The Lineage of Rama Comes to Life - Sita Gives Birth to Lava and Kusha

We have arrived at the auspicious moment of birth of Lava and Kusha, the twin sons of ideal couple Rama and Sita. Let us recall some backdrop here. After the final battle with Ravana in which Rama emerged victorious, Rama and Sita are reunited, and Rama’s rule began in Ayodhya when he was enthroned as King following elaborate ceremony. Few days have passed when the noble couple lived with content after the lengthy exile and painful days of abduction. However, rumors swirled in the kingdom about the chastity of Sita as she lived in the captivity of Ravana for some time and the virtue of Rama in accepting her back. Despite Sita proving her purity through the Agni Pariksha (trial by fire), Rama, as a king, prioritized his duty to uphold his people's trust and maintain the integrity of his rule. Rama made the painful decision to send Sita to the hermitage of sage Valmiki in the forest. Lakshmana carried out the orders of Rama and left Sita in the abode of Valmiki. It can be noted here that Rama left Sita, his own better half and ideal form of womanhood over the priority he has given to the duties as a king. He prioritized greater good and people welfare over his deep personal bond and familial relationships. He terminated the immense attachment to Sita and became detached as a husband and father, leaving her in forest when she is about to give birth to his valuable progeny. Once again, this points to his unwavering dharma as a noble king over personal desires, meeting societal expectations against personal truth and immense personal sacrifice. Succinctly, he prioritized kingdom over personal self, and this is how the story panned out as it passed down to generations leading to the clues of his heart which never falters. Though Rama is largely separated, it is a celebration time in the abode of Valmiki as Sita gives birth to twins which can be seen in following chapters.

We are following Shatrughna as he sets out to fight Lavana following Rama’s detailed guidance. After a month's march, Shatrughna paused and visited Sage Valmiki, who warmly welcomed him. There, Shatrughna learned about King Saudasa, an ancestor cursed by Sage Vasishtha to become a cannibal after being tricked by a Rakshasa. Known thereafter as Kalmashapada, Saudasa later regained his throne. The fertile land near Valmiki’s hermitage was the site of Saudasa’s Ashvamedha sacrifice. After respectfully hearing the tale, Shatrughna rested at the hermitage, ready to continue his mission at dawn. The night brings a surpise in the form of birth of Lava and Kusha. 

In chapter 66, the birth of Rama’s descendants – Lava and Kusha can be seen. 

During the night Shatrughna spent in the leaf-thatched hut at Sage Valmiki’s hermitage, a momentous event occurred. Sita, Rama’s consort, gave birth to twin sons. At midnight, the youthful ascetics of the hermitage hurried to Valmiki with the joyous news, informing the sage that the blessed Sita had safely delivered two children. They urged the great Rishi to perform protective rites to safeguard the newborns from evil influences. 

Hearing their request, the venerable Valmiki proceeded to the spot where Sita lay with her infants. Upon seeing the twin boys, radiant and full of life like divine offspring, his heart swelled with joy. With profound reverence and care, Valmiki undertook the Rakshasa Rite to protect them. Using a handful of Kusha grass with roots intact, he chanted sacred mantras to bless the children. 

Valmiki then declared that the names of the twins would be derived from the ritual itself. Since the firstborn would be rubbed with the blessed Kusha grass, he would be named Kusha. The second child, carefully dried and purified with the same sacred grass, would be called Lava. Thus, the sage pronounced that the two boys would henceforth be renowned as Kusha and Lava, destined for fame. 

Following Valmiki’s instructions, the female ascetics, having purified themselves, reverently received the Kusha grass from the sage and carefully applied it to the two newborns, completing the protection rite with utmost devotion. 

Meanwhile, Shatrughna, who was still resting at the hermitage, heard the delightful tidings. He was informed of the birth of the twins, their divinely ordained names, and the auspicious circumstances of their arrival. Overjoyed, he approached the hut where Sita lay and respectfully greeted her, offering heartfelt blessings, “O Mother, be you happy!” 

For Shatrughna, the night, coinciding with the rainy season of the month of Shravana, passed swiftly and joyously, filled with the auspicious atmosphere of Sita’s twin sons’ birth. 

At the break of dawn, after completing his morning devotions with proper rites and prayers, Shatrughna, with joined palms, bowed respectfully to Sage Valmiki. Having received the sage’s blessings, he prepared to continue his mission to defeat the demon Lavana, as instructed by Lord Rama. 

Resuming his journey, Shatrughna marched for seven days with his army until he reached the banks of the Yamuna River. There, he decided to rest at a renowned hermitage inhabited by illustrious Rishis. These sages, famed for their wisdom and piety, welcomed the prince warmly. Among them, the venerable sage Kancana stood out as their leader. 

