Grief of Lava and Kusha

Throwing their veenas. the two brothers fell on the ground. How will we live without you? We know no one else other than you. You fed us when we were hungry. You brought us up and when it is time for us to look after you, you left us.

Rama asked the boys to be sent to Kaushalya. The Queens of Dahsratha consoled the boys. Lakshama, Bharata and Shatrughna went to the boys and tried to console them.

The boys were crying away. Seeing no other option, they called Rama. Rama came and all there were in tears.

Rama then decided to tear open the earth and get Sita back. Brahma seeing this came to Rama and said You are the who takes care of all, why do you destroy the creation.

The sages said to Rama, Do not grieve. Listen to the complete Ramayana again tomorrow. You will feel good.

Early morning, Rama sat in the court and his sons They had stopped at Sita's banishment. They sang the complete song about how Rama would banish Lakshamana.

The sages who had come left pleased with the song. 

Rama falls

Rama was grieving for his brothers when Lava and Kusha decided to return and fight. They shot arrows and the darkness vanished.
It was a fierce battle. Sometimes Rama had to take a step backwards and sometimes the brothers.
Struck by an arrow of the brother, Rama fell on the ground. Rama got up.
Lava shot an arrow and like a noose, the weapon wrapped itself around Rama's neck. Kusha shot an arrow which struck Rama. Rama fell on the ground.

Rama was in pain. The two brothers went to Rama. They started taking Rama's jewels and the crown. Hanumana and Jambuvana, being immortal were senseless, not dying as they were immortal. Taking their prize, the brothers rushed home. They decided to take Hanumana and Jambuvana as their prisoners.

Sita was wondering what had happened to her sons when they appeared. Happily they started telling Sita about their battles and how they had defeated Shatrughna, Lakshmana, Bharata and Rama. They also said they had got two prisoners. As they were huge in size, the brothers had not been able to get them inside the hut so had kept them outside. They then started showing the jewels they had got.

Sita recognized the jewels. She started lamenting. What have you done? You have killed your own father. I am want to go see Rama before the vultures swoon down on him.

The two brothers started crying. Coming outside, Sita saw Hanumana and Jambuvana, tied up. Sita said You have done something which you should never have. Hanumana is your elder brother, He jumped and crossed the ocean for me. You have killed your father. I will consume poison and kill myself. I do not want to live this life. Untie Hanumana and Jambuvana immediately.

To Hanumana, Sita said Please Do not tell anyone about this. They did not know who you were which is why they fought you.

Sita then ran to see Rama, with the two brothers behind her. Seeing Rama, she fell down at his feet and said Please forgive your sons who fought you unknowingly.

The two brothers said Mother, You never told us who our father was. How were we to know that we sons of Rama? We have killed our father and will not live this life. We will kill ourselves by jumping into the fire.

Sita said I will enter the fire first and you can do what you want to, after that.

Three fire pyres were built and burnt.

Valmiki had been meditating and saw blood in front of this eyes. He knew he was needed in his ashrama. He immediately rushed and came to the ashrama.

There were jackals and vultures everywhere. He asked Sita what had happened.

Sita said Lava and Kusha fought and killed their father and uncles. You taught them how to use weapons and see what has happened.

Valmiki said Do not worry. Rama and his brothers will come alive. The others who have fallen will also come alive. I will tell you all. Come inside the ashrama with your sons.

He asked Lava and Kusha to sprinkle holy water on all who had fallen. This was an elixir and as soon as the water touched them, the dead people sat up. Sita was relieved to see Rama and his brothers get up. Valmiki asked Sita to go inside with her sons.

Rama saw Valmiki and asked about the two boys, Valmiki asked Rama to go and complete the sacrifice. When it was time, he would come to Rama. 

Rama comes to fight

Rama with his army reached the ashrama. Rama saw his brothers lying on the ground.
Lava and Kushan heard the noise of the army approaching. They realized Rama was coming and were eager to fight and defeat Rama.
Sita heard the noise and wondered what this was. Sita said I ask you to be careful. I have you two only in my life. If something happens to you, I will not be alive. Do not pick up battles when you do not have to.
The brothers told Sita to go inside and told her not to worry. They then went and changed their dress and picked by their bows and arrows.
The people were amazed to see three Ramas facing each other.
The wise ones said Sita was five months pregnant and Lakshaman had left her in this forest.
Rama thought the same and wondered if they were his sons.

Rama went to the boys and said I am the son of Dashratha. I am amazed to see you two. You look like me, walk like me and have similar weapons like me. Tell me who are you? Are you my sons?

The brothers were quiet. They did not know who their father was. They decided they will go and ask about their father later.

They said Where have you heard that sons fight their father? Are you scared and trying to please us?
Rama said I have big warriors with me and a huge army. Will you alone be able to fight me? When you fall in battle, people will say I killed two boys. Choose whom you want to fight.

