Synopsis :

In this Chapter Sita observes her young sons, Lav and Kush, showing an innate wisdom and inclination towards valor. 

Their request to learn the use of bow and arrow ,  deeply affects Sita. In  her past, even as a young maiden, Sita had shown the ability to lift Shiva’s bow. But now her hands  falter even at the mention of the word  ‘bow’. 

She  laments their father's absence, saying he could have better taught archery to them.  Innocently, the children ask, "Who is he, and where is he?" Overwhelmed, Sita can only express that he has not come.

Despite her heartbreak, a spiritual fire ignites in the boys. Sensing her pain, they resolve to invoke their father's sacred name, believing it will awaken the knowledge they seek. This moment beautifully encapsulates the essence of Bhakti—pure, transformative devotion, leading to the profound inquiry: Can invoking the divine name with pure intent truly become a path to self-realization?

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Song 1 : My pining assuaged

Sita :

Wives of sages visited the hermitage
They would bring their children with them
Lav Kush then would be happy
And played various games with them ||1||

They brought herbs,roots and flowers
When they came to my hermitage
Our love would thus multiply
My pining for Lord would assuage ||2||

Link:

Lav-kush were learning something.

They were searching their goals within .

Their face was flushed with a glow

Their personality was of ‘Raghukul’ kin

Song 2: Father Rama’s glory of name

Sita’s these two small kids,

Used to sweetly prattle away

They did not like usual toys

They brought bow and arrow to play ||1||

Touching mother’s feet gently,

Lav-Kush to her did sweetly proclaim

Why not teach us bow and arrow

When you taught us many a game ||2||

In a choked voice Sita said sorrowfully,

'This craft I do not know'

Sita's hands which picked up the 'Shiva’s bow'.

Why do they now tremble though ||3||

"To give you archery knowledge

Your father would come, I wish "

Seeing their mother's perplexity

The innocents shared her anguish||4||

Surprised kids, asked mother

"Who is our father ? Where is he ?

If we are able to stay at his feet

We'll learn the art of archery" ||5||

Grieved Sita said to her sons,

Your father you may never meet

Annoyed with me , He's forgotten us,

Even his sons he did not come to greet ||6||

Sita’s eye welled up with feelings
Words became a drop of tear,
Children also pined for father ,
And cried with their mother ||7||

Innocent sons of Lord Rama

Lav-Kush are kids perceptive

As they saw their mother in tears

Both gave her courage effusive ||8||

Even if father doesn’t come to meet

Just tell His auspicious name

With the Mantra of that itself

Knowledge of archery we shall gain ||9||

Sita liked these prattling words

As Lav-Kush hugged their loving mother

Her coy eyes wanted to speak

But Lord's name she could not utter ||10||

End of Chapter 8

Om Shanti ! Om Shanti ! Om Shanti !