In the tranquil surroundings of the hermitage, Shatrughna spent the night engaging in meaningful conversations with the ascetics. They shared with him the ancient and inspiring legends of great Rishis, including the tales of Cyavana, a revered figure from the illustrious lineage of Bhrigu, and other esteemed sages. These discussions, filled with wisdom and devotion, brought Shatrughna great delight. 

Thus, filled with spiritual nourishment and inspiration from these sacred exchanges, Shatrughna rested peacefully, preparing for the next phase of his noble mission with renewed strength and determination. 

In chapter 67, we can look at the story of Mandhata. 

As night descended, Shatrughna sought guidance from the sage Cyavana, son of Bhrigu, regarding the strength and power of the demon Lavana. With respectful curiosity, Shatrughna asked the sage about Lavana’s weapon, inquiring who the demon had previously slain using his fearsome shaft in battle. 

Cyavana, known for his virtue and wisdom, answered Shatrughna with a story that revealed the formidable might of Lavana. He recounted the tale of Mandhata, a descendant of the great King Ikshvaku and son of Yuvanashva. Mandhata was an extraordinary monarch, famed throughout the three worlds for his valor and strength. His conquests were so complete that he placed the entire earth under his dominion. Yet, Mandhata’s ambition knew no bounds, and he soon aspired to ascend even higher—to conquer the celestial realms and claim Indra’s throne among the gods. 

This bold intention caused great alarm among the deities. Indra, the King of Heaven and Slayer of Paka, decided to confront Mandhata. Addressing the powerful king in appeasing tones, Indra pointed out that Mandhata’s conquest of the earth was not yet complete. There still remained a formidable obstacle—Lavana, the Rakshasa son of Madhu, who dwelled deep within the forest and refused to acknowledge Mandhata’s sovereignty. 

At Indra’s words, Mandhata was deeply shamed. Though his pride was wounded, he accepted Indra’s statement and withdrew with bowed head. Returning to earth, Mandhata concealed his anger and swiftly gathered a mighty force of servants, infantry, and cavalry to challenge Lavana. With great determination, he dispatched a messenger to summon Lavana to battle, instructing the envoy to deliver words of harsh challenge. 

However, when the messenger reached Lavana, the outcome was grim. Before the envoy could finish speaking, Lavana, filled with savage rage, seized the messenger and devoured him on the spot. When the messenger failed to return, Mandhata, enraged, launched a furious attack against Lavana, raining a storm of arrows upon the demon. 

Yet Lavana, undaunted, took up his terrible trident—an unrivaled weapon imbued with devastating power. With mocking disdain, the demon hurled the flaming trident at Mandhata and his army. The weapon's might was so overwhelming that it reduced the king, his soldiers, and all his forces to ashes instantly. After completing its dreadful work, the trident returned to Lavana’s hand, leaving no trace of Mandhata’s once-glorious army. 

Thus, Cyavana explained, it was by the terrible power of Lavana’s trident that the mighty Mandhata, celebrated among men, met his end. The sage warned Shatrughna that Lavana’s strength lay primarily in his possession of this trident; without it, the demon was vulnerable. 

Encouraging Shatrughna with confident assurance, Cyavana revealed that the following morning would present a perfect opportunity. Lavana, driven by hunger, would venture forth in search of food, leaving his trident behind. It would be then, in that brief window before Lavana could arm himself, that Shatrughna must strike. 

Cyavana concluded by affirming that victory was within Shatrughna’s grasp. The defeat of Lavana would liberate the world from his tyranny, and Shatrughna’s name would be celebrated for generations to come. Thus, with the sage’s detailed counsel and a heart filled with courage, Shatrughna prepared for the battle that would define his destiny. 

This concludes chapters 66 and 67 of Uttara Kanda where we had seen Sita giving birth to twins when Shatrughna came to the hermitage of Valmiki. The kids will one day reach Rama and re-unite with his father and we can wait for the story. Before that it can be known that Rama is completely unaware and retracted to himself serving as king when Lava and Kusha are born. There are no major festivities in the kingdom, nor the people are aware of this until much later. The newborns are under the custody of Valmiki who gets the fortune to overlook the divine mother and her infants at their momentous time. This episode is touched upon with minimum importance in the book as the story follows the trial of Shatrughna pursuing Lavana. Shatrughna takes leave of Valmiki and reaches Cyavana who narrates the story of Mandhata getting slayed by Lavana with his powerful trident. We can look at how these words of caution alerts Shatrughna as he encounters and kills Lavana in subsequent chapters.

