Lava is one of the twin sons of Rama and Sita, born in Valmiki's hermitage. With his brother Kusha he learns the Ramayana from Valmiki and sings it before Rama, who then recognises his sons.
Who was Lava?
Lava and Kusha are born on the same night that Shatrughna rests at Valmiki's hermitage on his way to fight Lavana. Valmiki names the twins after the kusha grass and its tip, lava, used in the rites to protect them.
The boys grow up among the ascetics and learn the whole epic by heart. At Rama's horse sacrifice in the Naimisha forest they sing it before the assembly, and Rama realises who they are. Before Rama's departure from the world he crowns Lava king of the northern Kosala lands with his capital at Shravasti.
In the Valmiki Ramayana
Lava 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
Lava's family
Often seen with Lava
More from Ikshvaku royal family
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Open the explorerConnected to Lava
Appears inRamayanaरामायण
Stories & mythsLava and Kusha: Sita’s Sons and Her Return to the Earthलव-कुश: सीता के पुत्र और पृथ्वी में लीन होना
SiblingsKushaकुश
Places & templesNaimisharanyaनैमिषारण्य
Stories & mythsLuv-Kush and the Ashwamedha Horseलव-कुश और अश्वमेध का घोड़ा
Places & templesValmiki Ashramवाल्मीकि आश्रम
Places & templesAyodhyaअयोध्या
Stories & mythsHow Long Did Lord Rama Live? His Reign, Age and Departureश्री राम कितने वर्ष जीए?
ParentsRamaराम
ParentsSitaसीता