Valmiki Ramayana - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Bala Kanda - Book Of Youthful Majesties

प्राप्त राज्यस्य रामस्य वाल्मीकिर् भगवान् ऋषिः
चकार चरितम् कृत्स्नम् विचित्र पदम् अर्थवत्

prāpta rājyasya rāmasya vālmīkir bhagavān ṛṣiḥ
cakāra caritam kṛtsnam vicitra padam arthavat

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

The godly saint Valmiki composed Ramayana on Rama's retrieving kingdom, wording admirably and meaningfully. [1-4-1]

VERSE 2

चतुर्विंशत् सहस्राणि श्लोकानाम् उक्तवान् ऋषिः
तथा सर्ग शतान् पंच षट् काण्डानि तथा उत्तरम्

caturviṃśat sahasrāṇi ślokānām uktavān ṛṣiḥ
tathā sarga śatān paṃca ṣaṭ kāṇḍāni tathā uttaram

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

Sage Valmiki said Ramayana in twenty four thousand verses, in six hundred chapters, in six books, likewise an end-piece too. [1-4-2]

PURPORT

The twenty-four are the letters in Gayatri hymn. Ramayana's scheming is based on Gayatri hymn and for this: "atra catur vi~Nshati sa~Nkhyo uktyaa catur vi~Nshati akShara gaayatrii tulyataa suucitam | prathama adhyaaye - tapaH svaadhyaaya - ityatra prathamam ta kaarasya - sargapraante - iti etasmin padye - mahatva miiyaat -- ityatra yaat - iti akSharasya grahaNaat api gayatrii ruupatvam suucitam - dharmaakuutam There is a controversy about the number of verses and cantos. If Uttara Ramayana, otherwise called abhudaya kaanDa , is ascribed to Valmiki, the cantos are seven and chapters are about 649 and verses are about 24,253. But some verses and chapters are deleted for standardization of Ramayana as per this verse and they contain 560 chapters and 24,00 verses only. Some argue that when it is said 24, 000 verses are there, it does not actually a mathematical assertion, like the calculation of mahaa yuga -s and manvantara -s, and as one would give a reply to his age as 30 years, or 60 years, but not as 29 years, 6 months, seven days or so... In furthering that standardization affair, some said that even this canto, Bala kaanda is not authored by Valmiki. It is not clear as of now when the pundits can decide as to which is standard and which is not. The transcendental aspect of Ramayana and its content is explained in 18 terms by ancient commentator Govindaraja. 1] Rama's Absoluteness, paramaatma tattva ; 2] Ideation to know Him, upaaya ; 3] Dedication in Him, kainkarya ; 4] Human aspect, puruSaakaara ; 5] Diviner, adhikaara ; 6] Resolve in God, adhikaara paaratantrya ; 7] God's resolve in Dedicate, bhagavat paaratantrya ; 8] Knowledge of five Meanings, artha pancaka GYaana ; 9] Self-denial, akincinatvam ; 10] Teacher selecting, aacaarya varaNam ; 11] Climax, autkaNThata ; 12] Behaviour, pravartana ; 13] Residence, vaasa sthaana ; 14] Two Narayana hymns, naaraayaNa mantra dvaya ; 15] Gayatri, Gayatri hymn; 16] Negating negative-thinking, durvicaara parihaara ; 17] negating Love for Living, samsaara jihaasa ; 18] 64 Divinely Arts, catuSaSTi kalamayatva . Of them we take up the15thGayatri. The identification of Gayatri with Ramayana scheme is explained in many ways. By tat savitR^i the features and attributes of the Absolute as per narrations in Bala Kanda. vareNya by the narration of Absolute's attributes in Ayodhya and Kishkindha kaanda-s, and adherents like Lakshmana, Bharata, Sugreeva take shelter in Him here only. bharga is identified as per the description of resplendence of The Divine as envisaged by the sages and hermits in Aranya Kanda. devasya and in dhiimahi where that deva the Divine is explained by Hanuma, not only to Seetha but to all in Sundara kanda. hi dhii mahi is as explained in Uttara Kanda, which centers around moksha salvation.

