Luv & Kush Ramayana

Luv & Kush singing Ramayana

Luv and Kush were the sons of Rama and Sita, who were born in the hermitage of Sage Valmiki, where Sita spent her days after exile from the kingdom.

After the war with Ravana, Rama came back to Ayodhya with Sita. Since Sita was captivated in Ashokavan by Ravana, Rama wanted her to prove her purity and chastity for which she had to go through the test of fire (this was a ritual at that time). She did it and proved to be pure. But her ordeal did not end here. Soon, the citizens started questioning about Sita's integrity and chastity since she had spent a long time in the Ashokavan. Even though Rama fully believed Sita and knew she was truthful, his obligation to the kingdom (since being a king) compelled him to listen to the requests of his citizens. Thus, Sita was exiled again. Rama (with heavy heart) then instructed Lakshmana to accompany Sita and leave her in the forest. To honor her husband's dignity, Sita left for the forest once again.

During that time, Sita was pregnant and she found herself alone in the forest. Fortunately, sage Valmiki saw her. He was very kind to her and gave shelter in his own hermitage. There, she gave birth to two twins, who were known to be as Luv and Kush. These two kids were given education on Vedas and Shastras (including all military skills) by the sage Valmiki.

Once Shri Rama began an Ashwamedh Yajna. It was a ritual tradition that, for the successful completion of the yajna, Shri Rama had to send a fine horse all over the land. Whoever tied the horse would have to fight with the army accompanying it. If he won, then he could have the horse owner’s kingdom. Meanwhile, the horse trotted into Valmiki Rishi's ashram. Luv saw it, and managed to tie it to the nearby tree. Then the armies of Shri Rama, led by Shatrughna, reached the Ashram. They tried to confront Luv (seeing him to be a kid) by asking him to release the horse and they would do no harm. But Luv courageously answered that he had tied it knowing what is required to be done, and also said that he is ready to fight. He then strung an arrow on his bow. The soldiers in the army, too, were ready with their bows. Before anyone in the army could shoot off a single arrow, Luv shot an arrow and made all fall unconsciously (and left them in a deep sleep). Shatrughna, being impressed by the boy's skill, told him that he was very pleased and forgave Luv's attack on his soldiers, and asked him to release the horse. Just then Kush arrived (before he had gone to the forest to collect firewood). Sitting next to Luv (his brother), Kush asked, "Who are you to bestow forgiveness on us?”. Now, not being able to bear Kush's sarcastic remark, Shatrughna told the twins to prepare to fight. Both twins readied their bows and stood firmly in the centre of the field.

Shatrughna then ordered Sugriv and Hanuman to defeat the kids. But the twins again defeated them and dragged them (both Sugriva and Hanuman) to the ashram, to show their bravery to their mother (Sita).

When Sita looked at them, she recognized Hanuman, and horrifyingly asked what they had done. Luv mentioned everything that had happened. Sita looked at the horse and instantly realized that the horse belongs to none other than Shri Rama. So she told them that the horse belongs to their father, and whom they have tied is Hanuman, Rama's devotee. At this, Luv pleaded her telling that they had only fulfilled their Kshatriya dharma; they were challenged so they gave a fight. But if the army didn't wish to fight, then they can have their horse back.

Just then sage Valmiki returned. Sita told all the events. Valmiki then took Luv and Kush to the stallion (horse) and by their hands returned it to the army. The army happily returned back. Valmiki taught the twins the Ramayana by heart. He then sent them to Ayodhya.

In this sacred city (Ayodhya), Luv and Kush strolled through the streets delightfully singing the Ramayana. Such an extraordinary and amazing phenomenon was noted by the citizens. They reported this to Shri Rama. Rama, then summoned the kids to his palace and requested them to sing the whole Ramayana.

Mother Sita with her kids (Luv & Kush)

Play the music, and sing the song along with it. NOTE: The song contains two portions, narration and actual singing. Narration part is given blackish background, and actual singing by Luv and Kush is given bluish background.

