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Book I : Bala Kanda - The Youth
Chapter [ Sarga ] 4

Introduction

This chapter tells how Valmiki wrote twenty four thousand verses and taught them to Lava and Kusha, the sons of Rama and Seetha. Seetha and her two sons lived in exile at the hermitage of Valmiki. Valmiki teaches the ballad of Ramayana to these youngsters and they astonish the sages and people with their beautiful singing of the epic poem. Rama summons them to his court to sing Ramayana and is surprised at their rendering of the epic. Lava and Kusha are sent away with blessings by Rama, who does not know their true identity. The story narrated here forms part of Uttara Ramayana , the later part of the epic.

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pr˜ptar˜jyasya r˜masya v˜lmŸkirbhagav˜n®ÿi× |
cak˜ra caritaÕ k®tsnaÕ vicitrapadam˜tmav˜n || 1-4-1

1. bhagavaan = venerable, aatmavaan = (and) wise, R^ishhiH = sage, vaalmiikiH = Valmiki, chakaara = authored, charitam = life, raamasya = of Rama,  praaptaraajyasya = with obtained kingdom,  kR^itsnam = (in its) entirety, vichitra padam = (in) wonderful verses.

The venerable and wise sage Valmiki, authored the life of Rama in its entirety in wonderful verses, after Rama obtained his kingdom.

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caturviÕþatsahasr˜õi þlok˜n˜muktav˜n ®ÿi× |
tath˜ sargaþat˜n pañca ÿa÷k˜õý˜õi tathottaram || 1-4-2
2. R^ishhiH = sage Valmiki, uktavaan = told (Ramayana), chaturviMshat = (in) twenty four,  sahasraaNi = thousand, shlokaanaam = verses,   paJNcha = (in) five, sarga shataan = hundred chapters, shhaT kaaNDaaNi+cha = in six books, tathaa = in that manner, tathaa = and also, uttaram = the later part (of the epic).

The sage Valmiki rendered Ramayana in twenty four thousand verses, in five hundred chapters called sargas, and in six books called kandas, and also the later part of the epic.

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k®tv˜pi tanmah˜pr˜jña× sabhaviÿyaÕ sahottaram |
cintay˜m˜sa konvetatprayuñjŸy˜diti prabhu× || 1-4-3
3. api = besides, kR^itvaa = writing,  tat = that Ramayana, sa bhavishhyam = with future (events), sahottaram = with the events after Rama's coronation, mahaa praajJNaH = the great intellectual, prabhuH = (and) competent sage Valmiki,  chintayaamaasa = (also) pondered over, iti = thus,  "kaH nu= who indeed,  prayuJNjiiyaat = can  perform, etat = this (in a suitable manner)?"

Besides writing that epic with events that had already occured, the events that happened after Rama's coronation and the events yet to occur, the intellectual and competent Valmiki also pondered thus : "Who is capable of reciting this in a suitable manner?"

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tasya cintayam˜nasya maharÿerbh˜vit˜tmana× |
ag®hõŸt˜Õ tata× p˜dau muniveÿau kuþŸlavau || 1-4-4
4. tataH = later, kushii lavau = Kusha and Lava (Sons of Rama), muni veshhau = dressed in sagely garbs, agR^ihNiitaam = obtained, tasya = that, chintayamaanasya= thoughtful, bhaavitaatmanaH = holy,  maharshheH = sage's: paadau = feet.

Later, the sons of Seetha and Rama, Kusha and Lava, dressed in sagely garbs, touched the feet of the thoughtful and holy sage Valmiki.

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kuþŸlavau tu dharmajñau r˜japutrau yaþasvinau |
bhr˜tarau svarasampannau dadarþ˜þramav˜sinau || 1-4-5
5. dadarsha = (Sage Valmiki) saw, dharmajJNau = virtuous, raajaputrau = princes, kushii lavau = Kusha and Lava, yashasvinau = (who were) famous, bhraatarau = brothers, svara sampannau = with melodious voice, tu = and, aashrama vaasinau = (who were) living in hermitage.

Sage Valmiki  saw the virtuous princes Kusha and Lava, who were famous brothers with melodious voice, and who were living  in that hermitage.
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sa tu medh˜vinau d®ÿ÷v˜ vedeÿu pariniÿ÷hitau |
vedopab®Õhaõ˜rth˜ya t˜vagr˜hayata prabhu× || 1-4-6
6. dR^ishhTvaa = Seeing, medhaavinau = (those) intellectuals, parinishhTitau = with strong knowledge, vedeshhu = in Vedas, saH prabhuH = that able Valmiki, tau agraahayata = made them to receive (Ramayana),  vedopa bR^iMhaNaarthaaya = (written) to nurture Vedas.