VERSE 3

कृत्वा तु तन् महाप्राज्ञः स भविष्यम् सह उत्तरम्
चिन्तयामास कोन्वेतत् प्रयुंजीयाद् इति प्रभुः

kṛtvā tu tan mahāprājñaḥ sa bhaviṣyam saha uttaram
cintayāmāsa konvetat prayuṃjīyād iti prabhuḥ

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

Though that great scholar composed thus with leading and sequel legends, that godly saint thought over thus 'really, who will render all this ballad...' [1-4-3]

VERSE 4

तस्य चिन्तयामानस्य महर्षेर् भावितात्मनः
अगृह्णीताम् ततः पादौ मुनि वेषौ कुशी लवौ

tasya cintayāmānasya maharṣer bhāvitātmanaḥ
agṛhṇītām tataḥ pādau muni veṣau kuśī lavau

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

Then Lava and Kusha who are in the attire of hermits have touched the feet of that contemplative soul Valmiki, who is now thoughtful. [1-4-4]

VERSE 5

कुशी लवौ तु धर्मज्ञौ राज पुत्रौ यशश्विनौ
भ्रातरौ स्वर संपन्नौ ददर्श आश्रम वासिनौ

kuśī lavau tu dharmajñau rāja putrau yaśaśvinau
bhrātarau svara saṃpannau dadarśa āśrama vāsinau

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

Glorious Kusha and Lava are the virtue knowing princes, and they are endowed with melodious voice, besides being the residents of the same hermitage, thus Valmiki saw them saluting at his feet. [1-4-5]

VERSE 6

स तु मेधाविनौ दृष्ट्वा वेदेषु परिनिष्टितौ
वेदोपबृंहणार्थाय तौ अग्राहयत प्रभुः

sa tu medhāvinau dṛṣṭvā vedeṣu pariniṣṭitau
vedopabṛṃhaṇārthāya tau agrāhayata prabhuḥ

SYNONYMS

prabhuḥ: self-reliant sage | saḥ: he, Valmiki | medhavinau: intellectual pair | vedeśu pariniṣṭitau: in Vedas, proficient | dṛṣṭvā: having seen | veda upa bṛmhaṇa arthaya [ kathitam kāvyam]: to Veda-s, as ancillary, reinforcement, aiming at [rendered, epic] | tau a grāhayata: them two, made to receive [epic to memorise]. |

TRANSLATION

On seeing that pair intellectuals who are proficient in Veda-s that self-reliant sage Valmiki made those two to memorize the epic, as the epic Ramayana is composed only to reinforce the import of Veda-s, as an ancillary. [1-4-6]

VERSE 7

काव्यम् रामायणम् कृत्स्नम् सीतायाः चरितम् महत्
पौलस्त्य वधम् इति एवम् चकार चरित व्रतः

kāvyam rāmāyaṇam kṛtsnam sītāyāḥ caritam mahat
paulastya vadham iti evam cakāra carita vrataḥ

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

That sage with observed sacred vows has rendered the entire epic in the name of 'Ramayana', 'Sublime Legend of Seetha' and 'elimination of Ravana'. [1-4-7]

PURPORT

Seetha's conduct is the primary aspect and Ravana's elimination is secondary in the epic of Ramayana. poulasthya vadha . Giving one to many names to poem/epics is usual as in maagha kaavya' which is known as shishupaala vadha whereas it is actually kR^ishNa carita .

VERSE 8

पाठ्ये गेये च मथुरम् प्रमाणैः त्रिभिर् अन्वितम्
जातिभिः सप्तभिः युक्तम् तन्त्री लय समन्वितम्

pāṭhye geye ca mathuram pramāṇaiḥ tribhir anvitam
jātibhiḥ saptabhiḥ yuktam tantrī laya samanvitam

SYNONYMS

pāṭhye geye madhuram: to read, to sing, melodious | pramāṇaiḥ tri bhiḥ anvitam: scales, in three, kinds, adaptable | jātibhiḥ saptabhiḥ baddham: classification, sevenfold, orchestral | tantrī laya samanvitam: string-instrument, rhythm, included. |

TRANSLATION

To read or to sing it is melodious, adaptable to music with three scales and sevenfold tune, and orchestral to the tunes of string-instrument and rhythm included... [1-4-8]

PURPORT

The three Indian scale pauses are dR^ita, madhyama, vilambita . These though not equal but identical to Breve, Minim and Quaver of Western classical music. The seven fold classifications of swara-s are 1] shadja [2] madhyama [3] gaandhara [4] niSaada [5] R^iSabha [6] dhaitava [7] pa~nchama . These are roughly identical to Accelerando, Calando, Decresando, Smorzando, Sostentuo, and others of Western classical music.