Hanuman Jayanti and Shatrughna Prepares for Battle and Visits Valmiki On the Way

We are navigating through a series of festivals every weekend these days. After Ugadi and Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti came upon us this weekend. April 12th is celebrated as Hanuman Jayanti, predominantly in north India. According to telugu calendar, Hanuman Jayanti is observed on May 22nd this year. There is the ambiguity every year where Indians are divided in observing this Hindu festival where few observe in April and few other in May. Nonetheless, we observe Hanuman Jayanti on May 22nd. It has been a tradition for me to chant Hanuman chalisa 108 times on the eve of Hanuman Jayanti to invoke the blessings of my name equivalent God or the God after whom I was named. In this day and age, it is very important to pray and get the blessings of Lord Hanuman for we never knew how unbearable, unstable and uncertain things can get and to pull them back within safe limits. I had observed the festival even in U.S. over the last three years where I chanted the prayer 108 times. We should definitely need to invoke the blessings of the most powerful Lord ever known to give strength, courage and safety in these difficult times. As long as we tread the path of dharma, the prayers will be answered by the gods and festivals bear a lot of meaning to celebrate. But once the mistakes outnumber the good deeds and we are on wrong path, no amount of worship will suffice. Hence it is important to walk on the correct good path, lead exemplary lives and seek good, positive environment for one and all. We cannot do misdeeds or walk on wrong path on one hand and pray on the other hand for it will be futile. Nevertheless, let us wish our prayers will be answered to lead us into correct path and cast brighter days upon us. 

April 12th, 2025, marks Hanuman Jayanti, also known as Hanuman Janmotsav, which celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman. Hanuman Jayanti is a profound celebration deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and cultural tradition. Observed on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Chaitra month, this festive occasion marks the divine birth of Lord Hanuman, revered as the epitome of strength, courage, and unwavering devotion. Born to Anjana and Kesari, and blessed by Vayu, the wind god, Hanuman’s arrival symbolizes the intervention of divine energy meant to inspire humanity and help overcome life’s adversities. The backdrop of this festival is interwoven with the rich tapestry of the Ramayana, India’s ancient epic and the one we are studying that recounts the noble deeds of Lord Rama and his steadfast devotee, Hanuman. Recitations of the Hanuman Chalisa and sections from the Sundar Kand fill the air with praises of Hanuman’s virtues, his feats being vocalized through melodious chants that echo in every corner on this day. At its core, Hanuman Jayanti is more than a religious observance; it is a celebration of the human spirit’s capacity to rise above adversity through faith and dedication. 

Going back to the story, we had seen that Shatrughna was installed as King to fight Lavana. During a tense gathering with ascetics in Rama’s presence, the sages recounted the gruesome deeds of Lavana, a demon terrorizing the forest of Madhu by slaughtering animals and ascetics alike. Troubled by their accounts, Rama vowed to vanquish the monstrous foe. When he asked which brother would undertake the mission, Bharata volunteered; however, the humble Shatrughna argued that Bharata deserved respite after his trials during Rama’s exile. Acknowledging his younger brother’s unwavering devotion, Rama appointed Shatrughna to defeat Lavana and rule over Madhu, emphasizing that justice required a wise ruler even after a tyrant’s fall. Before Shatrughna departed, Rama arranged a consecration ceremony and gifted him a divine arrow forged by Brahma, instructing him to ambush Lavana when unarmed. Shatrughna accepted his duty with humility, determined to restore dharma and bring justice to the land. We can look at the following to see how Shatrughna prepares for the battle. 

In chapter 64, Shatrughna sets out to meet Lavana. 

After offering guidance and encouragement to Shatrughna, the noble scion of the House of Raghu, Lord Rama continued his detailed instructions with thoughtful care. Understanding the gravity of the mission to defeat the demon Lavana, Rama made full preparations for Shatrughna’s success. He granted him a formidable force consisting of four thousand horses, two thousand chariots, and a hundred specially chosen elephants. In addition, Rama provided abundant provisions, stalls, singers, dancers, and generous amounts of gold and silver to support the journey and ensure the morale of the army remained high. 

Rama emphasized the importance of maintaining a contented and loyal army, stating that in the absence of wealth, women, or familial bonds, true loyalty among servants and soldiers could not be sustained. Through kind words and generous gifts, Shatrughna was to keep his forces cheerful, disciplined, and motivated. Rama warned him to proceed with caution, advising that secrecy was essential to success. Lavana, son of Madhu, was a fearsome demon who could only be defeated by surprise; any direct, announced confrontation would end in certain defeat. Thus, Rama instructed Shatrughna to approach the Madhu forest undetected. 