Seeing those intelligent boys with a strong grasp of Vedas, that able sage Valmiki, taught them Ramayana, to nurture Vedic knowledge.

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k˜vyaÕ r˜m˜yaõaÕ k®tsnaÕ sŸt˜y˜þcaritaÕ mahat |
paulastyavadhamityeva cak˜ra caritavrata× || 1-4-7
7. charita = (Sage Valmiki with) attained, vrataH = austerity (or) devotion, chakaara = authored, kR^itsnam = the entire, kaavyam = epic, raamaayaNam = (of) Ramayana, iti + eva = also thus, seethaayaaH + mahat +charitam = the great story of Seetha, paulastya vadham = slaying of Paulastya (Ravana).

The devoted sage Valmiki, authored the entire epic of Ramayana, also known as 'The Great Story of Seetha' and 'Paulasthya Vadham' [Slaying of Ravana].

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p˜÷hye geye ca madhuraÕ pram˜õaistribhiranvitam |
j˜tibhi× saptabhirbaddhaÕ tantrŸlayasamanvitam || 1-4-8
8. paaThye = in the portion which needs to be read, geye cha = and in  the portion which is to be sung, madhuram = is sweet, anvitam = joined, tribhiH pramaaNaiH = in three scales,  baddham = composed, saptabhiH jaatibhiH = in seven primary notes, samanvitam= endowed with, tantrii laya= fusion with stringed musical instruments .

Both the textual portion and the musical part of Ramayana are sweet. It has melodious lyrical values like a glissando, to be composed with three scales and seven primary notes. The verses combine well with a stringed musical instrument.

Comment: The three scale-pauses are Drita, Madhyama, Vilambita. These, though not same as, are similar to Breve, Minim and Quaver, of western classical music. The seven fold classifications of svaras are [1] Shadja [2] Madhyama [3] Gändhara [4] Nishäda [5] Rîshabha [6] Dhaitava [7] Panchama. These are roughly similar to Accelerando, Calando, Decresando, Smorzando, Sostentuo, and others of western classical music.

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rasai× þ®õg˜rak˜ruõyah˜syavŸrabhay˜nakai× |
raudr˜dibhiþca saÕyuktaÕ k˜vyametadag˜yat˜m || 1-4-9
9. etat = this, kaavyam = epic, samyuktam = possessing,  shR^iN^gaara = love, kaaruNya = pathos, haasya = comic relief, viira = courage, bhayaanakaiH rasaiH= (and) fear inducing poetic sentiments, raudraadibhiH cha = and also the sentiment of anger and others, agaayataam = was sung (by Kusha and Lava).

This ballad of Ramayana, with poetic sentiments of love, pathos, comic relief, courage, fear, anger and others, was sung by Lava and Kusha.

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tau tu g˜ndharvatattvagjñau m¨rchan˜sth˜nakovidau |
bhr˜tarau svarasampannau gandharv˜viva r¨piõau || 1-4-10
10. tau bhraatarau tu = Those brothers Kusha and Lava (were), tattvaJNau = acquainted with the true principles of, gaandharva = music,  kovidau = (and were) proficient in, sthaana = maintenance of, muurchhan = (correct) pitch of voice, saMpannau = (and were) endowed with, svara = (melodious) voice,  gandharva ruupiNau iva = like incarnates of Gandharvas.

Those brothers were well acquainted with the true principles of the art of music, were proficient in maintaining the correct pitch, were endowed with a melodious voice and thus looked like Gandharvas in human form.

Comment: Gandharvas are celestial beings and are believed to be highly proficient in music.  Hence, music is also termed as Gaandharva Vidya.

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r¨palakÿaõasampannau madhurasvarabh˜ÿiõau |
bimb˜divoddh®tau bimbau r˜madeh˜ttath˜parau || 1-4-11
11. bhaashhiNau = (Lava and Kusha) convesed in, madhura = sweet, svara = voice, saMpannau =  (and were) endowed with, ruupa lakshaNa = beautiful characteristics, aparau = (were like) separate, bimbau = reflections,  uddhR^itau = extracted,  raama dehaat bimbaat = from the image of body of Rama.

