kusa and Lava endowed with intellect and accomplished in the Vedas initiated them into the Ramayana composed by him for the purpose of nourishing the Vedas.

काव्यं रामायणं कृत्स्नं सीतायाश्चरितं महत्। पौलस्त्यवधमित्येव चकार चरितव्रत:।।1.4.7।।

kāvyaṃ rāmāyaṇaṃ kṛtsnaṃ sītāyāścaritaṃ mahat| paulastyavadhamityeva cakāra caritavrata:

Valmiki who practised religious austerities composed this entire epic named the Ramayana which constitutes the great history of Sita and the killing of Paulastya (Ravana).

पाठ्ये गेये च मधुरं प्रमाणैस्त्रिभिरन्वितम्। जातिभिस्सप्तभिर्बद्धं तन्त्रीलयसमन्वितम्।।1.4.8।। रसैश्शृङ्गारकारुण्यहास्यवीरभयानकै:। रौद्रादिभिश्च संयुक्तं काव्यमेतदगायताम्।।1.4.9।। तौ तु गान्धर्वतत्त्वज्ञौ मूर्छनास्थानकोविदौ। भ्रातरौ स्वरसम्पन्नौ गन्धर्वाविव रूपिणौ।।1.4.10।। रूपलक्षणसम्पन्नौ मधुरस्वरभाषिणौ। बिम्बादिवोद्धृतौ बिम्बौ रामदेहात्तथाऽपरौ।।1.4.11।।

pāṭhye geye ca madhuraṃ pramāṇaistribhiranvitam| jātibhissaptabhirbaddhaṃ tantrīlayasamanvitam rasaiśśṛṅgārakāruṇyahāsyavīrabhayānakai:| raudrādibhiśca saṃyuktaṃ kāvyametadagāyatām tau tu gāndharvatattvajñau mūrchanāsthānakovidau| bhrātarau svarasampannau gandharvāviva rūpiṇau rūpalakṣaṇasampannau madhurasvarabhāṣiṇau| bimbādivoddhṛtau bimbau rāmadehāttathā'parau

The twin brothers Kusa and Lava, endowed with a melodious voice, possessed auspicious form and beauty. They were gandharvas in human form. They looked like the two reflected images of Rama. The contents of this epic, apart from being memorable are sweet and suitable for verbal recitation as well as singing. This charming and attractive kavya is fit to be adapted to the three measures of time and to stringed instruments. It possesses seven notes together with various moodsamorous, compassionate, humorous, heroic, fearful and also violent.

पाठ्ये गेये च मधुरं प्रमाणैस्त्रिभिरन्वितम्। जातिभिस्सप्तभिर्बद्धं तन्त्रीलयसमन्वितम्।।1.4.8।। रसैश्शृङ्गारकारुण्यहास्यवीरभयानकै:। रौद्रादिभिश्च संयुक्तं काव्यमेतदगायताम्।।1.4.9।। तौ तु गान्धर्वतत्त्वज्ञौ मूर्छनास्थानकोविदौ। भ्रातरौ स्वरसम्पन्नौ गन्धर्वाविव रूपिणौ।।1.4.10।। रूपलक्षणसम्पन्नौ मधुरस्वरभाषिणौ। बिम्बादिवोद्धृतौ बिम्बौ रामदेहात्तथाऽपरौ।।1.4.11।।

pāṭhye geye ca madhuraṃ pramāṇaistribhiranvitam| jātibhissaptabhirbaddhaṃ tantrīlayasamanvitam rasaiśśṛṅgārakāruṇyahāsyavīrabhayānakai:| raudrādibhiśca saṃyuktaṃ kāvyametadagāyatām tau tu gāndharvatattvajñau mūrchanāsthānakovidau| bhrātarau svarasampannau gandharvāviva rūpiṇau rūpalakṣaṇasampannau madhurasvarabhāṣiṇau| bimbādivoddhṛtau bimbau rāmadehāttathā'parau

The twin brothers Kusa and Lava, endowed with a melodious voice, possessed auspicious form and beauty. They were gandharvas in human form. They looked like the two reflected images of Rama. The contents of this epic, apart from being memorable are sweet and suitable for verbal recitation as well as singing. This charming and attractive kavya is fit to be adapted to the three measures of time and to stringed instruments. It possesses seven notes together with various moodsamorous, compassionate, humorous, heroic, fearful and also violent.

