Valmiki Ramayana 1.4.22-23: Bala Kanda, Sarga 4, Shlokas 22-23

कुशिलवगानप्रशंसा · The Commissioning and Public Performance of the Rāmāyaṇa

Narrated by ValmikiSetting: AyodhyaPlaces named: royal roads, streets

Devanagari script

अभिगीतमिदं गीतं सर्वगीतेषु कोविदौ ।

आयुष्यं पुष्टिजनकं सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम् ॥२२॥

प्रशस्यमानौ सर्वत्र कदाचित्तत्र गायकौ ।

रथ्यासु राजमार्गेषु ददर्श भरताग्रजः ॥२३॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 1.4.22-23

Transliteration

abhigītamidaṃ gītaṃ sarvagīteṣu kovidau |

āyuṣyaṃ puṣṭijanakaṃ sarvaśrutimanoharam ||22||

praśasyamānau sarvatra kadācittatra gāyakau |

rathyāsu rājamārgeṣu dadarśa bharatāgrajaḥ ||23||

Translation

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।

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Word by Word

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sandhi Notes

• अभिगीतमिदम् = अभिगीतम् + इदम्
• सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरम् = सर्व + श्रुति + मनोहरम् (समास-समाहार)

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.

The teaching

Sacred music and poetry benefit society by granting longevity and prosperity to those who listen with devotion

Ethical theme

Sama-dharma

For your practice

The power of Ramayana recitation brings divine blessings and auspiciousness

Mood and themes

Rasa

Adbhuta (wonder), with Shanta (peace)

Mood

Auspicious, celebratory, serendipitous

Themes

• Dharma
• Royal Virtue
• Musical Arts
• Divine Encounter
• Itihasa

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Bharata
• Kusa
• Lava

FAQs

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

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.

What is the narrative situation?

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.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

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.