Lava and Kusha Sing the Ramayana

Shloka 1 (bala.4.1)

प्राप्तराज्यस्य रामस्य वाल्मीकिर्भगवानृषिः । चकार चरितं कृत्स्नं विचित्रपदमर्थवत् ॥ 4.1 ॥

prāpta rājyasya rāmasya vālmīkir bhagavān ṛṣiḥ | cakāra caritam kṛtsnam vicitra padam arthavat

The divine sage Valmiki composed the entire life-story of Rama, now restored to his kingdom, in wondrous and meaningful words.

Shloka 2 (bala.4.2)

चतुर्विंशत्सहस्त्राणि श्लोकानामुक्तवानृषिः । तथा सर्गशतान् पञ्च षट् काण्डानि तथोत्तरम् ॥ 4.2 ॥

caturviṃśat sahasrāṇi ślokānām uktavān ṛṣiḥ | tathā sarga śatān paṃca ṣaṭ kāṇḍāni tathā uttaram

The sage composed twenty-four thousand verses, in five hundred sargas, in six kandas, together with an Uttara Kanda besides.

Shloka 3 (bala.4.3)

कृत्वापि तन्महाप्राज्ञः सभविष्यं सहोत्तरम् । चिन्तयामास कोन्वेतत्प्रयुञ्जीयादिति प्रभुः ॥ 4.3 ॥

kṛtvā tu tan mahāprājñaḥ sa bhaviṣyam saha uttaram | cintayāmāsa konvetat prayuṃjīyād iti prabhuḥ

Having composed it thus, complete with what was yet to come and its sequel, that greatly wise lord pondered: "Now, who indeed shall recite this?"

Shloka 4 (bala.4.4)

तस्य चिन्तयमानस्य महर्षेर्भावितात्मनः । अगृह्णीतां ततः पादौ मुनिवेषौ कुशीलवौ ॥ 4.4 ॥

tasya cintayāmānasya maharṣer bhāvitātmanaḥ | agṛhṇītām tataḥ pādau muni veṣau kuśī lavau

While that great sage of purified soul was thus pondering, Kusha and Lava, clad in the garb of hermits, came and clasped his feet.

Shloka 5 (bala.4.5)

कुशीलवौ तु धर्मज्ञौ राजपुत्रौ यशस्विनौ । भ्रातरौ स्वरसम्पन्नौ ददर्शाश्रमवासिनौ ॥ 4.5 ॥

kuśī lavau tu dharmajñau rāja putrau yaśaśvinau | bhrātarau svara saṃpannau dadarśa āśrama vāsinau

Valmiki saw that Kusha and Lava — knowers of righteousness, glorious princes, brothers gifted with fine voices — dwelt right there in his own hermitage.

Shloka 6 (bala.4.6)

स तु मेधाविनौ दृष्ट्वा वेदेषु परिनिष्ठितौ । वेदोपबृंहणार्थाय तावग्राहयत प्रभुः ॥ 4.6 ॥

sa tu medhāvinau dṛṣṭvā vedeṣu pariniṣṭitau | vedopabṛṃhaṇārthāya tau agrāhayata prabhuḥ

Seeing that intelligent pair, already well-grounded in the Vedas, the lord had them learn the epic, so that it might amplify the Vedas' purpose.

Shloka 7 (bala.4.7)

काव्यं रामायणं कृत्स्न्नं सीतायाश्चरितं महत् । पौलस्त्यवधमित्येवं चकार चरितव्रतः ॥ 4.7 ॥

kāvyam rāmāyaṇam kṛtsnam sītāyāḥ caritam mahat | paulastya vadham iti evam cakāra carita vrataḥ

That sage of disciplined life composed this entire poem under the names "Ramayana," "the great story of Sita," and "the slaying of the descendant of Pulastya (Ravana)."

Shloka 8 (bala.4.8)

पाठ्ये गेये च मधुरं प्रमाणैस्त्रिभिरन्वितम् । जातिभिः सप्तभिर्बद्धं तन्त्रीलयसमन्वितम् ॥ 4.8 ॥

pāṭhye geye ca mathuram pramāṇaiḥ tribhir anvitam | jātibhiḥ saptabhiḥ yuktam tantrī laya samanvitam

Sweet both to recite and to sing, fitted with three measures, composed in seven musical modes, and matched to the rhythm of the lute—

Shloka 9 (bala.4.9)

रसैः शृंगारकरुणहास्यरौद्रभयानकैः । वीरादिभी रसैर्युक्तं काव्यमेतदगायताम् ॥ 4.9 ॥

rasaiḥ śṛṃgāra karuṇa hāsya raudra bhayānakaiḥ | virādibhī rasair yuktam kāvyam etat agāyatām

—endowed with the sentiments of love, compassion, laughter, fury, terror, valour and the rest, this poem was sung by them.

