Lava and Kusha  Battle Shatrughna's Army

A little later, Lava and Kusha noticed that some soldiers had come searching for the horse. The soldiers got angry when they saw the horse tied to a tree and prepared for battle. They noticed two young boys, dressed like sages, playing with the horse. This sight reassured the soldiers, who thought the boys had caught the horse by mistake. They requested the boys to free the horse, but Lava and Kusha refused and instead challenged the soldiers to a battle.

Lava and Kusha shot arrows, creating a deafening noise. Several soldiers were injured. The young boys overpowered the soldiers, and those who survived ran to Shatrughna to report. They said, "Sire, those two boys are extraordinary. They have destroyed our army. With great difficulty, some soldiers managed to save their lives."

Shatrughna was astonished to learn how bold these young boys were and became eager to meet them. He told the soldiers to stay calm and decided to confront Lava and Kusha himself. The boys were extraordinarily gifted, handsome, and wise beyond their years. They posed several questions to Shatrughna: "O king, who are you? Which country do you rule? Why are you wandering in this desolate forest? What are you searching for? Have you lost something? Why have you left this horse here? Have you come here hoping to defeat us?"

Shatrughna could not tolerate so many questions from the boys. Angered, he picked up his bow and arrow. With lightning speed, Lava and Kusha also picked up their bows and arrows and started attacking Shatrughna. Their arrows broke Shatrughna's chariot. Shatrughna ordered his soldiers to capture the boys and free the horse. He told the soldiers that if they could not apprehend the boys, he would do it himself.

The soldiers started battling Lava and Kusha but were soon overpowered. With their divine weapons, Lava and Kusha disarmed the soldiers, who became frightened and fled. They did not have the strength to confront Lav and Kush. Shatrughna felt humiliated, which enraged him further. The two boys didn't just break Shatrughna's chariot; they also defeated his army. Shatrughna's fury caused him to forget that his adversaries were just two young boys.