Lav and Kush are very significant characters in the Ramayana. They are the twin sons of Lord Rama and Sita, born when the former was separated from the latter. The story of Lav and Kush is therefore one that portrays a different chapter in the Ramayana: one that defines the virtues of courage, justice, and devotion. It is in the Uttara Kanda, the last segment of the Ramayana, and completes that circle by merging the narrative of their lives with the destiny of Lord Rama and Sita.
Birth and Early Life of Luv and Kush
After his victory over Ravana, Lord Rama came back to Ayodhya and became an upright and just ruler. However, on account of some citizens of Ayodhya spreading gossip and suspicion about the chastity of Sita, Rama slowly sent Sita into exile. Sita, with a heavy heart but ever meek to her husband, shifted to the ashram of sage Valmiki in the forest. There she gave birth to her twin sons, Luv and Kush.
Valmiki, the exponent of the Ramayana, would train these two young princes in his ashram to be great men of virtue and archers, educating them regarding the Vedic knowledge. Sita, continuing to remain in exile, would raise her own sons with the qualities of valor, justice, and humility, but withhold from them their royal background and lineage to Lord Rama.
Luv and Kush’s Encounter with Lord Rama
- According to legend, as little boys, Luv and Kush were renowned for their exceptional archery skills and wiseness well beyond their age. One day, while wandering near the borders of the kingdom of Ayodhya, they came across Lord Rama’s royal horse, let loose to graze freely as a part of the Ashwamedha Yagna, a ritual to declare Rama’s sovereignty. According to custom, anyone who stopped the horse was obliged to challenge the king’s army to battle.
- Luv and Kush, not knowing Rama was their father, stopped the horse and challenged the soldiers who were sent with the horse. Despite their tender age, they fought with extraordinary prowess and defeated many of Rama’s finest warriors, including his brothers, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna.
- Luv and Kush did not know that the warrior coming as a soldier to face them was actually their father, Lord Rama. Neither did Lord Rama know that the two warriors were his children. Only the wise sage Valmiki understood this fact and brought the brotherly love of the two home. The reunion was emotional when Rama found that the two courageous boys were his sons.
The Reunion of Rama, Sita, Luv, and Kush
- After the war, Luv and Kush were taken to Ayodhya. It was here that they met their father, but one single happy reunion could not mend the damage that had been done. Sita continued to be hurt by the infidelity of her husband, and thus she offered her body to Mother Earth to be free from all bondage on earth.
- Although still grieved over Sita’s leaving, Rama took his two sons into his life. Later on, Luv and Kush were made kings for the future to rule Ayodhya and proved to be true representatives of Lord Rama with absolute honor and righteousness.
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