॥ लव-कुश रामायण ॥

ॐ श्री गणेशाय रिद्धि सिद्धि सहिताय नमः
ॐ सत्यम् शिवम् सुंदरम् शिवानी सहिताय नमः

Om. Salutations to Lord Ganesha along with Goddess Riddhi and Siddhi.
Om, Salutations to Goddess Parvati (Shakti), who is Truth, Auspiciousness, and Beauty.

पितृ मातृ नमः पूज्य गुरुवर नमः
राजा गुरुजन प्रजा सर्वे सादर नमः

Salutations to all the ancestors, salutations to all the mothers and all the revered Gurus.
To the king, teachers and all the citizens of the kingdom, our profound salutations.

वीणा वादिनी शारदे रखो हमारा ध्यान,
सम्यक वाणी शुद्ध कर, हमको करो प्रदान ।

One who carries the Veena (Goddess Sarasvati), please take care of us, and bestow upon us pure action and speech.

सबको विनय प्रणाम कर सबसे अनुमति मांग,
लव कुश ने छेड़ा सरस राम कथा का राग ।

After greeting everyone humbly and taking permission from them, Luv and Kush started singing the melody of the story of Lord Rama.

हम कथा सुनाते राम सकल गुण ग्राम की,
ये रामायण है पुण्य कथा श्री राम की ।

We are telling the story of the great Lord Rama (which is called Ramayana), who is the temple of all the good qualities. This Ramayana is the sacred and complete story of Lord Rama.

रामभद्र के सभी वंशधर,
वचन परायण धरम धुरंधर,
कहे उनकी कथा ये भूमि अयोध्या धाम की ।

All the archers of the Raghu clan were holders of promises (keepers of vows), and they were great warriors. And this is their story, and also of the state (land) of Ayodhya.

यही जन्मभूमि है पुरुषोत्तम गुणग्राम की,
ये रामायण है पुण्य कथा श्री राम की ।

It is this land where the holiest man, Rama, took birth. And this Ramayana speaks about the holy story (leela) of the same Lord Rama.

चैत्र शुक्ल नवमी तिथि आयी,
मध्य दिवस में राम को लायी,
बनकर कौशल्या के लाला,
प्रकट भये हरी परम कृपाला ।

The 9th day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of Chaitra month arrived, and in the afternoon time, brought Lord Rama as the son of Mother Kaushalya. The great and compassionate Lord Hari came on earth (as Rama).

राम के संग जो भ्राता आये,
लखन, भरत, शत्रुघ्न कहाये,
गुरु वशिष्ठ से चारो भाई,
अल्प काल विद्या सब पाई ।

Then came brothers of Lord Rama, who later were named as Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughna. These four brothers, being Rama the eldest, got the education from Sage Vashishtha. They all completed their education at very early age.

मुनिवर विश्वामित्र पधारे,
मांगे दशरथ के दृग तारे,
बोले राम लखन निधिया है हमारे काम की ।

One day, sage Vishvamitra (who later taught Rama and Lakshmana the knowledge of celestial weaponry and advanced religion) arrived at the palace of Ayodhya, and asked Dasharatha for his beloved sons telling him that Rama and his brother Lakshmana were needed for his work (which was troubled by the demons).

हम कथा सुनाते पुरुषोत्तम गुण ग्राम की,
ये रामायण है पुण्य कथा श्री राम की ।

We are telling the story of the great Lord Rama, who is the temple of all the good qualities. This Ramayana is the sacred and complete story of Lord Rama.

सबके हृदय अधीर कर, भरतर तश में तीर,
चल दिए विश्वामित्र संग, लखन और रघुवीर ।

Making everyone's heart restless and filling their eyes with tears, Lord Rama left Ayodhya, with his brother, carrying a bow and quiver full of arrows and went with sage Vishvamitra to his hermitage.

प्रथम ही राम ताड़का मारी, की मुनि आश्रम की रखवारी,
बिन फर बाण मारीच को मारा, शत योजन गिरा सागर पारा ।

First, Rama killed Taraka (an ally of demon Ravana) and started guarding the sage's hermitage. He then shot an arrow at Maricha (son of Taraka), thus killing and casting him hundreds of Yojanas across the ocean.

