We have looked at the great episode of Rama listening to Lava and Kusa sing Ramayana, unaware of them being his sons. There is an old telugu movie with the name ‘Lava Kusa’ which I watched long back. It taught me first about the two sons of Rama vivdly through good narration which helped me in writing the last post. There is this knack from telugu filmmakers of yesteryear in creating many good mythological movies. Watching those is like walking in a good library in itself. The hidden treasures of the ancient India which we hardly knew in the modern world are all carefully formatted in video form, acted in by great actors and there for the audience to entertain and learn at the same time. This filmmaking of ancient scriptures has been undertaken as a mission by those legendary Telugu actors and filmmakers. For example, the iconic NTR acted in over 50 mythological films throughout his career. They taught about the great epic literature of India more than anything else. Here I am giving a brief summary of the ‘Lava Kusa’ film, in which NTR acted as Rama.
Lava Kusa is a revered Telugu mythological drama based on the Uttara Kanda of the epic Ramayana. The film narrates the story of Lava and Kusa, the twin sons of Lord Rama and Sita, born and raised in sage Valmiki’s hermitage after Sita is exiled from Ayodhya. Unaware of their royal lineage, the boys grow up learning scriptures, warfare, and devotion. As Rama prepares for the Ashwamedha Yagna, his ceremonial horse enters Valmiki’s ashram. Lava and Kusa capture it, leading to a confrontation with Rama’s army. Their valor and skill astonish everyone, culminating in a dramatic battle with Rama himself. Eventually, Valmiki reveals their true identity, and Sita reunites with Rama only to return to Mother Earth, fulfilling her destiny. The film is celebrated for its emotional depth, powerful performances—especially by NTR as Rama—and its timeless music composed by Ghantasala. It was the first full-length color film in Telugu cinema and remains a cultural milestone, revered for its devotion, moral values, and cinematic grandeur.
I don’t intend to bring films into the epic narration but the holy undertakings by these filmmakers will equally or far better educate the audience about the great sons of Rama. We appreciate and internalize the characters better, and we understand the epic much better through this medium. Let us unify ourselves with these characters and cherish our ancient scriptures to lead an ethical, enriched life based out of these timeless principles. Watching this movie and then reading about this in Uttara Kanda, as I did, will give a clear view into the bond between Rama and Lava, Kusa. The sons of Rama are depicted in just 5 chapters in Uttara Kanda but it leaves a lasting impression on the beautiful descendants and successors of Rama.
Coming back to the brief of the last post, Lava and Kusha, disciples of Valmiki, began chanting the Ramayana in melodious verses, enchanting sages, kings, and citizens gathered for Rama’s Ashvamedha sacrifice. Their singing, accompanied by instruments, left even Rama astonished, for the story—his own life—was new to him. The assembly, filled with scholars, priests, and courtiers, marveled at the boys’ voices and likeness to Rama himself. When offered gold by Lakshmana, the boys declined, saying fruits and grains sufficed for ascetics. Curious, Rama asked about the poem, and they revealed it was composed by Valmiki, recounting his entire life in 24,000 verses. As the recitations continued over several days, Rama gradually realized that the boys were his own sons, born to Sita. This recognition brought forth the unresolved question of Sita’s purity. Determined to settle it publicly, Rama sent messengers to Valmiki’s hermitage, asking that Sita come forth to testify her innocence before the great assembly. Valmiki consented, and Rama announced that Sita would appear at dawn, setting the stage for a solemn and decisive moment in the epic.
In chapter 96, Valmiki leads Sita before Rama.
When the night ended, Rama, scion of the Raghu line, gathered at the sacrificial ground where he had summoned the foremost sages of the age. The assembly was immense and illustrious: Vasishtha, Vamadeva, Javali, Kashyapa, Vishvamitra, Dirghatmas, Durvasa, Paulastya, Shakti, Bhargava, Vamana, Markandeya, Dhirghayus, Maudgalya, Garga, Cyavana, Shatananda, Bharadvaja, Agniputra, Narada, Parvata, Gautama, and countless other ascetics renowned for their austerities. Alongside these rishis came kings, warriors, merchants, valiant monkeys, intrepid titans, and thousands of common folk from all castes and regions. Brahmins of rigid penance arrived from far and wide, filling the sacrificial grounds. The entire multitude stood still, as if frozen, united in anticipation of Sita’s testimony.
Amidst this solemn atmosphere, Sage Valmiki appeared, leading Sita toward the gathering. Her head was bowed, her hands folded, her body shaken by sobs, and her mind fixed on Rama. The sight of Sita, walking behind Valmiki like the sacred Shruti following Brahma, moved the assembly profoundly. Cries erupted on every side—some lamenting her misfortune, others hailing Rama, still others extolling Sita, while many praised both. The sorrow of the people was mingled with reverence and expectation as the princess entered the gathering.
Approaching Rama, Valmiki addressed him with clarity and authority. He introduced Sita as the virtuous lady wrongfully abandoned near his hermitage. He reminded Rama that this exile had not been due to her fault but arose from public calumny and the king’s fear of censure. Valmiki declared firmly that Sita was innocent and would prove it before all. He then revealed a truth that Rama had only begun to suspect: Lava and Kusha, the two heroic boys singing the Ramayana, were in fact Sita’s sons—and Rama’s as well.
