Kusha is the elder of the twin sons of Rama and Sita. Raised with Lava in Valmiki's hermitage, he sings the Ramayana at Rama's horse sacrifice and later becomes king of southern Kosala at Kushavati.
Who was Kusha?
Kusha is named for the sacred kusha grass that Valmiki uses to protect the newborn twins. He and Lava are the first singers of the Ramayana, chosen by Valmiki for their sweet voices and perfect memory.
After Sita returns to the Earth and Rama decides to leave the world, he crowns Kusha king of the southern Kosala lands, with the new capital of Kushavati in the Vindhya region. Later tradition makes Kusha the ancestor of the Kachhwaha and other royal lines.
In the Valmiki Ramayana
Kusha appears in 9 sargas across 2 Kandas.
1.4Lava and Kusha Sing the RamayanaBala Kanda · Sarga 4 · लव और कुश द्वारा रामायण गायन7.71The Song in the HermitageUttara Kanda · Sarga 71 · आश्रम में गीत7.93Valmiki Arrives with the TwinsUttara Kanda · Sarga 93 · वाल्मीकि का शिष्यों सहित आगमन7.95Rama Sends for SitaUttara Kanda · Sarga 95 · सीता को बुलवाना7.98Rama's GriefUttara Kanda · Sarga 98 · राम का शोक7.107Rama Prepares to LeaveUttara Kanda · Sarga 107 · राम के प्रस्थान की तैयारी
Kusha's family
Often seen with Kusha
More from Ikshvaku royal family
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Open the explorerConnected to Kusha
Appears inRamayanaरामायण
Stories & mythsLava and Kusha: Sita’s Sons and Her Return to the Earthलव-कुश: सीता के पुत्र और पृथ्वी में लीन होनाPlaces & templesNaimisharanyaनैमिषारण्य
Stories & mythsLuv-Kush and the Ashwamedha Horseलव-कुश और अश्वमेध का घोड़ाPlaces & templesValmiki Ashramवाल्मीकि आश्रम
Places & templesAyodhyaअयोध्या
Stories & mythsHow Long Did Lord Rama Live? His Reign, Age and Departureश्री राम कितने वर्ष जीए?SiblingsLavaलव
ParentsRamaराम
ParentsSitaसीता