VERSE 9

रसैः शृंगार करुण हास्य रौद्र भयानकैः
विरादिभी रसैर् युक्तम् काव्यम् एतत् अगायताम्

rasaiḥ śṛṃgāra karuṇa hāsya raudra bhayānakaiḥ
virādibhī rasair yuktam kāvyam etat agāyatām

SYNONYMS

rasaiḥ sṛngara karuṇa hāsya raudra bhayānakaiḥ: aesthetics, romance, pathos, comic, fury, fright, and others | vīra ādibḥ rasaiḥ yuktam: valour et cetera, aesthetics, embodying | kāvyam a gāyatām: epic, is sung. |

TRANSLATION

Aesthetics like romance, pathos, comic, fury, fright, valour etc., embodying the epic is sung [by Kusha, Lava.] [1-4-9]

PURPORT

The Indian categorization of aesthetics rasaa -s is in nine emotions. sR^ingaa [romance] haasa , [humour] shoka , [grief] krodha , [fury] utsaaha , [enthusiasm, bravery] bhaya , [fright] jugupsa , [disgust] vismaya [amaze.] Again sR^ingaara is of two kinds - a] sambhoga , [being with his/her partner,] b] vipralamba [not being with his/her partner.] Rama's togetherness with Seetha from Bala Kanda till her abduction is the first category of romance. After her departure and until regain, it is second sort of romantic narration. Episodes of Surpanakha, Trijata are humorous. Those of Dasharatha, Jatayu etc., are of grievous nature. Killing, torturing etc., situations arouse furiousness. Lakshmana, Indrjit and others are showing bravery. Seeing ugly demons either in forests or those that surround Seetha is causing fright. The very sight of ugly bodied demons like Viradha, Kabandha is creating disgust. Hanuma's leaping ocean, burning Lanka, and the entire Rama-Ravana war are amazing

VERSE 10

तौ तु गान्धर्व तत्त्वज्ञौ स्थान मूर्च्छन कोविदौ
भ्रातरौ स्वर संपन्नौ गन्धर्वाः इव रूपिणौ

tau tu gāndharva tattvajñau sthāna mūrcchana kovidau
bhrātarau svara saṃpannau gandharvāḥ iva rūpiṇau

SYNONYMS

tau tu gāndharva tatvajñau: they are, musical art, conversant with | sthāna mūrcana kovidau: pause, pitch of voice, proficient in | bhrātarau svara sampannou: two brothers, voice, wealthy | gandharva iva rūpiṇau: celestial singers, like, in appearance. |

TRANSLATION

They are conversant with the art of music and proficient with the pitch and pausing their voices, and those two brothers have not only a wealthy voice, but they also look like celestial singers. [1-4-10]

PURPORT

The gandharva-s are celestial beings with adorable personalities and performers of all kinds of performing arts. Hence, Indian musical art is termed as gaandhava vidya .

VERSE 11

रूप लक्षण संपन्नौ मधुर स्वर भाषिणौ
बिंबात् इव उथीतौ बिंबौ राम देहात् तथा अपरौ

rūpa lakṣaṇa saṃpannau madhura svara bhāṣiṇau
biṃbāt iva uthītau biṃbau rāma dehāt tathā aparau

SYNONYMS

rūpa lakśaṇa sampannau: in appearance, charm, privileged with | madhura svara bhaśaṇau: melodiously, voiced, in voicing | bimbāt iva uthītau bimbau: [from original] reflection, like, issued forth, reflections | rāma dehāt: from Rama's, body | tatha aparau: like that, separately. |

TRANSLATION

They have charm in their appearance and melodiousness in their voice, they are like the two reflections of one original object, and thus they came out from the body of Rama, separately. [1-4-11]

PURPORT

Vishnu's reflection is Rama, and Kusha, Lava are two reflections of Rama, and thus, in turn, these two princes are adorable like Vishnu, as in bimba-pratibimba nyaaya , image-reflection syndrome.

