Kusha (Ramayana)

Kusa

Kusa, one of the twin son's of Rama and Sita.
Devanagari कुश
Texts Ramayana
Personal Information
Born Valmiki's ashram, Brahmavart, Kingdom of Kosala
Parents
Siblings Kusha
Dynasty Raghuvanshi Ikshvaku Suryavanshi

Kusha or Kusa (Sanskrit: कुश) and his twin brother Lava were the children of Lord Rama and Sita. Their story is recounted in the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. He was the ruler of the kingdom centered at Kasur in ancient times.[1] His brother Lava founded Lavapuri (current day city of Lahore).

The imperial line that ruled Kingdom of Benares-Kashi and the Maurya Empire, which ruled South Asia from 320-185 BCE, claimed descent from Kusha. Kusha is said to be an Raghuvanshi Ikshvaku Suryavanshi.

Birth & Childhood

The Sage Valmiki, teaching Ramayana to Kusa and Lava

According to the Ramayana, A pregnant Sita was banished from the kingdom of Ayodhya by Rama due to gossip of the kingdom folk. She then took refuge in the ashram of the sage Valmiki located on the banks of the Tamsa River.[2] Sita gave birth to twin sons, Lava and Kusha, at the ashram and were educated and trained in military skills under the tutelage of Sage Valmiki. They also learned the story of Rama.

In some versions, Lava was born at the ashram and Kusha was created by Valmiki with a dry grass and soul of Rishi Shambuka in Kusha's effigy.

Ashwamedha Yagna

Lava and Kusha chanted the Ramayana before Rama.

During an Ashvamedha Yagya held by Rama, Sage Valmiki along with Lava and Kusha, attended with Sita in disguise.

Lava and Kusha chanted the Ramayana in the presence of Rama and a vast audience. When Lava and Kusha recited about Sita's exile, Rama became grief-stricken and Valmiki produced Sita. Sita, struck with embarrassment and grief, called upon the earth, her mother, to receive her and as the ground opened, she vanished into it. Rama then learnt that Lava and Kusha were his children.

In some versions, Lava and Kusha capture the horse of the sacrifice and defeat Rama's brothers and their army and when Rama came to fight with them. Sita intervened and unites father and sons.

Later History

Lava and Kusha became rulers after their father Rama and founded the cities of Lavapuri (current day "Lahore") and Kasur respectively.

Kushavati was a city in Kosala Kingdom as related in the epic Ramayana. The king of Kosala, Rama, installed his son Lava at Sravasti and Kusha at Kushavati.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Nadiem, Ihsan N. "Kasur ancient name". Punjab, Pg.111. Google Books.
  2. ↑ Vishvanath Limaye (1984). Historic Rama of Valmiki. Gyan Ganga Prakashan.
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