Chapter 7: Education of Lav and Kush

Synopsis :

The birth of Lav and Kush marks more than the arrival of two radiant souls—it transforms Sita to a mother, a guiding force of wisdom. The twin’s early years reveal an insatiable curiosity about  the divine force animating life.

In a pivotal moment, the twins inquire about the creation of the universe, prompting Sita’s profound revelation: before creation, there was pure energy—Om, the primordial essence of Brahma. She explains that the Lord’s divine volition shaped the cosmos. He  planted His sacred energy within Earth, culminating in humanity’s evolution. True realization, she imparts, lies in recognizing Atman’s oneness with Paramatman.

Seeing their readiness, Sita entrusts Lav and Kush to Rishi Valmiki, praying they learn not just knowledge and warfare but the unwavering path of Dharma. Under Valmiki’s rigorous guidance, they absorb philosophy, archery, and moral discipline, while Sita remains their silent nurturer.

Throughout their education, Sita deepens their understanding of Dharma: a force that sustains beings and fosters peace. As the chapter nears its end, she poses a profound question—"What is the union of Atma with Paramatman?" Their response reflects spiritual maturity.

This chapter establishes a sacred rhythm within Sita Shakti Kavya—Lav-Kush’s questions, Sita’s revelations, and their unfolding realizations. It foreshadows their destiny as protectors of Dharma, while inviting the reader into this eternal journey of wisdom. 

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Lav- Kush were children gifted
They learnt from their 'Guru' quickly
Their mother a fountainhead of knowledge
Gave them proper ‘Sanskar’ daily ||1||

Children asked different questions
Sita answered them with love strong
‘Dharma’, ‘Karma’ and ‘Brahma Gnyan’ *
Mother explained through sweet song.||2||

* Brahma Gnyan means the ultimate truth

Song 1: The Daily Rituals of Lav and Kush

Sita:

At dawn's first light,
I Janaki in  delight

Give USHAH-PAN 1
To my twins bright ||Refrain||

They sing   hymns

Learn ‘Values’ of worth,

Devotion and truth
Like rain soaked earth.||1||

Yoga  mindful,
Meditation peaceful,

These daily rituals , 

They follow useful ||2||

Notes: 1. USHAH-PAN "उष:पान" in Sanskrit. This concept  in Ayurveda and traditional Indian health practices, involves drinking water on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. It may  be described as "morning water therapy" 

Song 2: Essence of Life

Lav and Kush:

Oh! Mother Sita!

How did the Creator create this Universe?

And pray! How did He evolve nature? 

Sita:

The first form of Lord ‘Brahma’ 1

Was pure Energy called “Om” 2

This Energy transformed by its own volition,

Into the most miraculous forms. 

The millions of Stars, Moons and Planets

Is a proof of this miracle?

This cosmos extends into space infinite

And also time eternal. 

The Lord chose to plant

As seed His own energy

And blessed “Mother Earth”

At a dateless age 

To nourish and enrich 

This wondrous nature.

Life, then, evolved

From stage to stage.

The glorious peak

Of evolution is Man,

As if Mother Earth has, at last,

Got her child ‘Shravan’ 3

Oh! “Atman” (Soul) take this essence of life

And recognise your roots as the

“Paramatman”(God)!

Song 3 : Seekers With Spiritual Quest At Rishi Valmiki’s Hermitage

Sita:

Some pilgrim wanderers passing  through,

Some seeking path with quest anew

All guided by the divine fate

With own  resolve yearning in view   ||1||

Each one  finds  a yogic boon,

Tasting bliss in different pace,

Past lives’ KARMA shapes  their way,
Preordained by divine grace  ||2||

Revered  SADGURU Valmiki,

Leads all to the TRUTH’s core ,

Blessing their journey of quest,
With loving words forevermore  ||3||

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Sita wished intensively
Lav-Kush should live successfully
In Valmiki's hermitage
Learn of ‘Dharma' at young age. ||1||

To fulfill this wish
Sita decided firmly on her part
She requested ‘Rishi Valmiki’
And said to him with heart ||2||

Song 4: Request to Rishi Valmiki

Sita :

Today Oh! Guru

Take Lav – Kush in your hold

Give them right knowledge

By keeping them in your fold ||1||

Teach them the ‘Vedas’

Let them learn of science

Let the holy name of ‘Rama’

Always be in their remembrance ||2||

Teach them weapon-craft

Give them strength I pray

May they protect ‘Dharma’

And always walk the righteous way ||3||

They are my sons Oh! Guru

But you are their guardian true

Keep them always at your feet

Imbue them with good values||4||

Song 5 : Oh Sadguru Mine 

Sita:

Oh my respectful Sadguru,

Tender are my twin
Sons so fine ||Refrain||

With prayerful  arms,

At your feet I fall,

Bless them both,
It’s my heart's yearning  call ||1||

May they receive 

Education and initiation,

Show them the true,
Path to God's realization ||2||

May they transcend,

Oh Sadguru,

The THREE GUNAS ,

Do so guide them through ||3||

Note: THREE GUNAS here refers to The three Gunas,Sattvic (सात्त्विक), Rajasic (राजसिक) and Tamasic (तामसिक) as described in ancient Indian philosophy, 

They represent the fundamental qualities or energies that govern human behavior and the natural world. 

