Kusha (Ramayana)

Kusha

Kusha, one of Rama and Sita's twin sons

Kusha and his twin brother Lava were the children of Rama and his wife Sita, whose story is recounted in the Hindu epic Ramayana. He was the ruler of the kingdom centered at Kasur in ancient times.[1] His brother Lava is purported to be the founder of Lahore.

The imperial line that ruled Varanasi and the Maurya Empire, which ruled the Indian subcontinent from 320-185 BCE, claimed descent from Kusha. Kusha is said to be an Ikshvaku.

Birth & Childhood

Rama fighting Lava and Kusha

According to Ramayana, pregnant Sita was banished from the kingdom of Ayodhya by Rama due to the gossip. She then took refuge in the ashram of the sage Valmiki located on the banks of the Tamsa River.[2]In some versions, Lava was born at the ashram and Kusha was created by Valmiki with a dry grass and supply soul of rishi Shambuka in Kusha's effigy and were educated and trained in military skills and given many natural power under the tutelage of Valmiki. In some versions Sita gave birth to twin sons.

Ashwamedha Yagna

Lava and Kusha engage Lakshmana in battle

When Rama performed the Ashvamedha Yagya, which the sage Valmiki, with Lava and Kusha, attended, Lava and Kusha sung the Ramayana in the presence of Rama and his vast audience. When Lava and Kusha recited about Sita's exile, Rama became grief-stricken and Valmiki produced Sita. Sita 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-Kusha catch the horse of the sacrifice and defeat Rama's brothers and army and when Rama came to fight with then Sita intervenes and unites father and sons.

Later History

Lava and Kusha became rulers after their father Rama and founded the cities of Lavapuri and Kasur respectively. Kushavati was a city in Kosala Kingdom as per epic Ramayana. The king of Kosala, Raghava Rama, installed his son Lava at Sravasti and Kusha at Kushavati. The city is now identified to be Kushinagar, a town near Gorakhpur.

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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