The Reunion of Ram with Lav and Kush

Ram smiled as he nocked an arrow and shot it, deliberately aiming away from the boys. Lav and Kush retaliated by shooting arrows at Ram, but he skillfully neutralized all their attacks. The boys were puzzled as to why Ram wasn't trying to harm them. Hanuman, also confused by the situation, became incensed when he saw the boys showering arrows at his Lord. With his mace in hand, he joined the battle. This angered Kush, who wanted to teach Hanuman a lesson. A fierce battle ensued between Hanuman and Kush, ultimately resulting in Hanuman's defeat. Kush then tied Hanuman's hands and feet. The boys, eager to show their victory, took Hanuman to Valmeeki's ashram.

Though furious, Hanuman accompanied Lav and Kush like an emotionless machine. The twins tied him to a tree outside the ashram and then went inside. Seeta noticed her sons' cheerful demeanor and inquired about the reason. They eagerly told her they had brought a wonderful gift. Seeta, curious yet unaware of what the gift could be, stepped outside and was horrified to see Hanuman bound. She was at a loss for words, unsure how to ask for Hanuman's forgiveness for her sons' grave mistake. But Hanuman, upon seeing Seeta, forgot his anger. He bowed to her and explained that her sons had unknowingly captured the horse of the Ashvamedh Yagya. He recounted how the boys had defeated Shatrughna, Lakshman, Bharat, and the Ayodhya army, compelling Ram to join the battle.

Seeta was torn between pride in her sons' valor and shame at their foolishness. Determined to prevent a battle between father and sons, she sternly ordered Lav and Kush to untie Hanuman. The boys, terrified of their mother's wrath, quickly freed Hanuman and fled. Seeta then approached Maharshi Valmeeki and narrated the events, lamenting that her children had brought disgrace upon the family. She implored the Maharshi to stop the battle immediately. The omniscient Maharshi, who had witnessed the events, consoled Seeta.

The next morning, Lav and Kush prepared to resume the battle. Ram also arrived at the battlefield. Lav and Kush boldly advised him to flee if he valued his life. Ram, not wanting to dampen their spirits, refrained from revealing his identity and simply commented on their precociousness.

Ram attempted to persuade Lav and Kush to return peacefully to their guru's ashram, suggesting it was in everyone's best interest. However, this only infuriated the boys, who declared that they would rather die in battle than retreat. Hearing this, Ram nocked an arrow. Just then, Maharshi Valmeeki arrived and commanded both sides to cease fighting. Ram descended from his chariot and respectfully touched the Maharshi's feet. Valmeeki then revealed to Lav and Kush that the man they were about to fight was their father, Lord Ram. The boys immediately recognized him, having learned to recite the Ramayan from their guru. Ram lovingly embraced his sons.

The guru recounted to Ram everything that had transpired since Lakshman had abandoned Seeta in the woods. He then instructed Lav and Kush to touch their father's feet and ask for his forgiveness. Ram's eyes welled up with tears as he blessed his sons. Learning that Bharat, Lakshman, Shatrughna, and several Ayodhya soldiers lay unconscious, Maharshi Valmeeki sprinkled water from the Ganga on them. They immediately revived, stood up, and bowed to the Maharshi, who blessed them.