VERSE 12

तौ राज पुत्रौ कार्त्स्न्येन धर्ंयम् आख्यानम् उत्तमम्
वाचो विधेयम् तत् सर्वम् कृत्वा काव्यम् अनिन्दितौ

tau rāja putrau kārtsnyena dharṃyam ākhyānam uttamam
vāco vidheyam tat sarvam kṛtvā kāvyam aninditau

SYNONYMS

tau raja putrau kārtsnyena: they, king's, sons [princes,] in entirety | dharmyam ākhyanam uttamam: virtue expounding, epic, best | vācaḥ vidheyam tat sarvam: by voice, preserved [memorized,] all that | kṛtva kāvyam a ninditau: doing so, epic, without, fault. |

TRANSLATION

They the princes have memorized that virtue-expounding epic, the best; in its entirety and in doing so, they rendered that epic faultlessly. [1-4-12]

VERSE 13

ऋषीणाम् च द्विजातीनाम् साधूनाम् च समागमे
यथा उपदेशम् तत्त्वज्ञौ जगतुः तौ समाहितौ

ṛṣīṇām ca dvijātīnām sādhūnām ca samāgame
yathā upadeśam tattvajñau jagatuḥ tau samāhitau

SYNONYMS

ṛṣīṇām ca dvijātīnam: of sages, also, of scholars | sādhunam ca samāgame: of eminent persons, also, assemblages | yatha upadeśam tatvajñau: as schooled, those two that are well aware of | jagatuḥ: sung | su samahitau: with best, concentration. |

TRANSLATION

They sung the epic as schooled, well aware of its content and intent, among the assemblages of sages, scholars and also of eminent persons, with their best concentration [1-4-13]

VERSE 14

महात्मनौ महाभागौ सर्व लक्ष्ण लक्षितौ
तौ कदाचित् समेतानाम् ऋषीणाम् भवित आत्मनाम्

mahātmanau mahābhāgau sarva lakṣṇa lakṣitau
tau kadācit sametānām ṛṣīṇām bhavita ātmanām

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

Once those two great-souls who endowed with musical talent and with all remarkable features, sung this epic, standing nearby the midst of a gathering of sages and pious souls. [1-4-14-15a]

VERSE 15

तत् श्रुत्वा मुनयः सर्वे बाष्प पर्याकुलेक्षणाः

tat śrutvā munayaḥ sarve bāṣpa paryākulekṣaṇāḥ

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

On hearing that, the eyes of all the sages were overspread with tears of happiness, and they appreciated saying, 'splendid, splendid is this...' [1-4-15b-16a]

VERSE 16

ते प्रीत मनसः सर्वे मुनयो धर्म वत्सलाः

te prīta manasaḥ sarve munayo dharma vatsalāḥ

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

All those saints being the saint-patrons of virtue are pleased at heart, and praised the praiseworthy Kusha and Lava, while they are singing. [1-4-16b-17a]

VERSE 17

अहो गीतस्य माधुर्यम् श्लोकानाम् च विशेषतः

aho gītasya mādhuryam ślokānām ca viśeṣataḥ

SYNONYMS

b-18a| aha gītasya mādhuryam: aha, ballad's, melody [is superb] | viśeṣataḥ ca slokānam: especially, also, of verses | etat cira nirvṛttam api: all this, long-ago, happened, though | pratyakśam iva darśitam: presently [happening one], like, shown. |

TRANSLATION

"The melody of the ballad, especially the meaning of verses, aha! Superb... though this has happened long-ago it is shown like the one happening presently... [1-4-17b-18a]

VERSE 18

प्रविश्य ता उभौ सुष्ठु तथा भावम् अगायताम्

praviśya tā ubhau suṣṭhu tathā bhāvam agāyatām

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

"On getting into the mood of the epic, those two sang its import in one tune, that too melodiously and rapturously, marinating the pitch and tune..." So said the saints. [1-4-18b-19a]

VERSE 19

एवम् प्रशस्यमानौ तौ तपः श्लाघ्यैः महर्षिभिः

evam praśasyamānau tau tapaḥ ślāghyaiḥ maharṣibhiḥ

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

While the great saints of blessed ascesis are appreciating that way, those two melodiously sang very effectually and very meaningfully. [1-4-19b-20a]

