Lava (Ramayana)
Son of Rama and Sita
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Lava (Sanskrit: लव, IAST: Lava) is the younger of the twin sons of Rama and Sita in the Hindu epic Ramayana.[1] His elder twin brother is Kusha.
| Lava | |
|---|---|
| King of Uttara Kosala | |
| |
| Predecessor | Rama |
| Successor | Atithi |
| Spouse | Sumati (according to Ananda Ramayana) |
| Dynasty | Raghuvamsha-Suryavamsha |
| Father | Rama |
| Mother | Sita |
According to tradition, the Ramayana was first recited to Lava and Kusha by its composer, Valmiki, and the brothers popularised the epic by traveling and reciting it.[2] Following the death of Rama, Lava succeeded him to rule the northern region of Kosala, establishing his capital at Shravasti.[3]
Legend
The first chapter of Ramayana, the Bala Kanda, mention Valmiki narrating the Ramayana to his disciples, Lava and Kusha.
Birth
In the Uttara Kanda, Rama instructs his brother Lakshmana to leave behind a pregnant Sita at the hermitage of the sage Valmiki, due to public condemnation of his keeping her as his queen despite her captivity by Ravana at Lanka. Sita gave birth to twin sons, Kusha and Lava, at the ashram, where they were educated and trained in military skills under the tutelage of the sage.[4]
Ashvamedha Yajna
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Sage Valmiki, along with Lava and Kusha and a disguised Sita, attend an ashvamedha yajna held by Rama.
Valmiki commands Lava and Kusha to chant the Ramayana in the presence of Rama and a vast audience in the sacrificial pavilion. Their resemblance to Rama is noted by the ascetics. The twins refuse a reward of gold pieces for their recitation, declaring grain and fruits to suffice for them in the forest. Recognising his sons, Rama orders them and Sita to appear before him in the assembly, seeking reconciliation. During this occasion, he formally acknowledges the twins to be his sons. He anoints them his heirs before his death.[5]
In some versions of the epic and the Padma Purana,[6] Lava and Kusha capture the horse of the sacrifice and defeat Rama's brothers and their army. Sita intervenes and unites the father and sons.[7]
Marriage and reign
On attaining adulthood Lava was made the king of Uttar Koshala kingdom, and he ruled from Shravasti. Lava and his twin brother Kusha got married to the Trigarta King Bhurikirti's twin daughters princess Sumati and princess Champika respectively. Later Lava also took the Naga princess Kanjanana as his second wife.[8]
Ananda Ramayana
In the Ananda Ramayana, Lava is described to have a wife named Sumati,[9] and together the couple ruled the city of Lavapuri and the kingdom of Shravasti.
