Shloka 1.4.13

कुशिलवगानप्रशंसा — The Commissioning and Public Performance of the Rāmāyaṇa

Devanagari script

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

Transliteration

ṛṣīṇāṃ ca dvijātīnāṃ sādhūnāṃ ca samāgame | yathopadeśaṃ tattvajñau jagatuḥ susamāhitau || 1.4.13 ||

Translation

In gatherings of sages, learned twice-born, and saints, those two knowers of truth—fully composed—chanted it exactly as they had been instructed.

Context

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.

Characters & Entities

• Kūśa
• Lava
• ṛṣis (sages)
• dvijātis (twice-born/learned)
• sādhus (saints)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Respect for instruction and truthfulness in transmission: dharma is upheld when sacred knowledge is presented exactly as taught, without distortion for personal display.

What is the narrative situation?

Kūśa and Lava publicly recite the epic before authoritative audiences (sages and learned elders), demonstrating both mastery and humility toward their teacher’s instruction.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Obedience to guidance (guru-śiṣya discipline) and mental composure—recitation requires both ethical restraint and focused attention.