The venerable sage Vālmīki composed the wondrous tale of Rāma, who, after many trials, had at last attained his kingdom. With words of beauty and deep meaning, the sage set forth the story in its entirety: the sending of the Wind-god’s son, the meeting with Bharata, the auspicious occasion of Rāma’s consecration, the dismissal of the assembled armies, the delight of his own people, and even the poignant sending away of Vaidehī. All that befell Rāma upon this earth—present and yet to come—Vālmīki, that revered sage, wove into the later portions of his great poem. Having completed this vast work, Vālmīki reflected, “Who shall recite this noble story?” The poem, containing twenty-four thousand verses, five hundred sargas, six kāṇḍas, and the supplementary Uttara section, was now ready. As he pondered, Vālmīki’s gaze fell upon the two sons of the king, Kuśa and Lava. Righteous and renowned, these brothers dwelled in the hermitage, their voices melodious and their minds disciplined in Vedic learning. Seeing their intelligence and their mastery of the Vedas, Vālmīki taught them the poem, wishing to enhance the Vedic tradition. The sage, steadfast in his vows, instructed them in the entire Rāmāyaṇa—the great tale of Sītā and the destruction of the son of Pulastya. The poem, sweet to recite and to sing, was adorned with three measures, seven kinds of metres, and accompanied by string and rhythm. Filled with the sentiments of love, compassion, humor, fury, terror, heroism, and more, it captured the full range of human experience. Kuśa and Lava, skilled in music and the art of intonation, sang with voices as melodious as those of the Gandharvas. Beautiful and auspicious in appearance, they seemed like living images sprung from the very body of Rāma. Having mastered the noble and righteous narrative, the two brothers rendered the poem with flawless recitation. In gatherings of sages, the twice-born, and the virtuous, Kuśa and Lava sang as they had been taught, concentrating fully on the meaning. Great-souled and adorned with auspicious marks, they sang before assemblies of sages with purified minds. As their voices rose in song, the sages’ eyes brimmed with tears, moved by the power of the story. “Excellent! Excellent!” they exclaimed, overwhelmed with wonder and joy. The sages praised Kuśa and Lava, marveling at the sweetness of their song and the beauty of the verses. Though the events they sang of had happened long ago, the brothers brought them vividly before their listeners’ eyes, embodying the story in their performance. Their singing, filled with passion and skill, won them the admiration of all the great sages. Delighted by their art, the sages bestowed gifts upon the brothers: a water pot, bark garments, a black antelope skin, a sacred thread, a girdle of muñja grass, a staff, a loincloth, an axe, ochre robes, a matted hair band, a wooden rope, ritual vessels, a bundle of firewood, and a staff of udumbara wood. Some offered blessings, others prayed for their long life. All the truth-speaking sages gave gifts, acknowledging, “This wondrous tale has been proclaimed by the sage.” Thus, the Rāmāyaṇa became the supreme foundation for poets, completed in proper order and sung by those skilled in all songs. It brought long life, generated strength, and delighted all who heard it. Wherever Kuśa and Lava performed, they were praised by all. One day, as the brothers sang on the streets and royal roads, Rāma’s elder brother, Bharata, saw them and brought them to his house. Rāma, destroyer of enemies, honored the two worthy singers, welcoming them as he sat upon his golden throne, surrounded by counselors and brothers. Noticing their handsome forms and gentle manners, Rāma said to Lakṣmaṇa, Śatrughna, and Bharata, “Let us hear the story from these two, radiant as gods.” Encouraged, Kuśa and Lava sang the tale, their voices rich with meaning and emotion, drawing from the depths of their hearts. Their harmonies, supported by strings and rhythm, delighted every listener, the melody shining in the assembly. Rāma himself proclaimed, “These two ascetics, marked by royal birth, are skilled singers and great in austerity. Even I consider them wondrous. Now, listen to the noble story of their mighty deeds.” Thus prompted, the brothers began to sing in the proper way, and Rāma, seated among the assembly, became wholly absorbed in the desire to listen. And so begins the next chapter of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa: For all this earth, in ancient times, belonged entirely to those kings, victorious in battle, beginning with Prajāpati himself.