Kusha (Ramayana)

Kusha

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. 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.

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. 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.

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 them Sita intervenes and unites father and sons.

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