ṛṣi: sage Valmiki, ślōkānāṅ caturviṅśatsahasrāṇi twenty four thousand verses, tathā and, pañca sargaśatān five hundred cantos, ṣaṭ kāṇḍāni six kandas, tathā and, uttaram in addition Uttarakanda, uktavān recite (composed).

tata: thereafter, munivēṣau wearing the apparel of ascetic, kuśīlavau two youngsters Kusa and Lava, cintayamānasya pondering over thus, bhāvitātmana: of the honoured person, tasya maharṣē: that sage Valmiki's, pādau feet, agṛhṇītām touched.

prabhu: the master, sa: that (Valmiki), mēdhāvinau endowed with intellect, vēdēṣu in the knowledge of vedas, pariniṣṭhitau accomplished, dṛṣṭvā having seen, vēdōpabṛṅhaṇārthāya for the purpose of nourishing the vedas, tau both of them, agrāhayata got them initiated.

gāndharvatattvajñau the twins who were well versed in music, mūrchanāsthānakōvidau learned in melody and pitch, bhrātarau the two brothers, svarasampannau endowed with sweet voice, rūpiṇau assuming human form, gandharvāviva like gandharvas, rūpalakṣaṇasampannau possessed of handsome features, madhurasvarabhāṣiṇau of sweet tone in conversation, bimbāt from the original image, rāmadēhāt from the body of Rama, uddhṛtau extracted, aparau bimbau iva like other reflected images, tau tu those two, pāṭhyē in recitation, gēyē ca in song, madhuram charming and attractive, tribhi: pramāṇai: (saha) to the three measures of time (slow, moderate, quick), anvitam having possessed of, saptabhi: jātibhi: with seven notes, baddham formed, tantrīlayasamanvitam adopted time to stringed instruments, śṛṅgārakāruṇyahāsyavīrabhayānakai: with the amorous, compassionate, humourous, courageous and fearful, raudrādibhiśca and also violent etc., rasai: moods, saṅyuktam endowed with, ētat this, kāvyam epic, agāyatām chanted.

mahātmānau great persons, mahābhāgau dignified ones, sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitau endowed with all good features, tau both of them, kadācit on a particular occasion, samētānām assembled at one place, bhāvitātmanām of honoured ones, āsīnānām of those who were seated, ṛṣīṇām ascetics', samīpasthau standing in their presence, idam this, kāvyam great epic, agāyatām chanted.

dharmavatsalā: tē sarvē all those who love dharma, munaya: sages, prītamanasa: pleased, praśastavyau praise-worthy, gāyamānau while both of them were chanting, kuśīlavau singers (Kusa and Lava), praśaśaṅsu: praised.

tau ubhau both of them, sahitau in unison, bhāvam in theme, suṣṭhu excellently, praviśya having entered, madhuram melodiusly, raktam entrancing, svarasampadā sadja and other notes, sampannam endowed with, samyak very well, agāyatām chanted.

kaścit some one from the assembly of, muni: sage, prīta: pleased, saṅsthita: seated there, tābhyām for both of them, kalaśam water-pitcher, dadau gave, mahāyaśā: renowned, kaścit another one, prasanna: delighted, valkalam bark garment, dadau gave.

āyuṣyam bestowing longevity, puṣṭijanakam causing nourishment (prosperity), sarvaśrutimanōharam to all pleasing to hear, abhigītam having sung well, idam this, gītam poem, praśasyamānau being admired, rathyāsu in the streets, rājamārgēṣu in principal roads, sarvatra everywhere, gāyakau singers Kusa and Lava, sarvagītēṣu among all kinds of songs, kōvidau proficient, kadācit on one occasion, bharatāgraja: Sri Rama, dadarśa saw them.

parantapa: tormentor of enemies, sa: prabhu: that Rama, sacivai: by ministers, bhrātṛbhiśca by brothers, upōpaviṣṭa: surrounded by, divyē in a splendid, kāñcanē golden, siṅhāsanē throne, āsīna: was seated.

dēvavarcasō: of both possessing lustre of devatas, anayō: of both of them, vicitrārthapadam portraying excellent sense and words, idam this, ākhyānam poem, samyak completely, śrūyatām let it be heard, tau gāyakau those singers, acōdayat urged.

śrōtrāśrayasukham comfortable to the sense of hearing, tat that, gēyam poem, janasaṅsadi in the assembly of men, sarvagātrāṇi all the sense organs, manāṅsi minds, hṛdayāni ca hearts also, hlādayat rejoicing, babhau shone.