Valmiki Ramayana — Bala Kanda · Chapter 4
Lava and Kusha Recite
कुशीलवप्रवचनम्
The twin sons of Sita learn the Ramayana and sing it before sages
Translated by Manmatha Nath Dutt (1894), public domain — modernised
Partial chapter. Opening verses only.
VERSE 1
प्राप्तराज्यस्य रामस्य वाल्मीकिर्भगवानृषिः। चकार चरितं कृत्स्नं विचित्रपदमर्थवत्॥
prāpta-rājyasya rāmasya vālmīkir bhagavān ṛṣiḥ । cakāra caritaṁ kṛtsnaṁ vicitra-padam arthavat ॥
The blessed sage Valmiki composed the entire history of Rama — who had attained his kingdom — in verses of varied beauty, full of meaning.
VERSE 2
चतुर्विंशत्सहस्राणि श्लोकानामुक्तवानृषिः। तथा सर्गशतान्पञ्च षट्काण्डानि तथोत्तरम्॥
catur-viṁśat-sahasrāṇi ślokānām uktavān ṛṣiḥ । tathā sarga-śatān pañca ṣaṭ-kāṇḍāni tathottaram ॥
The sage uttered twenty-four thousand shlokas, arranged in five hundred sargas, six kandas, and an Uttara-kanda.
VERSE 3
कृत्वा तु तन्महाप्राज्ञः सभविष्यं सहोत्तरम्। चिन्तयामास को न्वेतत्प्रयुञ्जीयादिति प्रभुः॥
kṛtvā tu tan mahāprājñaḥ sa-bhaviṣyaṁ sahottaram । cintayāmāsa ko nv etat prayuñjīyād iti prabhuḥ ॥
Having composed it complete with what was to come, the great-minded master pondered: 'Who shall make this known to the world?'
VERSE 4
तस्य चिन्तयमानस्य महर्षेर्भावितात्मनः। अगृह्णीतां ततः पादौ मुनिवेषौ कुशीलवौ॥
tasya cintayamānasya maharṣer bhāvitātmanaḥ । agṛhṇītāṁ tataḥ pādau muni-veṣau kuśīlavau ॥
As the great sage of perfected mind reflected, Kusha and Lava — clad in the dress of ascetics — clasped his feet.