पाठ्ये गेये च मधुरं प्रमाणैस्त्रिभिरन्वितम्। जातिभिस्सप्तभिर्बद्धं तन्त्रीलयसमन्वितम्।।1.4.8।। रसैश्शृङ्गारकारुण्यहास्यवीरभयानकै:। रौद्रादिभिश्च संयुक्तं काव्यमेतदगायताम्।।1.4.9।। तौ तु गान्धर्वतत्त्वज्ञौ मूर्छनास्थानकोविदौ। भ्रातरौ स्वरसम्पन्नौ गन्धर्वाविव रूपिणौ।।1.4.10।। रूपलक्षणसम्पन्नौ मधुरस्वरभाषिणौ। बिम्बादिवोद्धृतौ बिम्बौ रामदेहात्तथाऽपरौ।।1.4.11।।

pāṭhye geye ca madhuraṃ pramāṇaistribhiranvitam| jātibhissaptabhirbaddhaṃ tantrīlayasamanvitam rasaiśśṛṅgārakāruṇyahāsyavīrabhayānakai:| raudrādibhiśca saṃyuktaṃ kāvyametadagāyatām tau tu gāndharvatattvajñau mūrchanāsthānakovidau| bhrātarau svarasampannau gandharvāviva rūpiṇau rūpalakṣaṇasampannau madhurasvarabhāṣiṇau| bimbādivoddhṛtau bimbau rāmadehāttathā'parau

The twin brothers Kusa and Lava, endowed with a melodious voice, possessed auspicious form and beauty. They were gandharvas in human form. They looked like the two reflected images of Rama. The contents of this epic, apart from being memorable are sweet and suitable for verbal recitation as well as singing. This charming and attractive kavya is fit to be adapted to the three measures of time and to stringed instruments. It possesses seven notes together with various moodsamorous, compassionate, humorous, heroic, fearful and also violent.

पाठ्ये गेये च मधुरं प्रमाणैस्त्रिभिरन्वितम्। जातिभिस्सप्तभिर्बद्धं तन्त्रीलयसमन्वितम्।।1.4.8।। रसैश्शृङ्गारकारुण्यहास्यवीरभयानकै:। रौद्रादिभिश्च संयुक्तं काव्यमेतदगायताम्।।1.4.9।। तौ तु गान्धर्वतत्त्वज्ञौ मूर्छनास्थानकोविदौ। भ्रातरौ स्वरसम्पन्नौ गन्धर्वाविव रूपिणौ।।1.4.10।। रूपलक्षणसम्पन्नौ मधुरस्वरभाषिणौ। बिम्बादिवोद्धृतौ बिम्बौ रामदेहात्तथाऽपरौ।।1.4.11।।

pāṭhye geye ca madhuraṃ pramāṇaistribhiranvitam| jātibhissaptabhirbaddhaṃ tantrīlayasamanvitam rasaiśśṛṅgārakāruṇyahāsyavīrabhayānakai:| raudrādibhiśca saṃyuktaṃ kāvyametadagāyatām tau tu gāndharvatattvajñau mūrchanāsthānakovidau| bhrātarau svarasampannau gandharvāviva rūpiṇau rūpalakṣaṇasampannau madhurasvarabhāṣiṇau| bimbādivoddhṛtau bimbau rāmadehāttathā'parau

The twin brothers Kusa and Lava, endowed with a melodious voice, possessed auspicious form and beauty. They were gandharvas in human form. They looked like the two reflected images of Rama. The contents of this epic, apart from being memorable are sweet and suitable for verbal recitation as well as singing. This charming and attractive kavya is fit to be adapted to the three measures of time and to stringed instruments. It possesses seven notes together with various moodsamorous, compassionate, humorous, heroic, fearful and also violent.

