Uttar Kaanda
218 - Greatness of the Ramayana; Tulasidasa's prayer and reward of reciting this poem
Chaupais
Description
I have told you this narrative according to my own lights, although at first I kept it secret. I saw excessive fondness for the same in your heart and then I narrated to you the story of Sri Rama (the Lord of the Raghus). This story, however, should not be repeated to a perverse knave, who does not listen attentively to the story of Sri Hari; nor should it be recited to a greedy, irascible or lustful man who worship not the Lord of all animate and inanimate creation. It should never be repeated to a Brahmana-hater, be he a monarch as great as Indra (the lord of the celestials). They alone are qualified to hear Sri Rama's narrative, who are extremely fond of communion with holy men. They alone are fit to hear it, who are devoted to the feet of their preceptor, and are lovers of propriety and votaries of the Brahmanas. The story affords special delight to them who hold the graceful Lord of the Raghus dear as life.