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After requesting Rishi Valmiki
Sita advised Lav-Kush three years old
Spoke of the goal of life
What is spreading ‘Dharma’ she told

Song 6 : Duty oriented birth of Lav – Kush

Sita :

That which supports all living beings
Gives shape to peace and prosperity
That which the saints have extolled
And is the essence of man's duty ||1||

This 'Dharma' is what you need spread
And for this you are born on earth
May you perform a tireless mission
With 'Guru's' blessings find your worth. ||2||

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Sita imparts  spiritual principles  

When twins  about nature enquire ,

Unveils  bond of  different  parts 

Flora, fauna, rivers, all a life’s choir. 

Song 7 : Song of the River

Sita:

From Himalaya's gentle heart,

Flow  rivers in leaps and bound,

With playful roar and gentle hum,
Chanting "Om" 1  the sacred sound||1||
ॐ ,  Om, Om, 

A river  nurtures forests  dale,

Trees and vines in kinship stand,
Winds like sisters sing along,

A mother she’s to life in lands ||2||

Note: 1. OM  ॐ in Sanskrit , sometimes called OMKAR is the primordial sound of creation. It is like a mantra and is an invocation of the supreme Absolute Cosmic Consciousness. 

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When Lav – Kush go to preceptor
Sita talks with full candour
Imbibe knowledge with concentration
Internalise through practice thorough.||1||

Mother with love for children
Called them many a sweet names dear
Baba, Munna, Gudda, Sai
Bachawa, Beta, Lav – Kush * brother ||2||

* Baba, Munna, Gudda, Sai, Bachawa, Beta
All these are pet names for children

Song 8 : Learning

Sita:

When your teacher speaks with love,
Imbibe thoughtfully with a goal
Oh! Devotee but remember
Lord resides in your soul. ||1||

If you see with open eyes
You can learn from fish and foal
Oh! Devotee but remember
Lord resides in your soul.||2||

Give your love to everyone
Happiness will fill your bowl
Oh! Devotee but remember
Lord resides in your soul. ||3||

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In  serene Valmiki ashram,

At dawn  mountain's resonate

Disciples chant sacred mantras,
JAPA1 of OMKAR and meditate.

Note: 1.JAPA literally means repeating or muttering. With practice, JAPA, of a mantra like OM, becomes well rooted in heart, and the sound of the mantra flows continuously in inner consciousness.

Song 9 : Meditation on Om 

Sita:

With every dawn's first light,

 Pure mind in calm  surround

 Meditate on sacred mantra, 

Of OMKAR in peace profound.

Know Thy body, temple grand,

 Divinity  as  manifest

 Millions of wondrous cells,

Nature’s glory at its best  ||2||

Feel the pulse of OM within

Empowering the  soul pristine

Transcend  body and the mind ,
Merge with consciousness divine ||3||

Om, Om, Om.

Song 10 : Through the Mists of Memory 

Sita:

My Beloved Lord Rama
Your memory’s  flooding dear
When clouds in the forest,
Densely they gather ||Refrain||

Though forest paths are veiled  

By mist all the way,

Like a wanderer gone astray

I search for Thee all day. ||1||

There, through fog dense ,

Your beckoning hand waves,

Amok I run but only find
Wet leaves dance in grace ||2||

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Hearing the songs of their wise mother
Of scientific knowledge and good value
Blessed Lav – Kush memorised all
Children were filled with great virtue ||1||

Mother Sita is a wonderful teacher
Would often test what, she did impart
“What is union of Atma with Parmatma?”
One day she asked her Lav – Kush smart ||2||

Song 11 : Union of Atma with Parmatma

Lav-Kush (Summarise What they have learnt) :

When mind is beyond living and non-living
And becomes free from bonds of time
When it is filled with righteous duty and God's love
That is “Union of Atma with Parmatma” sublime

1. Brahma : The supreme creator
2. OM : primordial sound and energy
3. Shravan: He was the most dutiful son of his
parents.His story of love for his mother and father
appears in the Indian epic Ramayana.

Song 12 : My Lav-Kush

My Lav-Kush

Precious twins are they

They sweetly quarrel
With me.                        ||1||

They hide at times

And then appear

Such is this unique

Love of theirs.              ||2||

Their speech is

Enthralling

Then why is their fate
So painful?                ||3||

Their eyes are eager

Searching
For their (father’s) love.  ||4||

End of Sarg 7

Om Shanti! Om Shanti! Om Shanti!