VERSE 20

प्रीतः कश्चिन् मुनिः ताभ्याम् संस्थितः कलशम् ददौ

prītaḥ kaścin muniḥ tābhyām saṃsthitaḥ kalaśam dadau

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

And someone, a pleased saint, got up and bestowed a handy vessel to them... another reputed sage, lauding them contributed a jute robe. [1-4-20b-21a]

VERSE 21

अन्यः कृष्णाजिनम् अदद् यज्ञ सूत्रम् तथा अपरः

anyaḥ kṛṣṇājinam adad yajña sūtram tathā aparaḥ

SYNONYMS

b-26a| anyaḥ kṛṣṇājinam adat: another sage, black-deerskin, bestowed | tathā aparaḥ yajña sūtram: like that, another sacred thread | kaścit kamaṇḍalum pradāt: someone, water-pot, bestowed | anyaḥ mahāmuniḥ mauñjīm: another, great saint, girdle of maunja grass | brusīm anyaḥ tadā prādat kaupīnam: to tellers [to singes,] another, then, contributed, an under cloth | aparaḥ hṛṣṭaḥ muniḥ tābhyām dadau tadā kuṭhāram: another, gladdened, saint, to them, contributed, then, hatchet | aparaḥ muniḥ kāṣāyam vastram: another, sage, another, saffron, cloth | cīram anyaḥ muniḥ dadau: cloth-wrapper, another, saint, bestowed | anyaḥ tu jaṭā bandhanam: another, also, tuft-headband | aparaḥ mudānvitaḥ kāṣṭha rajjum: another one, with enchantment wood-sticks, band | kaścit ṛṣiḥ yajña bhāṇḍam: someone, a sage, sacrificial vessel | kāṣṭhabhāram tathā paraḥ: firewood sticks, then, another | audumbarīm: plank of audumbarii tree wood | brusīm anyaḥ svasti: called forth, other, blessings | kecit tadā avadan: someone, then, chanted | āyuṣyam apare prāhuḥ: longevity, then, chanted | mudā tatra maharṣayaḥ: happily, there, great sages | daduḥ ca evam varān: bestowed, also, thus, boons | sarve munayaḥ satyavādinaḥ: by all, saints, truth-avowed one. |

TRANSLATION

And another sage bestowed a black-deerskin, and like that yet another a sacred thread... someone gave a water-pot and another great saint a girdle of maunja grass to singers, while that way another contributed an under cloth; another sage gladly contributed a hatchet to them, another a saffron clothe, and yet another saint bestowed a cloth-wrapper; another delivered tuft-headband also, and another enchanted for their singing ballad handed out a sacrificial vessel, and another a bundle of firewood sticks, and yet another gave a plank-seat of audambari wood, and other called forth blessings, and someone then happily chanted bless-hymns for longevity... there by all the truth-avowing saints, those that are great sages have thus bestowed boons. [1-4-21b-26a]

VERSE 26

आश्चर्यम् इदम् आख्यानम् मुनिना संप्रकीर्तितम्

āścaryam idam ākhyānam muninā saṃprakīrtitam

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

"Surprising is this well-said rendering of Valmiki... it is the subsistence for tomorrow's poets... and this is completed sequentially, as well... [1-4-26b-27a]

VERSE 27

अभिगीतम् इदम् गीतम् सर्व गीतेषु कोविदौ

abhigītam idam gītam sarva gīteṣu kovidau

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

While this song that generates longevity and prosperity, and one that is melodious one to all ears is being sung everywhere in streets and king's ways and while those two singers who are experts in singing any kind of music are being appreciated everywhere, Rama has seen them. [1-4-27b-29a]

VERSE 29

स्व वेश्म च आनीय ततो भ्रातरौ स कुशी लवौ

sva veśma ca ānīya tato bhrātarau sa kuśī lavau

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

Then on seeing them Rama, the enemy-eliminator, fetched those honour-worthy bothers, Lava and Kusha, to his palace and honoured them. [1-4-29b-30a]

VERSE 30

आसीनः कांचने दिव्ये स च सिंहासने प्रभुः

āsīnaḥ kāṃcane divye sa ca siṃhāsane prabhuḥ

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

He that king Rama is then surrounded by his ministers and brothers that are sitting his nearby, he himself sat on a divine golden throne. [1-4-3b-31a]

