The Ashvamedha sacrifice is being undertaken by Rama and we had seen how well it has been organized with all the benevolence and charity. We also looked at the modern-day interpretation of this implementation which took place during Rama’s reign in history. As the disciples of sage Valmiki, another salient feature of this sacrifice was the emergence of Lava and Kusha on the scene. When you perform something holy, it will have many positive reverberations. One of the outcomes of the Ashvamedha sacrifice, besides doing wonders to the citizens of the land, is the arrival of Lava, Kusha and the meeting with their father Rama. We will look at their mesmerizing singing of Ramayana in front of Rama in the following chapters. This will be the best personal outcome Rama can hope for which has been made possible by the divine ritual.
Before getting there, legend has it that Lava, Kusha nearly fought with Rama during Ashvamedha sacrifice. To learn about this let us look at what really constitutes the horse or Ashvamedha sacrifice. The main component of ritual, besides the magnanimous charity, revolves around a roaming horse. The horse plays a central role, and Lava and Kusha’s actions around it are pivotal to the story that unfolds. A consecrated horse is released to roam freely for one year as part of sacrifice, guarded by the king’s warriors. The horse symbolizes the king’s authority. Any kingdom that stops or challenges the horse is seen as rejecting the king’s sovereignty and battle will be fought by the accompanied warriors. If the horse returns unchallenged, the king is declared undisputed ruler and the horse is ritually sacrificed. During Rama’s Ashvamedha, the horse wandered into the forest near Valmiki’s hermitage, where Lava and Kusha were living with Sita. Unaware of their royal lineage, the twins captured the horse, seeing it as a challenge to their territory. This act triggered a series of battles: Lava and Kusha defeated several of Rama’s warriors, including Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna, and even Hanuman. Eventually, Rama himself came to confront them, leading to the dramatic reunion with Sita and the revelation that Lava and Kusha were his sons. This is a story which tells about the excellent warrior skills of Lava, Kusha as they nearly defeated Rama’s army at a tender age. The sons nearly battle Rama if not for Valmiki’s intervention.
Besides their proficient archery skills, the young kids are also extremely sweet in singing Ramayana. To know about this, let us look briefly at the last post and learn from the continuation. During Rama’s grand Ashvamedha sacrifice, Sage Valmiki’s disciples arrived and set up simple huts nearby, bringing carts of fruits and roots that filled the hermitage with abundance. Valmiki then entrusted his beloved disciples, Lava and Kusha—the sons of Sita—with a sacred task: to sing the Ramayana at the yajna. He instructed them to perform joyfully and respectfully in every sacred place—among sages, Brahmins, travelers, princes, and at Rama’s own pavilion. Valmiki assured them their pure food would keep their voices clear, and advised humility, truthfulness, and devotion, with no expectation of reward. They were to sing twenty sections at a time, carefully maintaining rhythm and meaning, and when asked, declare themselves disciples of Valmiki. To enhance their performance, he gave them special instruments. Setting dawn as the time to begin, he urged them to sing with cheerful hearts. The boys humbly agreed, preparing with devotion to carry forth their teacher’s command.
In chapter 94, Lava and Kusha chant Ramayana.
When dawn broke, Lava and Kusha, the youthful disciples of Sage Valmiki, rose early, bathed, and performed the morning rites by kindling the sacred fire. Then, as their teacher had instructed, they began to sing the great poem composed by Valmiki—the story of Rama’s life. Their song was set to sweet melodies, in measured rhythm, accompanied by unique stringed instruments. The music, flowing in many cadences, filled the air, enchanting all who heard it. Even Rama, listening to the boys, was left puzzled and amazed, for the poem was new to him, and the singers’ voices carried a divine charm.
During a pause in the Ashvamedha sacrifice, Rama invited an august assembly to hear these young musicians. He summoned sages, kings, scholars, priests, interpreters of the Vedas, experts in omens, learned grammarians, philosophers, musicians, dancers, and all who were skilled in metre, accents, astronomy, rituals, and aesthetics. This vast gathering, wise in many sciences and arts, filled the sacrificial grounds with eager anticipation.
Into this grand assembly, Rama brought Lava and Kusha. The two boys, with matted locks and bark garments, stood humbly before the crowd and began to sing. Their recitation rolled forth like the song of heavenly Gandharvas, mesmerizing everyone. The beauty of their voices, the harmony of their instruments, and the depth of Valmiki’s poetry left the audience spellbound. Ascetics, rulers, and scholars alike were captivated, gazing at the boys as though drinking in their presence. Again and again, they whispered to one another in wonder: “These two look exactly like Rama himself! If not for their ascetic dress, we could not tell them apart from the king. They are his mirror image, like twin stars shining in the sky.”
As the townsfolk and courtiers marveled, Lava and Kusha continued their song. They had begun with the opening verses, following the musical guidance once given by Sage Narada, and by afternoon had sung through the first twenty Sargas (chapters) of the Ramayana. Rama, deeply moved by the performance, turned to his brother Lakshmana and said, “Give these two musicians eighteen thousand gold coins, and whatever else they may wish for!” At once, Lakshmana brought the treasures and offered them respectfully to the boys.
