Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 4, Shloka 3
कुशिलवगानप्रशंसा
The Commissioning and Public Performance of the Rāmāyaṇa
कृत्वापि तन्महाप्राज्ञस्सभविष्यं सहोत्तरम्।चिन्तयामास कोन्वेतत्प्रयुञ्जीयादिति प्रभु:।।1.4.3।।
kṛtvāpi tan mahāprājñaḥ sabhaviṣyaṃ sahottaram | cintayāmāsa ko nv etat prayuñjīyād iti prabhuḥ || 1.4.3 ||
After composing that work—the Ramayana—together with what lay ahead and with the later continuation (Uttara), the capable and far-seeing sage reflected: “Who indeed could properly apply this (poem) in performance?”
Rama, the tormentor of enemies, surrounded by his ministers and brothers occupied the splendid golden throne.
FAQs
Dharma here is the responsible transmission of truth (satya) and sacred history (itihāsa): a great work should be entrusted to a worthy performer so that its meaning is preserved and conveyed rightly.
After completing the Ramayana, Valmiki considers who could present or perform the epic effectively for listeners.
Valmiki’s विवेक (discernment) and responsibility—he seeks a competent, disciplined medium for communicating the text without distortion.