Shloka 10 (bala.4.10)

तौ तु गान्धर्वतत्त्वज्ञौ स्थानमूर्च्छनकोविदौ । भ्रातरौ स्वरसम्पन्नौ गन्धर्वाविव रुपिणौ ॥ 4.10 ॥

tau tu gāndharva tattvajñau sthāna mūrcchana kovidau | bhrātarau svara saṃpannau gandharvāḥ iva rūpiṇau

Those two brothers, versed in the science of music, skilled in pitch and modulation, blessed with fine voices, appeared like Gandharvas in form.

Shloka 11 (bala.4.11)

रूपलक्षणसम्पन्नौ मधुरस्वरभाषिणौ । बिम्बादिवोत्थितौ बिम्बौ रामदेहात्तथापरौ ॥ 4.11 ॥

rūpa lakṣaṇa saṃpannau madhura svara bhāṣiṇau | biṃbāt iva uthītau biṃbau rāma dehāt tathā aparau

Endowed with beauty and auspicious marks, sweet of speech, they seemed like two reflected images risen from Rama's own form.

Shloka 12 (bala.4.12)

तौ राजपुत्रौ कार्त्स्न्येन धर्म्यमाख्यानमुत्तमम् । वाचो विधेयं तत्सर्वं कृत्वा काव्यमनिन्दितौ ॥ 4.12 ॥

tau rāja putrau kārtsnyena dharṃyam ākhyānam uttamam | vāco vidheyam tat sarvam kṛtvā kāvyam aninditau

Those two princes, having mastered in its entirety that supreme and righteous narrative — every word of it made ready for utterance — recited the flawless poem.

Shloka 13 (bala.4.13)

ऋषीणां च द्विजातीनां साधूनां च समागमे । यथोपदेशं तत्त्वज्ञौ जगतुः सुसमाहितौ ॥ 4.13 ॥

ṛṣīṇām ca dvijātīnām sādhūnām ca samāgame | yathā upadeśam tattvajñau jagatuḥ tau samāhitau

In the assemblies of sages, brahmins, and holy men, those two knowers of its essence sang it, with full concentration, exactly as they had been taught.

Shloka 14 (bala.4.14)

महात्मानौ महाभागौ सर्वलक्षणलक्षितौ । तौ कदाचित्समेतानामृषीणां भावितात्मनाम् । मध्येसभं समीपस्थाविदं काव्यमगायताम् ॥ 4.14 ॥

mahātmanau mahābhāgau sarva lakṣṇa lakṣitau | tau kadācit sametānām ṛṣīṇām bhavita ātmanām

Those two great and fortunate souls, marked with every auspicious sign, once sang this poem standing close by, in the midst of an assembly of sages of purified spirit.

Shloka 15 (bala.4.15)

तच्छ्रुत्वा मुनयः सर्वे बाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणाः । साधु साध्विति तावूचुः परं विस्मयमागताः ॥ 4.15 ॥

madhye sabham samīpasthau idam kāvyam agāyatām | tat śrutvā munayaḥ sarve bāṣpa paryākulekṣaṇāḥ

Hearing it, all the sages, their eyes brimming with tears, filled with great astonishment, exclaimed to the two, "Excellent, excellent!"

Shloka 16 (bala.4.16)

ते प्रीतमनसः सर्वे मुनयो धर्मवत्सलाः । प्रशशंसुः प्रशस्तव्यौ गायमानौ कुशीलवौ ॥ 4.16 ॥

sādhu sādhviti tā ūcuḥ param vismayam āgatāḥ | te prīta manasaḥ sarve munayo dharma vatsalāḥ

All those sages, lovers of righteousness, their hearts delighted, praised the praiseworthy Kusha and Lava as they sang.

Shloka 17 (bala.4.17)

अहो गीतस्य माधुर्यं श्लोकानां च विशोषतः । चिरनिर्वृत्तमप्येतत् प्रत्यक्षमिव दर्शितम् ॥ 4.17 ॥

praśaśaṃsuḥ praśastavyau gāyamānau kuśī lavau | aho gītasya mādhuryam ślokānām ca viśeṣataḥ

"Ah, how sweet is this song, and especially the verses! Though this happened long ago, it is shown to us as if before our very eyes."

Shloka 18 (bala.4.18)

प्रविश्य तावुभौ सुष्ठु तथा भावमगायताम् । सहितौ मधुरं रक्तं सम्पन्नं स्वरसम्पदा ॥ 4.18 ॥

ciranirvṛttam api etat pratyakṣam iva darśitam | praviśya tā ubhau suṣṭhu tathā bhāvam agāyatām

Entering fully into its spirit, the two sang it together, sweetly, passionately, richly endowed with vocal excellence.