Lava said to Kusha - Let us first destroy the army of Rama.
Lava and Kusha started their battle. The horses and elephants were first killed. The rakshasas and vanaras then attacked.
Lava said to Kusha See these vanaras, bears and rakshasas coming to fight us.
They started shooting arrows.

Soon most of the vanaras and rakshasas had fallen.
Lifting a mountain, Sugriva attacked. The brothers cut off the mountain with an arrow, and with another arrow, Sugriva fell. Angada jumped at the brothers but an arrow cut his hourney and he too fell.
Hanumana then attacked with a mountain but an arrow cut off the mountain. Another arrow hit Hanumana and he fell on the ground senseless.
Seeing Hanumana fall, the vanaras started fleeing.

Rama was amazed. he had come with a huge army and now only a handful of people were left.

Lava and Kusha said You army has left you. Most are dead and the remaining have fled.

Rama said I am there and will kill you two. I still fell you are my sons and that is why you are able to display such skills.

The brothers said Do not address us as your sons and thus make us weak. We will fight you.

Rama started shooting arrows. The sky became dark. Not sure what to do, the brothers fled from there. 

Bharata falls

Lava waited and watched Kusha fight Bharata. He thought Kusha is fighting well but he has become proud, having defeated Shatrughna. I will go to him, only when he needs help.

Kusha and Bharata were having a fierce battle. Kusha finished off the army of Bharata. Only seven soldiers were left. They asked Bharata to surrender and flee.
Bharata said A Kshatriya does not flee. Pointing to Kusha, he said See my soldiers want to run.
Kusha said let them go and inform Rama. Maybe Rama will come and fight.
Bharata said I am seeing Rama in you. If I loose today I will not be offended. You have the same skill and strength as Rama.
Kusha said You talk about Rama. What will he do when you fall in battle. If Rama defeats us that will be a blotch in our names. If I leave you, Lava will laugh at me.
Bharata said You talk of Lava. he will not be able to escape from Lakshmana.
Hearing this Lava came and said Lakshmana has fallen long back.

A battle started between Kusha and Bharata. Kusha cut off all arrows fired by Bharata and then finally he invoked an arrow. The arrow pierced Bharata. Bharata fell.

Lava went and embraced Kusha. They went to the nearby river and washed off the blood from their bodies. Changing their clothes, they went to their mother.

Sita said I was worried about you. What happened?
The brothers said The kings that had come hunting are gone now.

The soldiers who had escaped went to Rama and told him about the fall of Lakshmana and Bharata.

Rama fainted. Coming to his senses, he had tears in his eyes.

Sugriva said There is no point in grieving. We should go and fight.

Rama said That is well said. What is the point in me being here when my brothers lie in battlefield.

Getting a huge army ready, Rama started for battle.

Lakshmana falls

The people said to Rama Two boys Lava and Kusha had captured the horse. When Shatrughna had tried to get the horse back, a battle had happened and Shatrughna had fallen.
Rama was shocked. How could this happen.
Bharata and Lakshmana said a warrior went to battle to fight and was not sure if he would return back alive or not.
Lakshmana said I knew something like this would happen when Sita was asked to leave, without any fault of hers. If you permit now, we two will go and get the two boys for you.

Rama agreed. Bharata and Lakshmana left with their armies. They came Valmiki's ashrama was. They saw the ground and realized it would be fierce battle. Seeing Shatrughna lying, they could not control their grief. They said Valiant One, who killed Lavana on the banks of Yamuna, lies on the ground.
The lieutenants came and said this was not the time for sorrow. They got and got ready.

Sita heard the noise of the army. She asked Lava and Kusha what was the noise about.
The boys said Mother Do not worry. It must be a king who has coming hunting. We will go and see what they want.

Pacifying Sita, the boys went to see who had come. Seeing the two boys, the people said it seemed that twin Rama was standing there. If only Rama himself was there, it would have seemed like tree Ramas there.

Lakshmana and Bharata were amazed. They wanted to know who these boys were.

The boys said Our family tree should be of no interest to anyone. There are twelve hundred boys who learn from Valmiki and we are two of those. The sage has gone somewhere leaving us to guard this place. See Shatrughna, son of Dashratha, lying there. He came to fight us and met his end with his army. Who are you?

Lakshmana said We are four borthers and of that the youngest is Shatrughna. Do you think you will escape after killing Shatrughna?

A battle started. While Kusha and Bharata fought, Lava fought with Lakshmana. Bharata was riding on an elephant while Lakshmana was on a chariot. Lakshmana was amazed to see the skills of archery of the brothers and wanted to know who had taught them this. He said I was able to kill Indrajit, the valiant son of Ravana. I did not fear that but today I feel scared of my life. I will not think more and will fight away.
Seeing Lava's battle, Lakshmana's army started fleeing.
Lakshaman tried all the weapons that he knew and all were combated by Lava. Soon Lakshmana's quiver was empty. Lakshaman surrendered. Lava said I will not let you escape back. You will meet your end today. if you can dodge my arrow, I will not kill you.
Lava then invoked a weapon of Shiva. Lakshama fell, struck by that arrow.