To affirm his testimony, Valmiki invoked his own lifelong commitment to truth. As the tenth son of Pracetas, he reminded the assembly that he had never spoken a lie. He proclaimed that he had practiced severe austerities for countless years, and called upon those very austerities as witness: if Sita were guilty, may all his tapasya bear no fruit. He further testified that in the stillness of meditation, with his senses withdrawn and his mind illuminated, he had received divine insight confirming Sita’s absolute purity.
Valmiki emphasized that Sita was a woman of irreproachable conduct, wholly devoted to her husband, regarding him as her very god. He acknowledged Rama’s fear of public condemnation, which had driven him to abandon her despite knowing her innocence. Yet, with the authority of divine vision and moral certainty, Valmiki proclaimed before all gathered kings, sages, and citizens that Sita was chaste and without blame.
Thus, in that vast assembly of men, monkeys, titans, kings, and rishis, Valmiki’s voice resounded like a thunderclap: he vouched for Sita’s purity, declared Lava and Kusha as Rama’s true sons, and called upon the strength of his own penances to seal his testimony. With this, the stage was set for Sita herself to take her vow and publicly prove her innocence once and for all.
In chapter 97, Sita descends into the Earth.
After Valmiki’s solemn declaration of Sita’s purity, Rama—moved and humbled—responded with folded hands before the entire assembly. He affirmed that he fully agreed with the sage’s testimony. He reminded the gathering that Sita had once already taken an oath before the gods, which had convinced him of her innocence and led him to restore her to his household. Yet, despite his trust in her, Rama explained that the harsh judgment of the people forced him to send her away. Addressing Valmiki, he pleaded forgiveness for this action, confessing that fear of public condemnation had overpowered his personal conviction. At last, Rama openly acknowledged Lava and Kusha as his true sons and expressed his desire to reconcile with Sita in the presence of all.
At this critical moment, the foremost of the gods, led by Brahma, descended to witness the trial of Sita. The Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Vishvadevas, Maruts, Nagas, Siddhas, and other celestial beings joined the sages and kings already assembled. Their presence gave divine sanction to the proceedings. Rama, strengthened by their company, again proclaimed that he was in full agreement with Valmiki’s words and wished to be reunited with his faithful wife.
As anticipation mounted, Sita entered the assembly. She was clad in a yellow robe, her palms joined, her head bowed, and her eyes lowered. Her demeanor was humble yet resolute. All gazed at her in profound silence. With quiet dignity, she invoked her final vow: if her thoughts had never strayed from Rama, if she had always remained pure in heart and mind, then let the earth itself, personified as the goddess Madhavi (Dharani), receive her.
As her words rang out, a miracle unfolded before the astonished assembly. The ground split open, and from within arose a resplendent celestial throne borne aloft by Nagas of immense power. Their jeweled bodies shimmered with divine radiance. Upon this throne stood the Earth Goddess herself, glowing with compassion and majesty. Embracing Sita tenderly, Dharani welcomed her daughter and seated her upon the shining throne.
The heavens responded with wonder. A shower of celestial blossoms rained endlessly from the skies, while the gods resounded with acclamations of “Excellent! Excellent! O Sita, your virtue is supreme!” All creation joined in the chorus: sages, kings, warriors, monkeys, titans, humans, Nagas, and even beings from the underworld. Some cried aloud in joy, some wept in awe, while others were struck speechless, gazing alternately at Rama and the vision of Sita.
In that sacred moment, Sita, the princess of Mithila and queen of Ayodhya, vanished into the bosom of the earth, carried away by the Earth Goddess in full view of all. The entire world trembled in response: sky, earth, and nether realms shook in unison, as if acknowledging the weight of her departure. The miracle confirmed what Valmiki and the gods had proclaimed—her absolute chastity and unbroken fidelity.
Rama, the assembly, and the universe itself bore witness to this divine event. Sita’s final act of truth was not only her vindication but also her transcendence, as she returned to her eternal home, leaving behind a world still awestruck by her purity and sacrifice.
This concludes chapters 96 and 97 of Uttara Kanda where we had seen Valmiki leading Sita before Rama, forcefully telling Sita is chaste as fire and the drive of public condemnation caused Rama to leave her. When the ultimate test of purity come yet again, Sita, the noble daughter of Goddess Earth, proclaimed - ‘if her thoughts had never strayed from Rama, if she had always remained pure in heart and mind, then let the earth itself, receive her’. Much to the awe and astonishment of everyone, the land splits wide open, emerges goddess Earth and takes Sita with her. This tearful episode concludes Sita’s life as soulmate of Rama on living Earth and takes her back to where she came from. Just as she had spoken her brief words, telling if she is pure, she goes back into Earth. Her purity has so much power and her words has so much power that Goddess Earth emerges at the very moment and takes Sita with her. We will look at this episode in further review and Rama’s anger, grief at losing the invaluable Sita to a test of purity yet again in subsequent chapters.
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