Lava and Kusha conversed in a sweet voice, and with their extraordinary beauty, they seemed to be two reflections of Rama, extracted from Rama's body separately.
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tau r˜japutrau k˜rtsnyena dharmyam˜khy˜namuttamam |
v˜covidheyaÕ tatsarvaÕ k®tv˜ k˜vyamaninditau || 1-4-12
12. tau = those, raajaputrau = princes, kR^itvaa = made, tat sarvam = all that, dharmyam = righteous, uttamam = best, aakhyaanam = legend, kaartsnyena = completely, kaavyam vaachovidheyam = (with all) the words of the epic at (their) disposal, aninditau = (in a manner) that could not be faulted.

Those princes commited to their memory, the entire righteous legend of Ramayana, which is the best, in a blameless manner, with all the verses of the epic at their disposal.

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®ÿŸõ˜Õ ca dvij˜tŸn˜Õ s˜dh¨n˜Õ ca sam˜game |
yathopadeþaÕ tatvagjñau jagatu×  susam˜hitau || 1-4-13
13. tattvajJNau = (Lava and Kusha ) knowing the true essence (of the story of Ramayana), jagatuH = sang, yathopadeshaH = exactly as taught (by Valmiki), susamaahitau = attentively, samaagame = in an assembly, R^ishhiiNaam = of sages, dvijaathiinaam cha = and of brahmans, saadhuunaam cha = and gentlemen.

Lava and Kusha, who grasped the true essence of Ramayana, attentively sang the epic, exactly as taught to them by Valmiki, in an assembly of sages, brahmans and other gentlemen.

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mah˜tm˜nau mah˜bh˜gau sarvalakÿaõalakÿitau |
tau kad˜citsamet˜õ˜m®ÿŸn˜Õ bh˜vit˜tman˜m |
˜sŸn˜n˜Õ samŸpasth˜vidaÕ k˜vyamag˜yat˜m || 1-4-14
14. kadaachit = At one time, tau = those, mahaatmaanau =  noble minded (princes), mahaabhaagau = with great fortune, lakshitau = (and) endowed with, sarva lakshaNa = all good qualities, agaayathaam = sang, idam = this, kaavyam = epic, samiipastau = being close to a (group), R^ishhiiNaam = of sages, bhaavitaatmaanaam = with pure hearts, aasiinaanaam = (who were) sitting, samethaanaam = together.

At one time, those noble minded princes with great fortune, endowed with all good qualities, sang this epic near a group of pure hearted sages, who were sitting together.
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tatcchrutv˜ munaya× sarve b˜ÿpapary˜kulekÿõ˜× |
s˜dhu s˜dhviti t˜¨cu× paraÕ vismayam˜gat˜m || 1-4-15
15. shrutvaa = listening, tat = (to) that, sarve = all, munayaH = sages, param vismayam aagathaaH = obtained great surprise, baashhpaparyaakulekshaNaaH = (and)with vision blurred by tears (of joy),  uuchuH = spoke, tau = to them, iti = thus, "saadhu = good!, saadhu = good!".

Listenening to that song of Kusha and Lava, those sages were greatly surprised, and with tears of joy, spoke thus : "Good! Good!".
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te prŸtamanasa× sarve munayo dharmavatsal˜× |
praþaþaÕsu× praþastavyau g˜yam˜nau kuþŸlavau || 1-4-16
16. sarve = all, te = those, munayo = sages, dharmavatsalaaH = (who) were interested in righteousness, priitamanasaH = with a gladdened heart, prashashaMsuH = praised, kushiilavau = Kusha and Lava, prashastavyau = (who were) praise worthy, gaayamaanau = singers.

All those righteous sages, being appeased at heart, praised the worthy Kusha and Lava, who had sung Ramayana excellently.
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aho gŸtasya m˜dhuryaÕ þlok˜n˜Õ ca viþeÿata× |
ciranirv®ttamapyetatpratyakÿamiva darþitam || 1-4-17
17. aho = Ah! maadhuryam = sweetness, geetasya = of the song, visheshhataH cha = and especially, shlokaanaam = that of the Verses, etat = this story, chira nirvR^ittamapi = that happened long time ago, darshitam = has been shown, pratyakshyam iva = as if happening before eyes.

"Ah! What a sweet song! And especially the Verses! This story that happened long time back, has been shown as if it was happening before our very eyes."
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praviþya t˜vubhau suÿ÷hu bh˜vaÕ samyagag˜yat˜m |
sahitau madhuraÕ raktaÕ sampannaÕ svarasampad˜ || 1-4-18
18. tau = those, ubhau = two, agaayathaam = have sung, sahitau = together, samyak = well, saMpannam = endowed with, svara sampadaa = the wealth of voice, madhuram = sweetly, raktam = delightfully, pravishya = entered, bhaavam = (into) meaning, sushhTu = rightly.