Shloka 19 (bala.4.19)

एवं प्रशस्यमानौ तौ तपःश्लाघ्यैर्महर्षिभिः । संरक्ततरमत्यर्थं मधुरं तावगायताम् ॥ 4.19 ॥

sahitau madhuram raktam saṃpannam svara saṃpadā | evam praśasyamānau tau tapaḥ ślāghyaiḥ maharṣibhiḥ

Praised thus by those great sages renowned for their austerities, the two sang all the more passionately and sweetly.

Shloka 20 (bala.4.20)

प्रीतः कश्चिन्मुनिस्ताभ्यां संस्थितः कलशं ददौ । प्रसन्नो वल्कलं कश्चिद्ददौ ताभ्यां महायशाः ॥ 4.20 ॥

saṃraktataram atyartham madhuram tau agāyatām | prītaḥ kaścin muniḥ tābhyām saṃsthitaḥ kalaśam dadau

One pleased sage rose and gave them a water-vessel; another, greatly renowned, gladly gave them a bark-garment.

Shloka 21 (bala.4.21)

अन्यः कृष्णाजिनमदाद्यज्ञसूत्रं तथापरः । कश्चित्कमण्डलुं प्रादान्मौञ्जीमन्यो महामुनिः ॥ 4.21 ॥

prasanno valkalam kaścid dadau tābhyām mahāyaśāḥ | anyaḥ kṛṣṇājinam adad yajña sūtram tathā aparaḥ

Another gave a black antelope-skin, yet another a sacred thread; one gave a water-pot, and another great sage a girdle of munja-grass.

Shloka 22 (bala.4.22)

बृसीमन्यस्तदा प्रादात्कौपीनमपरो मुनिः । ताभ्यां ददौ तदा हृष्टः कुठारमपरो मुनिः ॥ 4.22 ॥

kaścit kamaṇḍalum pradān mauñjīm anyo mahāmuniḥ | brusīmanyaḥ tadā prādat kaupīnam aparo muniḥ

Then another gave a grass-mat seat, another sage a loincloth; and another sage, delighted, gave them an axe.

Shloka 23 (bala.4.23)

काषायमपरो वस्त्रं चिरमन्यो ददौ मुनिः । जटाबन्धनमन्यस्तु काष्ठरज्जुं मुदान्वितः ॥ 4.23 ॥

tābhyām dadau tadā hṛṣṭaḥ kuṭhāram aparo muniḥ | kāṣāyam aparo vastram cīram anyo dadau muniḥ

One gave an ochre-coloured garment, another sage a bark-cloth wrap; and another, gladly, a band for binding the matted locks along with a cord.

Shloka 24 (bala.4.24)

यज्ञभाण्डमृषिः कश्चित् काष्ठभारं तथापरः । औदुम्बरीं बृसीमन्यः स्वस्ति केचित्तदावदन् ॥ 4.24 ॥

jaṭābandhanam anyaḥ tu kāṣṭha rajjum mudānvitaḥ | yajña bhāṇḍam ṛṣiḥ kaścit kāṣṭhabhāram tathā paraḥ

One sage gave a sacrificial vessel, another a bundle of firewood; another an audumbara-wood seat; and some then simply pronounced blessings of well-being.

Shloka 25 (bala.4.25)

आयुष्यमपरे प्राहुर्मुदा तत्र महर्षयः । ददुश्चैवं वरान्सर्वे मुनयः सत्यवादिनः ॥ 4.25 ॥

audumbarīm brusīm anyaḥ svasti kecit tadā avadan | āyuṣyam apare prāhur mudā tatra maharṣayaḥ

Others, those great sages, joyfully pronounced blessings of long life. Thus all those truth-speaking sages bestowed their boons.

Shloka 26 (bala.4.26)

आश्चर्यमिदमाख्यानं मुनिना सम्प्रकीर्तितम् । परं कवीनामाधारं समाप्तं च यथाक्रमम् ॥ 4.26 ॥

daduḥ ca evam varān sarve munayaḥ satyavādinaḥ | āścaryam idam ākhyānam muninā saṃprakīrtitam

This wondrous narrative, proclaimed by the sage, a supreme resource for poets to come, was thus completed in due order.

Shloka 27 (bala.4.27)

अभिगीतमिदं गीतं सर्वगीतेषु कोविदौ । आयुष्यं पुष्टिजनकं सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम् ॥ 4.27 ॥

param kavīnām ādhāram samāptam ca yathā kramam | abhigītam idam gītam sarva gīteṣu kovidau

This song, sung by those two experts in all forms of music, bestows long life and prosperity, and is delightful to every ear.

