Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 4, Shloka 22

कुशिलवगानप्रशंसा

The Commissioning and Public Performance of the Rāmāyaṇa

Devanagari script

अभिगीतमिदं गीतं सर्वगीतेषु कोविदौ।आयुष्यं पुष्टिजनकं सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम्।।1.4.22।। प्रशस्यमानौ सर्वत्र कदाचित्तत्र गायकौ ।रथ्यासु राजमार्गेषु ददर्श भरताग्रज:।।1.4.23।।

Transliteration

abhigītam idaṃ gītaṃ sarvagīteṣu kovidau | āyuṣyaṃ puṣṭijanakaṃ sarvaśrutimanoharam || 1.4.22 ||

Translation

Versados en toda clase de canto, los dos entonaron excelentemente este poema: grato a todo oyente, otorgador de larga vida y generador de vigor y bienestar.

Word by Word

• अभिगीतम्: well sung
• अभिगीतम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण; of गीतम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhigīta (कृदन्त; √gai (गै) + अभि + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP) विशेषण

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• गीतम्: song, chant
• गीतम्: Karma (कर्म; object understood with praise)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gīta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सर्वगीतेषु: among all songs
• सर्वगीतेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva + gīta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/locative), बहुवचन; अधिकरण

• कोविदौ: the two skilled ones
• कोविदौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kovida (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• आयुष्यम्: life-prolonging
• आयुष्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āyuṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (of गीतम्)

• पुष्टिजनकम्: producing nourishment/prosperity
• पुष्टिजनकम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: puṣṭi + janaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम्: delightful to all listeners
• सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + śruti + manohara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण; (श्रुति-मनः-हर) 'pleasing to all hearing'

Context

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.

Characters & Entities

• Kuśa
• Lava
• gīta (poem/song)

FAQs

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

Dharma-bearing speech benefits society: hearing righteous history refines the listener and is traditionally said to yield welfare—longevity and prosperity—through moral alignment.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration praises the excellence and beneficial impact of Kuśa and Lava’s public performance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Competence joined with public-spiritedness—using skill to transmit dharma-filled itihāsa for the good of all.