तौ राजपुत्रौ कार्त्स्न्येन धर्म्यमाख्यानमुत्तमम्। वाचोविधेयं तत्सर्वं कृत्वा काव्यमनिन्दितौ।।1.4.12।। ऋषीणां च द्विजातीनां साधूनां च समागमे। यथोपदेशं तत्त्वज्ञौ जगतुस्सुसमाहितौ।।1.4.13।।

tau rājaputrau kārtsnyena dharmyamākhyānamuttamam| vācovidheyaṃ tatsarvaṃ kṛtvā kāvyamaninditau ṛṣīṇāṃ ca dvijātīnāṃ sādhūnāṃ ca samāgame| yathopadeśaṃ tattvajñau jagatussusamāhitau

These two princes blameless, disciplined and wellversed, committed to memory the whole epic and chanted as instructed in the assembly of rishis, brahmins and saints.

तौ राजपुत्रौ कार्त्स्न्येन धर्म्यमाख्यानमुत्तमम्। वाचोविधेयं तत्सर्वं कृत्वा काव्यमनिन्दितौ।।1.4.12।। ऋषीणां च द्विजातीनां साधूनां च समागमे। यथोपदेशं तत्त्वज्ञौ जगतुस्सुसमाहितौ।।1.4.13।।

tau rājaputrau kārtsnyena dharmyamākhyānamuttamam| vācovidheyaṃ tatsarvaṃ kṛtvā kāvyamaninditau ṛṣīṇāṃ ca dvijātīnāṃ sādhūnāṃ ca samāgame| yathopadeśaṃ tattvajñau jagatussusamāhitau

These two princes blameless, disciplined and wellversed, committed to memory the whole epic and chanted as instructed in the assembly of rishis, brahmins and saints.

महात्मानौ महाभागौ सर्वलक्षणलक्षितौ। तौ कदाचित्समेतानामृषीणां भावितात्मनाम्। आसीनानां समीपस्थाविदं काव्यमगायताम्।।1.4.14।।

mahātmānau mahābhāgau sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitau| tau kadācitsametānāmṛṣīṇāṃ bhāvitātmanām| āsīnānāṃ samīpasthāvidaṃ kāvyamagāyatām

On a particular occasion both the great princes who were dignified and endowed with good features, chanted this great epic in the presence of honoured ascetics who assembled at one place.

तच्छ्रुत्वा मुनयस्सर्वे बाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणा:। साधुसाध्विति तावूचु: परं विस्मयमागता:।।1.4.15।।

tacchrutvā munayassarve bāṣpaparyākulekṣaṇā:| sādhusādhviti tāvūcu: paraṃ vismayamāgatā:

All the sages having heard the chanting (of that glorious kavya), experienced great astonishment. Overcome with tears of joy in their eyes, they praised them, exclaiming "Excellent, Excellent".

ते प्रीतमनसस्सर्वे मुनयो धर्मवत्सला:। प्रशशंसु: प्रशस्तव्यौ गायमानौ कुशीलवौ।।1.4.16।।

te prītamanasassarve munayo dharmavatsalā:| praśaśaṃsu: praśastavyau gāyamānau kuśīlavau

All the sages steeped in dharma, pleased with them, praised the admirable Kusa and Lava as they sang.

अहो गीतस्य माधुर्यं श्लोकानां च विशेषत:। चिरनिर्वृत्तमप्येतत्प्रत्यक्षमिव दर्शितम्।।1.4.17।।

aho gītasya mādhuryaṃ ślokānāṃ ca viśeṣata:| ciranirvṛttamapyetatpratyakṣamiva darśitam

How melodious is this chanting, especially the verses Though it (the events) had happened long ago, it is described as if it is happening at the present moment, exclaimed the audience.