Rama judged the timing ideal: the heat of summer was waning, and the rainy season was near—a favorable moment for military movement. He instructed Shatrughna to dispatch the army, led by great Rishis, ahead toward the river Jahnavi to make use of the remaining dry season for safe crossing. Meanwhile, Shatrughna, swift and strategic, was to go ahead with his bow, and carefully prepare the camps at a spot previously designated, ensuring no discomfort for the marching army. 

After these commands, Shatrughna reverently circled Rama, bowed with humility, and paid respect to his brothers Bharata and Lakshmana, as well as to the revered family priest, Vasishtha. With Rama’s blessings and permission, Shatrughna, now fully equipped and spiritually prepared, departed on his mission. The brave warrior organized his massive army of elephants, horses, and chariots, and led them forward toward Madhuvana, determined to fulfill his duty and destroy the tyrannical Lavana. 

In chapter 65, the story of Saudasa who is cursed by the sage Vasishtha is detailed. 

As Shatrughna led his army on a month-long march, he eventually commanded them to halt and proceeded alone on foot with great speed. Two days later, he arrived at the sacred hermitage of Sage Valmiki. Humbly approaching the renowned Rishi with folded hands, Shatrughna asked for permission to stay the night, stating that he would continue westward at dawn to fulfill the mission entrusted to him by his elder brother, Lord Rama. 

Valmiki warmly welcomed the prince, reminding him that the hermitage was also a legacy of the Raghu dynasty, to which Shatrughna belonged. With great affection, the sage offered him a seat and water for refreshment, treating him with hospitality and reverence. Shatrughna accepted the fruits and roots offered to him and, once satisfied, posed a question to the sage. He inquired about the fertile land located east of the hermitage, noting its sacrificial nature and seeming spiritual significance. 

Valmiki then shared a remarkable story tied to Shatrughna’s own lineage. The land once belonged to King Saudasa, an ancestor of Shatrughna, also known as Mitrasaha. During a hunting expedition, Saudasa encountered two Rakshasas in the form of tigers devouring countless antelopes. Outraged at their destruction, he killed one of them with a long spear. The surviving Rakshasa, grief-stricken and vengeful, cursed the king, promising retribution in the future before vanishing. 

Later, Saudasa's son, Mitrasaha, became king and performed a grand Ashvamedha sacrifice near Valmiki’s hermitage, with Sage Vasishtha officiating. This splendid sacrifice continued for several years and gained the admiration of gods and men alike. However, the surviving Rakshasa returned, bent on revenge. Disguised as Vasishtha, he approached the king and demanded a flesh-based meal at the sacrifice’s conclusion. 

Unaware of the trickery, King Saudasa ordered his cooks to prepare an elaborate flesh dish. But the Rakshasa, having assumed the form of a cook, personally prepared a dish of human flesh and presented it to the king, who in turn offered it to Vasishtha. The sage, immediately realizing the nature of the offering, was furious and cursed the king to become a cannibal who would henceforth feed on human flesh. 

As Saudasa prepared to retaliate with a curse of his own, his wife, Queen Madayanti, intervened and advised against cursing a brahmin, reminding him of the priest's divine status. Saudasa heeded her words, but as he poured out the water meant for the curse, it accidentally spilled on his feet, staining them. From that time onward, he became known as Kalmashapada, or "One with Spotted Feet." 

Repentant, the king and queen prostrated before Vasishtha and explained the deception caused by the Rakshasa. The sage, though unable to retract the curse, softened its effect by granting a boon that Saudasa would be freed from it in twelve years and forget the incident thereafter. In time, Saudasa regained his kingdom and ruled justly once more. 

Thus, Valmiki concluded the tale, explaining that the land Shatrughna had asked about was the site of this legendary sacrifice by King Kalmashapada. Listening respectfully, Shatrughna bowed to the sage and retired to the thatched hut to rest before resuming his journey. 

This concludes chapters 64 and 65 where we had seen Shatrughna preparing for the battle with the support from Rama and reaching Valmiki’s hermitage on the way. Valimiki gives an account of king Saudasa from Shatrughna’s ancestry who ruled at the site of hermitage. Saudasa stains his feet and becomes known as Kalmashapada when the water meant for cursing fell on his feet. Shatrughna retires for the night after the tale was narrated by Valmiki in his hermitage. It is to be noted that Sita was also left in the same abode by Lakshmana at the direction of Rama. The very night Shatrughna retired to rest after arriving, Sita gives birth to twins – Lava and Kusha which can be seen in subsequent chapters.