Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 4, Shloka 18

कुशिलवगानप्रशंसा

The Commissioning and Public Performance of the Rāmāyaṇa

Devanagari script

प्रविश्य तावुभौ सुष्ठु भावं सम्यगगायताम्।

सहितौ मधुरं रक्तं सम्पन्नं स्वरसम्पदा।।1.4.18।।

Transliteration

praviśya tāv ubhau suṣṭhu bhāvaṃ samyag agāyatām | sahitau madhuraṃ raktaṃ sampannaṃ svarasampadā || 1.4.18 ||

Translation

意図された情趣に深く入り込み、二人は過ちなく歌い上げた――ともに声を合わせて――甘美にして人を惹きつけ、音階と音の豊かさに満ちていた。

Word by Word

• प्रविश्य: having entered
• प्रविश्य: Kriyā-hetu (क्रियाहेतु/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: praviśya (कृदन्त; √viś (विश्) + प्र + ल्यप्)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव (gerund/absolutive)

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन; सर्वनाम

• उभौ: both
• उभौ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन; विशेषण (qualifier of तौ)

• सुष्ठु: excellently
• सुष्ठु: Viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: suṣṭhu (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• भावम्: theme, sentiment
• भावम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/accusative), एकवचन

• सम्यक्: properly, well
• सम्यक्: Viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samyak (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• अगायताम्: (they) sang
• अगायताम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gai (गै) (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, द्विवचन; परस्मैपद

• सहितौ: together, in unison
• सहितौ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sahita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विशेषण (of the two)

• मधुरम्: sweetly, melodious
• मधुरम्: Karma (कर्म; object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: madhura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (of गीतम्/गानम् understood)

• रक्तम्: charming, captivating
• रक्तम्: Karma (कर्म; object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rakta (कृदन्त; √rañj (रञ्ज्) + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP) विशेषण

• सम्पन्नम्: endowed, complete
• सम्पन्नम्: Karma (कर्म; object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sampanna (कृदन्त; √pad (पद्) + सम् + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP) विशेषण

• स्वरसम्पदा: with wealth of notes (musical excellence)
• स्वरसम्पदा: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svara + sampad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/instrumental), एकवचन; साधन/हेतु-भाव (by means of)

Context

They both chanted in perfect unison in theme and passion, with their charmingmelodious voice endowed with the rich notes of music (sadja and other).

Characters & Entities

• Kuśa
• Lava
• bhāva (aesthetic mood)

FAQs

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

Dharma is served through disciplined excellence: sacred history is not recited carelessly but with proper bhāva, unity, and skill—showing reverence for truth.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration describes the technical and emotional excellence of Kuśa and Lava’s chanting.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Harmony and mastery—coordinated effort, trained voice, and sincere immersion in meaning.