The Birth of Lava and Kusha

Seven months later, Sita gave birth to handsome twin boys. In the middle of the night, the women and children of Valmiki's ashram conveyed the good news to the Maharshi. They requested the Maharshi to come and protect the children from the ill effects of the planets and other evil powers. The Maharshi was extremely happy and chanted mantras for the twins' protection.

He told the old lady caring for Sita, "Clean the baby born first with Kusha grass; his name will be Kusha. The baby born second must be cleaned with Lava grass; his name will be Lava."

Maharshi Valmiki, with his clairvoyant vision, saw the future clearly. The epic he had been diligently composing was nearing completion. He prepared to write the next chapter of the Ramayana: the chapter on Lava and Kusha.

Lava and Kusha were talented young boys who had inherited their parents' divine qualities. Their horoscope predicted that they would be victorious in war. Under Valmiki's training, Lava and Kusha became as well-versed in the arts as their father, Rama. He also taught them to respect their elders and lead lives of sacrifice. Both boys revered their mother, Sita, and their guru, Valmiki. They also learned archery from the Maharshi and soon became great archers. Maharshi Valmiki took a keen interest in educating them because he knew they would one day become the rulers of Ayodhya and have to participate in war and governance.

In class, they studied and recited the Ramayana. Every day, Maharshi Valmiki made Lava and Kusha memorize a few slokas from the epic. When they went to the city and sang the Ramayana, it seemed like the verses emanated straight from their hearts. Rama once heard them singing and became emotional, not knowing they were his children. The listeners were mesmerized not only by the boys' singing but also by their attractive forms. They resembled their father, Rama, which caused tears of joy to flow from the audience's eyes.