Valmiki Ramayana 1.4.22-23: Bala Kanda, Sarga 4, Shlokas 22-23
कुशिलवगानप्रशंसा · The Commissioning and Public Performance of the Rāmāyaṇa
अभिगीतमिदं गीतं सर्वगीतेषु कोविदौ ।
आयुष्यं पुष्टिजनकं सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम् ॥२२॥
प्रशस्यमानौ सर्वत्र कदाचित्तत्र गायकौ ।
रथ्यासु राजमार्गेषु ददर्श भरताग्रजः ॥२३॥
abhigītamidaṃ gītaṃ sarvagīteṣu kovidau |
āyuṣyaṃ puṣṭijanakaṃ sarvaśrutimanoharam ||22||
praśasyamānau sarvatra kadācittatra gāyakau |
rathyāsu rājamārgeṣu dadarśa bharatāgrajaḥ ||23||
दो गायक थे जो हर तरह के गाने जानते थे। उन्होंने एक खास गाना गाया जो लंबी उमर देता है और आगे बढ़ाता है। सबके कान को अच्छा लगता था यह गाना। हर तरफ लोग उनकी तारीफ कर रहे थे। एक बार राम ने उन्हे देखा, वो सड़कों और रास्ते पर गाना गा रहे थे। राम, भरत का बड़ा भाई, वहीं से गुज़रा।
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.
FAQs
The verse illustrates how sacred art and storytelling serve society by granting longevity (āyuṣyam) and prosperity (puṣṭi) to listeners. The Dharma of artists is to share knowledge that uplifts society, while the Dharma of a righteous king (Rama) includes recognizing and honoring such virtuous performers.
Kusa and Lava are performing public recitations of the Ramayana in the streets and royal roads of Ayodhya, receiving widespread praise. Lord Rama, referred to as Bharata's elder brother, happens to see them during one such performance, setting the stage for their eventual meeting.
The virtue of artistic excellence combined with selfless service is emphasized. The singers are 'kovidau' (expert) in their craft, and their performance benefits all listeners with longevity and prosperity. Rama's attentiveness to the performers shows his appreciation for Dharma propagated through art.
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Valmiki Ramayana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.