प्रविश्य तावुभौ सुष्ठु भावं सम्यगगायताम्। सहितौ मधुरं रक्तं सम्पन्नं स्वरसम्पदा।।1.4.18।।

praviśya tāvubhau suṣṭhu bhāvaṃ samyagagāyatām| sahitau madhuraṃ raktaṃ sampannaṃ svarasampadā

They both chanted in perfect unison in theme and passion, with their charming melodious voice endowed with the rich notes of music (sadja and other).

एवं प्रशस्यमानौ तौ तपश्श्लाघ्यैर्महात्मभि:। संरक्ततरमत्यर्थं मधुरं तावगायताम्।।1.4.19।।

evaṃ praśasyamānau tau tapaśślāghyairmahātmabhi:| saṃraktataramatyarthaṃ madhuraṃ tāvagāyatām

Praised in this manner by the great sages commendable for their austerities, they chanted even with greater charm and sweetness.

प्रीत: कश्चिन्मुनिस्ताभ्यां संस्थित: कलशं ददौ। प्रसन्नो वल्कलं कश्चिद्ददौ ताभ्यां महायशा:।।1.4.20।।

prīta: kaścinmunistābhyāṃ saṃsthita: kalaśaṃ dadau| prasanno valkalaṃ kaściddadau tābhyāṃ mahāyaśā:

Pleased with the singing, one of the sages seated in the assembly presented them a pitcher. Another sage of renown got so delighted that he gave them garments.

आश्चर्यमिदमाख्यानं मुनिना सम्प्रकीर्तितम्। परं कवीनामाधारं समाप्तं च यथाक्रमम्।।1.4.21।।

āścaryamidamākhyānaṃ muninā samprakīrtitam| paraṃ kavīnāmādhāraṃ samāptaṃ ca yathākramam

This wonderful epic chronologically composed and completed by the sage (Valmiki), is the supreme source for poetry.

अभिगीतमिदं गीतं सर्वगीतेषु कोविदौ। आयुष्यं पुष्टिजनकं सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम्।।1.4.22।। प्रशस्यमानौ सर्वत्र कदाचित्तत्र गायकौ । रथ्यासु राजमार्गेषु ददर्श भरताग्रज:।।1.4.23।।

abhigītamidaṃ gītaṃ sarvagīteṣu kovidau| āyuṣyaṃ puṣṭijanakaṃ sarvaśrutimanoharam praśasyamānau sarvatra kadācittatra gāyakau | rathyāsu rājamārgeṣu dadarśa bharatāgraja:

The two singers, proficient in all kinds of notes recited the epic in the streets and on the principal roads. It was pleasing to hear for all. It gave long life and prosperity to the listeners. People admired them. Once Rama happened to see them.

अभिगीतमिदं गीतं सर्वगीतेषु कोविदौ। आयुष्यं पुष्टिजनकं सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम्।।1.4.22।। प्रशस्यमानौ सर्वत्र कदाचित्तत्र गायकौ । रथ्यासु राजमार्गेषु ददर्श भरताग्रज:।।1.4.23।।

abhigītamidaṃ gītaṃ sarvagīteṣu kovidau| āyuṣyaṃ puṣṭijanakaṃ sarvaśrutimanoharam praśasyamānau sarvatra kadācittatra gāyakau | rathyāsu rājamārgeṣu dadarśa bharatāgraja:

The two singers, proficient in all kinds of notes recited the epic in the streets and on the principal roads. It was pleasing to hear for all. It gave long life and prosperity to the listeners. People admired them. Once Rama happened to see them.

स्ववेश्म चानीय तदा भ्रातरौ स कुशीलवौ। पूजयामास पूजार्हौ रामश्शत्रुनिबर्हण:।।1.4.24।।

svaveśma cānīya tadā bhrātarau sa kuśīlavau| pūjayāmāsa pūjārhau rāmaśśatrunibarhaṇa:

Thereafter, Rama, the destroyer of enemies, having invited the two brothers Kusa and Lava who deserved honour. He brought them to his royal palace and extended respectful hospitality.