Shloka 28 (bala.4.28)

प्रशस्यमानौ सर्वत्र कदाचित्तत्र गायकौ । रथ्यासु राजमार्गेषु ददर्श भरताग्रजः ॥ 4.28 ॥

āyuṣyam puṣṭi jananam sarva śruti manoharam | praśasyamānau sarvatra kadācit tatra gāyakau

One day, Bharata's elder brother (Rama) saw those two singers, everywhere praised, upon the streets and the royal highways.

Shloka 29 (bala.4.29)

स्ववेश्म चानिय ततो भ्रातरौ स कुशीलवौ । पूजयामास पूजार्हौ रामः शत्रुनिबर्हणः ॥ 4.29 ॥

rathyāsu rāja mārgeṣu dadarśa bharatāgrajaḥ | sva veśma ca ānīya tato bhrātarau sa kuśī lavau

Rama, the destroyer of foes, then had the two worthy brothers, Kusha and Lava, brought to his own palace, and honoured them.

Shloka 30 (bala.4.30)

आसीनः काञ्चने दिव्ये स च सिंहासने प्रभुः । उपोपविष्टैः सचिवैर्भ्रातृभिश्च समन्वितः ॥ 4.30 ॥

pūjayāmāsa puja arhau rāmaḥ śatrunibarhaṇaḥ | āsīnaḥ kāṃcane divye sa ca siṃhāsane prabhuḥ

That lord sat upon a divine golden throne, surrounded by his ministers and brothers seated close about him.

Shloka 31 (bala.4.31)

दृष्ट्वा तु रूपसम्पन्नौ विनीतौ भ्रातरावुभौ । उवाच लक्ष्मणं रामः शत्रुघ्नं भरतं तथा ॥ 4.31 ॥

upopaviṣṭaiḥ sacivaiḥ bhrātṛbhiḥ ca samanvita | dṛṣṭvā tu rūpa saṃpannau vinītau bhrātarau ubhau

Seeing those two brothers, handsome and well-mannered, Rama spoke to Lakshmana, Shatrughna, and Bharata.

Shloka 32 (bala.4.32)

श्रूयतामेतदाख्यानमनयोर्देववर्चसोः । विचित्रार्थपदं सम्यग्गायकौ समचोदयत् ॥ 4.32 ॥

uvāca lakṣmaṇam rāmaḥ śatrughnam bharatam tathā | śrūyatām etad ākhyānam anayoḥ deva varcasoḥ

"Let this narrative of these two, radiant as gods, rich in wondrous words and meanings, be heard well" — and thus he encouraged the singers.

Shloka 33 (bala.4.33)

तौ चापि मधुरं रक्तं स्वञ्चितायतनिःस्वनम् । तन्त्रीलयवदत्यर्थं विश्रुतार्थमगायताम् ॥ 4.33 ॥

vicitrārtha padam saṃyak gāyakau samacodayat | tau ca api madhuram raktam svacittāyata niḥsvanam

And those two, with sweet, passionate, and full-toned voices, sang it exactly to the rhythm of the lute, with clear and celebrated meaning.

Shloka 34 (bala.4.34)

ह्लादयत्सर्वगात्राणि मनांसि हृदयानि च । श्रोत्राश्रयसुखं गेयं तद्बभौ जनसंसदि ॥ 4.34 ॥

tantrī layavat atyartham viśrutārtham agāyatām | hlādayat sarva gātrāṇi manāṃsi hṛdayāni ca | śrotrāśraya sukham geyam tad babhau janasaṃsadi

Delighting every limb, every mind, every heart, that song, a joy to the ears, shone forth in the assembly of the people.

Shloka 35 (bala.4.35)

इमौ मुनी पार्थिवलक्षणान्वितौ कुशीलवौ चैव महातपस्विनौ । ममापि तद् भूतिकरं प्रचक्षते महानुभावं चरितं निबोधत ॥ 4.35 ॥

imau munī pārthiva lakṣaṇānvitau kuśī lavau ca eva mahātapasvinau | mamā api tad bhūti karam pracakṣate mahānubhāvam caritam nibodhata

"These two, Kusha and Lava, though sage-like and great ascetics, bear the marks of kingship. They tell of a story that brings prosperity even to me — listen now to this most noble tale."

Shloka 36 (bala.4.36)

ततस्तु तौ रामवचःप्रचोदितावगायतां मार्गविधानसम्पदा । स चापि रामः परिषद्गतः शनैर्बुभूषया सक्तमना बभूव ॥ 4.36 ॥

tataḥ tu tau rāma vacaḥ pracoditau agāyatām mārga vidhāna saṃpadā | sa ca api rāmaḥ pariṣad gataḥ śanair bubhūṣaya āsaktamanā babhūva

Then, urged on by Rama's words, the two sang on, richly versed in the rules of the Marga style; and Rama too, seated there in the assembly, gradually grew absorbed, his heart eager to hear more.