Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 4, Shloka 26

कुशिलवगानप्रशंसा

The Commissioning and Public Performance of the Rāmāyaṇa

Devanagari script

दृष्ट्वा तु रूपसम्पन्नौ तावुभौ नियतस्तथा।उवाच लक्ष्मणं रामश्शत्रुघ्नं भरतं तदा।।1.4.26।।

Transliteration

dṛṣṭvā tu rūpasampannau tāv ubhau niyatas tathā | uvāca lakṣmaṇaṃ rāmaḥ śatrughnaṃ bharataṃ tadā || 1.4.26 ||

Translation

Voyant ces deux jeunes gens d’une beauté accomplie, Rāma, calme et maître de lui, s’adressa alors à Lakṣmaṇa, à Śatrughna et à Bharata.

Word by Word

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriyā-hetu (पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛṣṭvā (कृदन्त; √dṛś (दृश्) + क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव (gerund)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; contrast/emphasis)

• रूपसम्पन्नौ: endowed with beauty, handsome
• रूपसम्पन्नौ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण; of तौ उभौ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rūpa + sampanna (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP) विशेषण (endowed with beauty)

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karma (कर्म/Object of दृष्ट्वा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन

• उभौ: both
• उभौ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन; विशेषण

• नियतः: self-controlled, composed
• नियतः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण; of रामः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niyata (कृदन्त; √yam (यम्) + नि + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण

• तथा: thus, in that manner
• तथा: Viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb: 'thus/so')

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (वच्) (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• लक्ष्मणम्: Lakshmana
• लक्ष्मणम्: Karma (कर्म; addressee as object of speech)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• रामः: Rama
• रामः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• शत्रुघ्नम्: Shatrughna
• शत्रुघ्नम्: Karma (कर्म; addressee)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śatrughna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; (शत्रून् हन्ति इति)

• भरतम्: Bharata
• भरतम्: Karma (कर्म; addressee)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bharata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb)

Context

Both of them, with good and ample voice, chanted the kavya in a distinctly meaningful way. Tuning their stringed instruments, they sang melodiously and engagingly.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana
• Shatrughna
• Bharata
• Kusha
• Lava

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed as restraint and measured speech: even in surprise or curiosity, Rama remains niyata (self-governed) before speaking and acting.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama notices the two impressive young reciters (Kuśa and Lava) and turns to speak to his brothers present in the assembly.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s आत्मसंयम (self-control) and leadership—he engages others through orderly address rather than impulsive reaction.