VERSE 31

दृष्ट्वा तु रूप संपन्नौ विनीतौ भ्रातरौ उभौ

dṛṣṭvā tu rūpa saṃpannau vinītau bhrātarau ubhau

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

Having seen the mannerly brothers endowed with beautiful features, Rama spoke to Lakshmana, and Shatrughna, and Bharata likewise. [1-4-31b-32a]

VERSE 32

श्रूयताम् एतद् आख्यानम् अनयोः देव वर्चसोः

śrūyatām etad ākhyānam anayoḥ deva varcasoḥ

SYNONYMS

b-33a| anayoḥ deva varcasouḥ: from them, divinely, resplendent ones | vicitra artha padam: having versatile, meanings, wordings | idam ākhyānam samyak śrūyatām: this, legend [ballad], keenly, be heard | [tau] gāyakau samacodayat: [them,] two singers, motivated. |

TRANSLATION

Rama said to thus, "Let this ballad be keenly heard from these divinely resplendent brothers, for it contains versatile words and meanings...' and thus he motivated the singers. [1-4-32b-33a]

VERSE 33

तौ च अपि मधुरम् रक्तम् स्वचित्तायत निःस्वनम्

tau ca api madhuram raktam svacittāyata niḥsvanam

SYNONYMS

b-c| tau ca api madhuram: those two, even, melodiously | raktam svacitāyata niḥsvanam: effectually, with clear and clarified, voices | tantrī laya vat: string-instrument, rhythmic, like | atyartham: very | viśruta artham agāyatām: clear, meaningful [intonation,] have sung. |

TRANSLATION

Even those two singers have sung the ballad melodiously and effectually, with their clear and clarified voices, like the melody of string and rhythmic instruments, with very clear and meaningful intonation. [1-4-33b-c]

VERSE 34

ह्लादयत् सर्व गात्राणि मनांसि हृदयानि च
श्रोत्राश्रय सुखम् गेयम् तद् बभौ जनसंसदि

hlādayat sarva gātrāṇi manāṃsi hṛdayāni ca
śrotrāśraya sukham geyam tad babhau janasaṃsadi

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

Enthralling courtier's bodies, minds and hearts also, and thus that song sone forth as it is for all ears, bearing a comfort in its manifestation, among the gathering of the people. [1-4-34]

VERSE 35

इमौ मुनी पार्थिव लक्षणान्वितौ
कुशी लवौ च एव महातपस्विनौ
ममा अपि तद् भूति करम् प्रचक्षते
महानुभावम् चरितम् निबोधत

imau munī pārthiva lakṣaṇānvitau
kuśī lavau ca eva mahātapasvinau
mamā api tad bhūti karam pracakṣate
mahānubhāvam caritam nibodhata

SYNONYMS

imau munī pārthiva lakśaṇa anvitau: these two, saints, kingly, features, possessing | kuśī lavau ca eva maha tapasvinau: Kusha, Lava, also, thus, great, hermits | mamā api tat bhūti karam: to me, also, that, good fortune, endowing | mahanubhāvam caritam pracakśyate: the great efficacious, legend, they tell | nibodhata: listen it. |

TRANSLATION

"These two saint-like Kusha and Lava, who also possess kingly features, but they are great hermits... this narration is endowing good fortune to me also, listen to that great efficacious legend [of Seetha...]" [So said Rama to those courtiers.] [1-4-35]

PURPORT

Here Rama tells that this legend is 'efficacious' for it is the legend of Seetha, and should it be Rama's alone, he will get the blemish of self-glorification, aatma prashamsaa doSa , and brave heroes of legends cannot be subjected to such a blemish. And to listen to the legend of his dearest, who at present is not with him, gives a kind of consolation, and thus he is asking all of us to listen to siitaayaH caritam mahaan ...

VERSE 36

इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदि काव्ये बाल काण्डे चतुर्थः सर्गः

iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye bāla kāṇḍe caturthaḥ sargaḥ

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

Then those two singers, motivated by Rama's words, sang the ballad in maarga system, for they are well versed in it, then even Rama, who is also in the congregation, again to pacify his mind, [for the story of Seetha puts his mind to turmoil,] became interested at heart [to continue listening Seetha's story...] [1-4-36]