आसीन: काञ्चने दिव्ये स च सिंहासने प्रभु:। उपोपविष्टस्सचिवैर्भ्रातृभिश्च परन्तप:।।1.4.25।।

āsīna: kāñcane divye sa ca siṃhāsane prabhu:| upopaviṣṭassacivairbhrātṛbhiśca parantapa:

Rama, the tormentor of enemies, surrounded by his ministers and brothers occupied the splendid golden throne.

दृष्ट्वा तु रूपसम्पन्नौ तावुभौ नियतस्तथा। उवाच लक्ष्मणं रामश्शत्रुघ्नं भरतं तदा।।1.4.26।।

dṛṣṭvā tu rūpasampannau tāvubhau niyatastathā| uvāca lakṣmaṇaṃ rāmaśśatrughnaṃ bharataṃ tadā

Then selfpossessed Rama, having seen those very handsome brothers (Kusa and Lava), addressed Lakshmana, Satrughna and Bharata, saying:

श्रूयतामिदमाख्यानमनयोर्देववर्चसो:। विचित्रार्थपदं सम्यग्गायकौ तावचोदयत्।।1.4.27।।

śrūyatāmidamākhyānamanayordevavarcaso:| vicitrārthapadaṃ samyaggāyakau tāvacodayat

"Listen to this story sung by both of them, portraying excellent sense and words". Having said this, Rama urged the singers with the lustre of devatas to commence.

तौ चापि मधुरं रक्तं स्वञ्चितायतनिस्वनम् । तन्त्रीलयवदत्यर्थं विश्रुतार्थमगायताम् ।।1.4.28।।

tau cāpi madhuraṃ raktaṃ svañcitāyatanisvanam | tantrīlayavadatyarthaṃ viśrutārthamagāyatām

Both of them, with good and ample voice, chanted the kavya in a distinctly meaningful way. Tuning their stringed instruments, they sang melodiously and engagingly.

ह्लादयत्सर्वगात्राणि मनांसि हृदयानि च। श्रोत्राश्रयसुखं गेयं तद्बभौ जनसंसदि।।1.4.29।।

hlādayatsarvagātrāṇi manāṃsi hṛdayāni ca| śrotrāśrayasukhaṃ geyaṃ tadbabhau janasaṃsadi

The chanting of the kavya in the assembly of men comforted the sense of hearing. The listeners rejoiced in their mind, heart and the whole being.

इमौ मुनी पार्थिवलक्षणान्वितौ कुशीलवौ चैव महातपस्विनौ। ममापि तद्भूतिकरं प्रवक्ष्यते महानुभावं चरितं निबोधत।।1.4.30।।

imau munī pārthivalakṣaṇānvitau kuśīlavau caiva mahātapasvinau| mamāpi tadbhūtikaraṃ pravakṣyate mahānubhāvaṃ caritaṃ nibodhata

Addressing the assembly of men Rama said "Both Kusa and Lava, even though ascetics, are endowed with the attributes of royalty. Eventhough they are singers, they are ascetics. This is even conducive to my wellbeing. Listen to the meaningful story with concentration".

ततस्तु तौ रामवच:प्रचोदितावगायतां मार्गविधानसम्पदा। स चापि राम: परिषद्गतः शनैर्बुभूषयासक्तमना बभूव।।1.4.31।।

tatastu tau rāmavaca:pracoditāvagāyatāṃ mārgavidhānasampadā| sa cāpi rāma: pariṣadgataḥ śanairbubhūṣayāsaktamanā babhūva

Encouraged by the words of Rama, the two brothers chanted according to marga mode of singing (classical style). Even Rama who was in the assembly desirous of peace, concentrated his mind on that chanting. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये बालकाण्डे चतुर्थस्सर्ग:।। Thus ends the fourth sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana in synopsis of the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.