Shloka 1.4.21

कुशिलवगानप्रशंसा — The Commissioning and Public Performance of the Rāmāyaṇa

Devanagari script

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

Transliteration

āścaryam idam ākhyānaṃ muninā samprakīrtitam | paraṃ kavīnām ādhāraṃ samāptaṃ ca yathākramam || 1.4.21 ||

Translation

This wondrous narrative, proclaimed by the sage and completed in proper sequence, stands as the supreme foundation for poets.

Context

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

Characters & Entities

• Vālmīki
• kavi (poets)
• ākhyāna (narrative)

FAQs

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

Dharma is advanced by authoritative, well-ordered narration: a truthful epic becomes a standard for teaching and for responsible poetic creation.

What is the narrative situation?

The text characterizes Vālmīki’s Rāmāyaṇa as a complete, orderly work and a model for poets.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vālmīki’s compositional integrity—completeness, order, and reliability (satya) in presenting itihāsa.