But Lava and Kusha gently refused. With wide eyes and simple words, they said, “What use is gold or silver to us? Fruits, roots, and grains are enough for ascetics like ourselves in the forest.” Their refusal astonished everyone present. The courtiers, priests, and attendants were amazed at such detachment from worldly wealth in ones so young.
Rama, intrigued and eager to know more, asked them: “What is this remarkable poem you are singing? Who is the sage who created such a noble work? Where does this great poet live?”
With humility, the boys replied, “This poem is the work of the blessed Valmiki, the son of Bhrigu, who even now is attending your sacrifice. In it, your entire life has been told—your deeds, your struggles, your triumphs—everything is woven into twenty-four thousand verses, with a hundred tales and episodes, five hundred Sargas, and six great Kandas, together with the Uttarakanda. It is the complete story of your life, O King. If you desire, we will recite it to you in full during the intervals of the sacrifice.”
Hearing these words, Rama, along with the assembled sages, kings, and citizens, listened with delight as Lava and Kusha continued their melodious chanting, each verse accompanied by rhythm and music. At the end of that day’s performance, he returned to the sacrificial pavilion, his heart deeply touched by the song.
Thus, in the midst of the Ashvamedha sacrifice, the Ramayana was sung for the first time by Lava and Kusha, enchanting all of Ayodhya and leaving Rama himself in awe of the divine poem that revealed his life’s story.
In chapter 95, Rama sends for Sita.
For many days, Rama sat among a vast gathering of sages, kings, and even the noble monkeys, listening with wonder as Lava and Kusha sang the epic story of his life. Their voices carried the sublime verses of Valmiki’s Ramayana, and the entire assembly was moved by the beauty and depth of the song. As the boys sang, Rama gradually realized something extraordinary: these young musicians were none other than his own sons, born to Sita.
Struck by this realization, Rama reflected deeply. He knew that the time had come to address the painful question of Sita’s purity, which had caused her exile long ago. In the great assembly, he summoned messengers of noble conduct and gave them a solemn instruction. “Go,” Rama said, “to the Blessed Lady, the daughter of Janaka, and speak these words on my behalf: ‘If she is without blame and free of sin, then, with Sage Valmiki’s consent, let her come tomorrow at dawn and prove her innocence before all. Let her give testimony of her purity in this very assembly.’ Bring me word of her response.”
Obeying Rama’s command, the messengers immediately went to Valmiki’s hermitage. Bowing respectfully before the radiant sage, they conveyed Rama’s message with humility. “O revered one,” they said, “King Rama wishes that tomorrow, in the presence of all, Sita should declare her purity through a solemn vow, if you too approve.”
Hearing these words, Valmiki—illustrious and full of divine brilliance—responded calmly: “So be it. May all go well.” With this simple blessing, he gave his consent. The messengers, relieved, returned swiftly to Rama and faithfully reported the sage’s reply.
When Rama heard Valmiki’s agreement, his heart was filled with joy. Turning to the assembly of rishis, kings, and courtiers, he spoke clearly and firmly: “O blessed ones, tomorrow Sita, the daughter of Janaka, will appear before us. In your presence, and in the presence of your disciples, these mighty kings and their retinues, and all who wish to witness it, she shall take her vow and attest her purity.”
These words of Rama, noble and dignified, were praised by the entire gathering. The sages raised their voices in approval, and the kings too commended him, saying: “Such conduct, O Rama, is found nowhere else in the world. Only you, the embodiment of dharma, could act with such fairness and courage.” Their words showed their deep respect for Rama’s commitment to righteousness, even when it meant putting his own family to the test before the world.
Having set the course of action, Rama, the scourge of his foes, concluded with firmness: “Tomorrow, this vow shall be made.” With that declaration, he dismissed the assembly. The sages, kings, and attendants dispersed for the evening, filled with anticipation of what was to come.
Thus, the stage was prepared for one of the most solemn moments in the epic. On the following day, Sita, long exiled and wronged, would stand before all—sages, kings, citizens, and her own husband—to make a final and unshakable declaration of her purity. Rama, having resolved upon this trial by oath, awaited the dawn that would bring the momentous test.
This concludes chapters 94 and 95 of Uttara Kanda where we had seen Lava and Kusha singing Ramayana in the gatherings, including the one with Rama. When Rama recognized their innate skills and gave them a bigger stage, the kids proved the mettle yet again. Lava and Kusha sang about Rama in front of Rama as the two sons of Rama. There can be no more beautiful divine co-incidence and orchestration for the holy confluence between noble father and his like sons. After hearing to their mesmerizing voices captivatingly singing the greatest soulful poem composed by Valmiki on the most ideal person, everyone came to understand the two sons look exactly like Rama. After seeing this, Rama was drawn into his abode that night feeling for Sita as he came to know their two sons bring her to his memory. He immediately sent for Sita seeking her arrival from exile and face a test of purity yet again. We can look at Valmiki leading Sita before Rama and Sita descending into Earth, returning to her mother and ending her presence on Earth in subsequent chapters.
No comments:
Post a Comment