With Lakshmana falling, Lava went to assist Kusha.

Shatrughna falls

It was time for the horse to be brought back. Shatrughna was asked to do the needful. Shatrughna was told that the horse had been taken captive. He saw the two boys playing with the horse and asked who they were and why they had captured the horse.
Lava and Kusha said We know you are strong and we also want you to take the horse away. Do the needful but you will have to fight for that.
Shatrughna tried but was unable to defeat the boys. He then asked his army to attack.
Kusha said to Lava, You wait while I deal with the army.
Kusha released an arow. Except Shatrughna all fell. River of blood began flowing.
Kusha said O Shatrughna, where is your army now. I am the younger of the two brothers. Come fight me now.
Lava said to Kusha - You killed the army now let me deal with Shatrughna.
Kusha asked Lava to move back. Shatrughna fired arrows which were easily combated by Kusha.
Shatrughna's quiver was empty. He said I am amazed at your skill. Let this end now. Give me the horse and go home.
Kusha smiled and released an arrow. The arrow struck Shatrughna and he fell.
The brothers went to their mother and said Kings had come to the ashrama. We played with them and are back.

Sita unaware bathed her sons and fed them.

Seven people were alive from the battle. They rushed to Ayodhya to inform about the fall of Shatrughna. 

Killing of Lavanasura

One day Lakshmana came to Rama and said the sage Bhargava wanted to meet him. Rama asked for the sage to be brought in immediately and Lakshmana brought the sage and his disciples inside.
Rama bowed down and touched the feet of the sage.
The sage said he had come to express his grief. Rama wanted to know what was the trouble.

The sage said You have killed a might Ravana but there is one who is equal to Ravana. Earlier there was a daitya called Madhu who was a great devotee of Shiva. Shiva had given Madhu a weapon. If Madhu had the weapon in his hand, no one could defeat him. Madhu's son, born of Ravana's sister, Kumbhanashi, inherited the weapon. The son, Lavanasura, is tormenting everyone. Help us by killing him. If Lavanasura has the weapon in his hand, no one will be able to defeat him. Let me tell you more. The king Mandhata, king of Ayodhya, in the olden days wanted to take over the heaven, Seeing him come, Indra fled. The Gods asked Mandhata to take half the ocean and rule over it, to which Mandhata refused saying he wanted the whole heaven. The Gods decided to teach him a lesson. They said Mandhata needed to first conquer earth before approaching heaven. There was a rakshasa called Lavana. If Lavana was defeated then Mandhata could come and talk about conquering heaven.
Mandhata first sent a messenger to Lavanasura but the messenger was driven away. Seeing this, Mandhata attacked Mathura, the kingdom of Lavanasura. Lavanasura attacked Mandhata with the weapon of Shiva and Mandhata was killed.
This is the Lavanasura who had killed an ancestor of yours. Please kill him and help us.

The three brothers stood near Rama. Shatrughna said to Rama - You and Lakshmana have fought many battles. Please permit me to go and kill Lavana. Rama agreed. He said Killing Lavana, claim the kingdom of Mathura as yours and become the king of Mathura.

Shatrughna started on his journey. On the way, he stopped at the ashrama of the sage Valmiki and bowed down to the sage. At that time, Sita gave birth to two twin sons. He asked his disciples to keep it a secret and Shatrughna should not get to know about this. After Shtrughna left, the sage asked the sons to kept on salt and kusha grass. Seeing the boys, the sage named them Lava and Kusha. The boys began growing up in the ashrama.

Going back to Shatrughna, he reached the ashrama of the sage Bhargava and wanted to know how to kill Lavana. The sage said Lavana goes hunting in the morning and leaves the weapon of Shiva at home, That is the time to kill him.

Shatrughna and his army waited for Lavana. They saw the rakshasa return with his kill. Shatrughna attacked Lavana. Lavana tried to go and bring his weapon but Shatrughna taunted him saying Lavana wanted to run away. Hearing this, Lavana decided to fight. Using a arrow of Vishnu, Shatrughna killed Lavana. As soon as Lavana died, the weapon of Shiva vanished.

Shatrughna then setup the kingdom of Mathura.

After that he started on his way back. He again stopped at the ashrama of Valmiki. There he heard two boys singing the song of Ramayana. Shatrughna wanted to know who these boys were. Valmiki said they were his disciples and he was teaching them the song.

Shatrughna then left for Ayodhya. He went and told Rama about the killing of Lavana. Rama was very happy to hear that.