"Those two boys who are endowed with a wealthy voice, have sung the song together very well, sweetly and delightfully, entering into the meaning of the verses correctly."
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evaÕ praþasyam˜nau tau tapa×þl˜ghyormah˜tmabhi× |
saÕraktataramatyarthaÕ madhuraÕ t˜vag˜yat˜m || 1-4-19
19. tau = those (youngsters), agaayataam = sang, saMraktataram = very delightfully, atyartham = (and) very, madhuram = sweetly, prashasyamaanau eva = (while being) praised thus, mahaatmabhiH = (by) great souls, shlaaghyaiH = praise worthy, tapaH = (with their) penance.
 
Those two sang the poem very sweetly and very delightfully, while being praised thus by those great sages, who were themselves praise worthy with their penance.
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prŸta× kaþcinmunist˜bhy˜Õ saÕsthita× kalaþaÕ dadau |
prasanno valkalaÕ kaþciddadau t˜bhy˜Õ mah˜yaþ˜× || 1-4-20
20. priitaH = Being happy, kashchit = one, muniH = sage, saMsthitaH = being stood up, dadau = gave away, kalasham = (his) water-pot, taabhyaam = to them, kashchit prassanaH = one pleased sage, mahaayashaaH = having great reputation, dadau = gave away, valkalam = bark-garment.

Being happy with their wonderful performance of the song, one of the sages stood up and gave away his water-pot to them, and one pleased sage who had a great reputation, gave away a bark-garment. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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˜þcaryamida m˜khy˜naÕ munin˜ samprakŸrtitam |
paraÕ kavŸn˜ m˜dh˜raÕ sam˜ptaÕ ca yath˜kramam || 1-4-21
21. idam = this, aashcharyam = wonderful, aakhyaanam = legend, saMprakiirtitam = revealed, muninaa = by Sage (Valmiki), param = most excellent, aadhaaraM = receptacle, kavinaa = to  poets, cha samaaptam = and has been completed, yathaa kramam = in due course.

This wonderful legend revealed by Sage Valmiki, has been the most excellent receptacle to generations of poets, and has been completed in due course.
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abhigŸtamidaÕ gŸtaÕ sarvagŸteÿu kovidau |
˜yuÿyaÕ puÿ÷ijanakaÕ sarvaþrutimanoharam || 1-4-22
22. idam = this, giitam = song, pushhTi janakam = causing increase, aayushhyam = (in) duration of life, sarva shruti manoharam = (and a ) delight to all ears, abhigiitam = has been sung very well, kovidau = (by) experts, sarva giiteshhu = in all songs - Lava and Kusha.

This song of Ramayana which increases the duration of life and which is a delight to listen to, has been sung excellently by the experts in all songs, Lava and Kusha.
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praþsyam˜nau sarvatra kad˜cittatra g˜yakau |
rathy˜su r˜jam˜rgeÿu dadarþa bharat˜graja× || 1-4-23
23. kadaachit = At one time, bharataagrajaH = Rama, dadarsha = saw, gaayakau = (those) singers, prashasyamaanau = who were being praised, sarvatra = everywhere, tatra = (singing) on that occasion, rathyaasu = (near) a main road, raajamaargeshhu = on a royal highway.

At one time, Rama happened to see those singers, who were being praised everywhere, singing Ramayana near a royal highway.
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svaveþma c˜nŸya tato bhr˜tarau sa kuþŸlavau |
p¨jay˜m˜sa p¨j˜rhau r˜ma× þatrunibarhaõa× || 1-4-24
24. tataH = then, saH raamaH = that Rama, shatrunibarhaNaH = the destroyer of enemies, aaniiya = brought, bhraatarau = (those) brothers, kushhilavau = Kusha and Lava,  puujaarhau = worthy of  honour, sva veshma = to his home, puujayaamaasa cha = and honoured them.

Then, that Rama, who destroys his enemies, brought those respectable brothers Kusha and Lava, to his home and honoured them.
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˜sŸna× k˜ñcane divye sa ca siÕh˜sane prabhu× |
upopaviÿ÷a× sacivairbhr˜t®bhiþcha parantapa× || 1-4-25
25. sah prabhuH = that lord Rama, parantapaH = who subdues his enemies, aasiinaH = sat, divye kaanchane siMhaasane = on a brilliant golden throne, upopavishhTaH cha= and being surrounded, sachivaiH = (by) ministers, bhraatR^ibhiH cha = and brothers.

