RAMAYANA
FOR CHILDREN
BALAKANDA
CHAPTER 4
Valmiki composed the life of Rama. King Rama was ruling at
Ayodhya after his wars with Ravana.
The seven cantos are divided into 500 chapters. They contain
24,000 verses. After completion of the epic, he sought for someone who would
memorize it. Because, in those days, it was essential to carry it to the ears
of men! There was no other way to spread it among the common mass. So he prayed
for someone who would be fit enough to memorize the 24,000 verses! And his
prayer was supremely answered by the coming of two disciples, namely, Lava and
Kusa. They were dressed in ochre cloth as hermits.
They were brought up by the saint. They had marvellous
voice. Their memory power was unbelievable. They were skilled in every art and
science. Valmiki taught them this great epic. They stored it within their
hearts and in obedience to their master, sang it to all. They sang the epic to the
large groups of Brahmanas and warriors, sges and saints. They sang them to the accompaniment
of musical instruments. They travelled to many lands and sang to many kinds of audience.
In the meanwhile, King Rama was celebrating a
Horse-sacrifice, called Ashwamedha Yagia. At that time Kusa and Lava were
taking rest during the well-earned interval. Their fame spread far and wide. It chanced one
day that Bharata heard them recite his brother’s story. He duly informed the
same to the King, Rama. He invited the two brothers and showed them due
respect. Rama was seated in a throne of gold encrusted with gems. It was
brought by his sire from the world of Indra. The king was surrounded by learned
men, ministers and his brothers. The king gazed on the boys long and fondly. They
were the exact replica of his beautiful image. He asked his brothers about it.
As the king directed the two boys to recite, the recitation
of Ramachandra’s story started. The boys sang in beauteous voices the grand
epic. Soon the king lost himself to the singing of the epic. He stood up from
the throne and went over to sit among the audience to hear the story better!
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