Shloka 1.4.11
कुशिलवगानप्रशंसा — The Commissioning and Public Performance of the Rāmāyaṇa
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।।
rūpalakṣaṇasampannau madhurasvarabhāṣiṇau | bimbād ivoddhṛtau bimbau rāmadehāt tathā 'parau || 1.4.11 ||
Endowed with beauty and auspicious marks, speaking in a sweet tone, they seemed like two images drawn from an original—like two reflections as though taken from Rāma’s very body.
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.
Dharma is portrayed as continuity of righteous lineage and ideals—virtue and noble conduct are sustained through progeny who embody and transmit the same values.
The text poetically emphasizes that Kūśa and Lava resemble Rāma closely in appearance and manner, preparing the audience to accept them as authentic reciters of his story.
Saumya-vāk (gentle, sweet speech) and auspicious presence—traits aligned with ethical refinement and cultured conduct.