Shloka 14

कुशिलवगानप्रशंसा

The Commissioning and Public Performance of the Rāmāyaṇa

Devanagari script

महात्मानौ महाभागौ सर्वलक्षणलक्षितौ। तौ कदाचित्समेतानामृषीणां भावितात्मनाम्।आसीनानां समीपस्थाविदं काव्यमगायताम्।।1.4.14।।

Transliteration

mahātmānau mahābhāgau sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitau | tau kadācit sametānām ṛṣīṇāṃ bhāvitātmanām | āsīnānāṃ samīpasthāv idaṃ kāvyam agāyatām || 1.4.14 ||

Translation

那两位大心而福德具足的王子，具备一切吉祥之相，曾立于端坐集会的诸位受敬礼的圣仙近旁，吟唱这部神圣史诗。

Word by Word

• te: they
• te: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• prīta-manasaḥ: with pleased minds
• prīta-manasaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prīta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहि (those whose minds are pleased)

• sarve: all
• sarve: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; मुनयः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• munayaḥ: sages
• munayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• dharma-vatsalāḥ: lovers of dharma
• dharma-vatsalāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma + vatsala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (fond of dharma)

• praśaśaṃsuḥ: praised
• praśaśaṃsuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + √śaṃs (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन

• praśastavyau: praiseworthy (two)
• praśastavyau: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra + √śaṃs (धातु) → praśastavya (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तव्यत्-कृदन्त (gerundive: ‘to be praised/praiseworthy’), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन; कुशीलवौ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• gāyamānau: while singing (two)
• gāyamānau: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gai (धातु; गा) → gāyamāna (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present middle participle, शानच्/आनच्), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन; कुशीलवौ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• kuśīlavau: the two bards/singers (Kuśa and Lava)
• kuśīlavau: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuśīlava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), द्विवचन

Context

On a particular occasion both the great princes who were dignified and endowed with good features, chanted this great epic in the presence of honoured ascetics who assembled at one place.

Characters & Entities

• Kūśa
• Lava
• ṛṣis (sages)
• kāvya (epic)

FAQs

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

Dharma is linked to reverence for the wise: sacred narratives are to be shared in appropriate assemblies, honoring elders and maintaining decorum in teaching and performance.

What is the narrative situation?

Kūśa and Lava, described as auspicious and noble, chant the Rāmāyaṇa in close presence of seated sages gathered together.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and propriety—standing near the sages and reciting reflects respectful conduct and awareness of social-ritual etiquette.