Shloka 1.4.23
कुशिलवगानप्रशंसा — The Commissioning and Public Performance of the Rāmāyaṇa
अभिगीतमिदं गीतं सर्वगीतेषु कोविदौ।आयुष्यं पुष्टिजनकं सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम्।।1.4.22।। प्रशस्यमानौ सर्वत्र कदाचित्तत्र गायकौ ।रथ्यासु राजमार्गेषु ददर्श भरताग्रज:।।1.4.23।।
praśasyamānau sarvatra kadācit tatra gāyakau | rathyāsu rājamārgeṣu dadarśa bharatāgrajaḥ || 1.4.23 ||
Praised everywhere, once Rāma—Bharata’s elder brother—saw there the two singers as they performed in the streets and along the royal highways.
The two singers, proficient in all kinds of notes recited the epic in the streets and on the principal roads. It was pleasing to hear for all. It gave long life and prosperity to the listeners. People admired them. Once Rama happened to see them.
Dharma moves from private learning to public good: righteous narration circulates in society and reaches even the king, linking governance with moral tradition.
While Kuśa and Lava sing publicly and receive acclaim, Rāma happens to see them.
Rāma’s attentive presence as ruler—notice of worthy voices in public space—and the singers’ commitment to sharing itihāsa openly.