Lord Rama, who subdues his enemies, sat on a brilliant golden throne, surrounded by his ministers and brothers.
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d®stv˜ tu r¨pasampannau t˜vubhau niyatastad˜ |
uv˜ca lakÿmaõaÕ r˜ma× þatrughnaÕ bharataÕ tath˜ || 1-4-26
26. tadaa = then, dR^ishhTvaa tu = having seen, tau = those, ubhau = two (brothers), saMpannau = endowed with, ruupaH = beauty, niyataH raamaH = self-possesed Rama, uvaacha = spoke, lakshmanaNam = to Lakshmana, shatrughnam = Shatrughna, tathaa bharatham = and Bharatha.

Then, having seen those two beautiful brothers, the self-possessed Rama spoke to Lakshmana, Shatrughna and Bharatha :
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þr¨yat˜mida m˜khy˜namanayordevavarcaso× |
vicitr˜rthapadaÕ samyagg˜yakau t˜vacodayat || 1-4-27
27.' idam = (Let) this, aakhyaanam = story, vichtra artha padaM = (with) astounding and meaningful words, anayoH = of these two, devavarchasoH = who have the glow of celestials, shruuyataam = be heard, samyak = well,'  aachodayat = (and) encouraged, tau gaayakau = those singers.

"Let this astounding and meaningful story of these two, who glow like celestial beings, be heard well." and encouraged those singers to sing the poem. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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tau c˜pi madhuraÕ raktaÕ svañcit˜yatanisvanam |
tantrŸlayavadtyarthaÕ viþrut˜rthamag˜yat˜m || 1-4-28
28. tau cha api = and those (two), agaayataam = sang, madhuram = sweetly, raktam = melodiously, svaMchitaayatanisvanam = with  well done sustaining sound, tantriilayavat = fusing with stringed (musical instruments), atyartham = (with a ) very, vishrutaartham = clear meaning.

And then, those two brothers rendered the song with a very clear meaning, sweetly and melodiously, with a well done and sustaining sound, which fused well with stringed instruments.
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hl˜dayatsarvag˜tr˜õi man˜Õsi h®dy˜ni ca |
þrot˜þrayasukhaÕ geyaÕ tatbabhau janasaÕsadi || 1-4-29
29. tat geyam = That song, shrotaashraya sukham = which  was comfortable to ears, hlaadayat = gladdened, sarva gaatraNi = all parts of body, manaaMsi =  the mind, hR^idyaani cha = and the heart, babhau = (and) shone, janasaMsadi = among the assembled people.

That song, which was comfortable to ears, gladdened the heart, mind and all body parts, shone among all the people assembled there.
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imau munŸ p˜rthivalakÿaõ˜nvitau |
kuþŸlavau caiva mah˜tapasvinau |
mam˜pi tadbh¨tikaraÕ pravakÿyate |
mah˜nubh˜vaÕ caritaÕ nibodhata || 1-4-30
30. imau = these, munii = sages, kushii lavau = Kusha and Lava, paarthiva lakshaNaanvitau cha eva = though  having royal charateristics, mahaatapasvinau = are great ascetics,  tat mahaanubhaavam charitam = that great story, (which), bhuutikaram = is beneficial, mama api = to me also, pravakshyate = will be told (by them), nibodhata = listen attentively.

Rama  then told the assembly, "These sages Kusha and Lava, though having all royal characteristics, are great ascetics. That great story, which would be beneficial to me also, would be told by them. Let it be heard attentively."
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tatastu tau r˜mavaca×pracodit˜ |
vag˜yat˜Õ m˜rgavidh˜nasampad˜ |
sa c˜pi r˜ma× pariÿadgata× þanai |
rbhubh¨ÿay˜ saktaman˜ babh¨va ha || 1-4-31
31. tataH tu = then, prachoditau = being encouraged by, raama vachaH = words of Rama,  tau = those (boys), agaayataam = sang, maarga vidhaana sampadaa = with a wealthy singing method called 'maarga', saH Rama api = that Rama also, parishhadgataH = being in the assembly, shanairbhuushhayaa cha =  and (to obtain) peace of mind, babhuuva = became, sakta manaaH = interested (in that song).

Then those boys, encouraged by Rama's kind words, sang that poem in a wealthy method called maarga. Rama, being in the assembly, listened to that song interestedly to obtain peace of mind.
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iti þrŸmadv˜lmŸki r˜m˜yaõe ˜dik˜vye b˜la k˜nýe caturtha sarga×

 Thus this is the fourth chapter in Bala Kanda of Sreemad Valmiki Ramayana.
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Verse Locator for Bala Kanda - Sarga 4

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