The venerable sage Vālmīki, moved by the grandeur and virtue of Rāma’s life, composed the entire story of Rāma, who had attained his kingdom, using wondrous words filled with profound meaning. With great care, the sage crafted twenty-four thousand verses, arranged into five hundred sargas, six kāṇḍas, and a supplementary Uttara section. Having brought this immense work to completion—even including events yet to unfold—the wise Vālmīki pondered within himself, “Who indeed shall recite this noble poem?” As he reflected, Vālmīki’s gaze fell upon the king’s two sons, Kuśa and Lava. These brothers, righteous and renowned, dwelled in the hermitage, blessed with melodious voices and virtuous hearts. Perceiving their intelligence and mastery of the Vedas, Vālmīki resolved to teach them the poem, thus enhancing the sacred tradition. He imparted to them the entire Rāmāyaṇa: the great story of Sītā, and the destruction of the son of Pulastya. This poem, sweet to recite and sing, was adorned with three measures and seven kinds of metrical patterns, accompanied by the music of strings and rhythm. It was filled with the many sentiments of life—love, compassion, humor, fury, terror, heroism, and more. The brothers sang the verses, their voices skillful in the science of music, intonation, and modulation. They appeared like incarnate Gandharvas, beautiful and auspicious, their speech sweet, as if they were images sprung from Rāma himself. Having mastered the noble and righteous narrative, the royal sons rendered the poem flawlessly. In gatherings of sages, twice-borns, and virtuous people, they sang as instructed, with full concentration, revealing their understanding of the poem’s essence. Great-souled and greatly fortunate, adorned with all auspicious marks, the two brothers sang at times among assemblies of sages whose minds were purified by tapas. When they stood in the midst of such an assembly and sang, the sages listened with eyes brimming with tears. Overcome with wonder, they exclaimed, “Excellent! Excellent!” Their hearts filled with joy, the sages praised the Kuśīlava singers, marveling at the sweetness of the song and especially of the verses. Though the events described had happened long ago, the brothers brought them to life before the listeners’ very eyes, embodying the story in their song. Together, Kuśa and Lava sang with passion and accomplished melody, earning the praise of the great sages renowned for their austerity. As their performance grew even sweeter and more heartfelt, a delighted sage gave them a water pot; another, pleased and illustrious, gave them bark garments. Others offered a black antelope skin, a sacred thread, a water vessel, a girdle of muñja grass, a staff, a loincloth, an axe, ochre robes, a band for matted hair, ritual vessels, a bundle of firewood, and a staff of udumbara wood. Some gave blessings, and others joyfully pronounced words of long life. Thus, all the truth-speaking sages bestowed gifts upon them, saying, “This wondrous tale has been proclaimed by the sage.” For this poem is the supreme foundation of poets, completed in proper order and sung by those skilled in all songs. It bestows long life, generates strength, and delights all who hear it. Everywhere the two singers went, they were praised for their performance. One day, as the two Kuśīlavas sang on the streets and royal roads, the elder brother of Bharata saw them and brought them to his own house. Rāma, destroyer of enemies, honored the two worthy brothers. Seated upon a divine golden throne, surrounded by his counselors and brothers, Rāma beheld the handsome and well-mannered singers. Turning to Lakṣmaṇa, Śatrughna, and Bharata, he said, “Let us hear the story from these two, radiant as gods.” He encouraged Kuśa and Lava to perform the tale, rich in meaning and expression. The brothers sang sweetly and passionately, their voices drawn from the depths of their hearts, accompanied by harmonious strings and rhythm. Their song delighted every limb, mind, and heart, its melody shining in the assembly. Rāma declared, “These two ascetics, bearing the marks of royal birth, are also skilled singers and great in austerity. They are wondrous even in my eyes. Now, listen to the noble story of their mighty deeds.” Prompted by Rāma’s words, the brothers began to sing, following the proper method. And as they sang, Rāma, seated among the assembly, gradually became absorbed in the desire to listen. Now, hear the fifth chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. In days long past, all this earth belonged entirely to those kings, victorious in battle, beginning with Prajāpati himself. Among them was Sagara, famed for having dug the ocean, surrounded by sixty thousand sons as he journeyed. In the line of those great-souled kings of the Ikṣvāku dynasty arose this great tale, known as the Rāmāyaṇa. Now, the entire story shall be recounted from the very beginning, accompanied by righteousness, desire, and wealth; it is to be heard without envy.