व्यथिक अहिल्या का किया पद रज से कल्याण,
पहुंचे प्रभुवर जनकपुर, करके गंगा स्नान ।

After that, he liberated the afflicted Ahilya by the touch of his feet (from the curse of being a stone). And after taking bath in holy river Ganga, he reached Janakpur (palace of King Janaka) as per the advice of Vishvamitra.

सिया का भव्य स्वयंवर है,
सबकी दृष्टि में नाम राम का, सबसे ऊपर है,
सिया का भव्य स्वयम्बर है ।

Here, in Janakpur, is happening the great Svayamvar of Sita. Everyone's eyes were filled with the name of Rama (since he had the perfect stature, peaceful nature, and noble look, and the great realized sages already knew him as the great Lord Hari, manifested in human form) among all the candidates present there who had come to prove their worthiness to marry Sita. Because this day is the great Svayamvar of Sita (daughter of king Janaka).

जनकराज का कठिन प्रण, तारण रहे सुनाये,
भंग करे जो शिवधनुष, ले वही सियको पाये ।

King Janaka had a difficult condition which had to be met to prove the worthiness of marrying Sita. He told this condition to everyone who were present there. The condition was "only the one who could strung Lord Shiva's bow would get permission to marry with his daughter", by listening which many warriors attempted to lift the bow, but failed.

विश्वामित्र का इंगित पाया,
सहज राम ने धनुष उठाया,
भेद किसी को हुआ न ज्ञात,
कब शिव धनु तोडा रघुनाथ ।

During that moment, sage Vishvamitra advised Rama to go there and lift the bow. As per his advice, Lord Rama went there and easily lifted up the bow. When he drew the string, the bow broke into pieces. The scenario was so miraculous and legendary that no one could even realize when Lord Rama broke the bow. But whatever, Rama fulfilled the condition of marrying Sita.

निकट वृक्ष के आ गयी बेली,
सिय जयमाल राम उर मेलि ।

The most auspicious moment arrived. Sita put the garland around Rama's neck, thus accepting Rama as her husband [Note: Rama and Sita are the incarnations of Shri Hari and Goddess Lakshmi, and thus, these all are the leelas of their own will].

सुन्दर शाश्वत अभिनव जोड़ी,
जो उपमा दी जाए सो थोड़ी,
करे दोनों धूमिल कांति कोटि रति काम की ।

Beautiful, unique and spectacular couple are Rama and Sita. There was nothing amiss in their relationship. They were both loved and respected by all.

हम कथा सुनाते पुरुषोत्तम गुण ग्राम की,
ये रामायण है पुण्य कथा सीयाराम की ।

We are telling the story of the great Lord Rama, who is the temple of all the good qualities. This Ramayana is the sacred and complete story of Lord Rama.

सबको डूबोकर राम के रस में,
लव कुश ने किये जन मन वश में,
आगे कथा बढ़ाते जाएँ,
जो कुछ घटा सुनाते जाएँ ।

Everyone was mesmerized listening to Luv and Kush, to their story which glorifies the story of Rama. They proceeded with the story. Everything that happened they told one by one.

कैसे हुई विधिना की दृष्टि वक्र,
सफल हुआ कैकयी का कुचक्र,
राम लखन सीता का वन गमन,
वियोग में दशरथ मरण,
चित्रकूट और पंचवटी,
जहाँ जहाँ जो जो घटना घटी,

How fate played a game with Rama, how Kaikeyi got success in her immoral plan to banish Rama to the forest for 14 years; how Rama, with His wife (Sita), left for the forest, and how King Dasharath (father of Rama) died in grief of the banishment of Rama and Lakshmana. Along with this, whatever happened in Chitrakut and Panchavati, and also in other places (like Lanka),

सविस्तार सब कथा सुनाके,
लव कुश रुके अयोध्या आके,
गया विजय का पर्व मनाया,
राम को अवध नरेश बनाया ।

They told the tale completely. And again brought their story back to Ayodhya. The people of Ayodhya celebrated the victory of Lord Rama against demon Ravana (i.e. victory of good over evil). And after that, Lord Rama was crowned the king of Ayodhya.

नियति काल और प्रजा ने मिलकर ऐसा जाल बिछाया,
दो अविभाज्य आत्माओ पर समय बिछोह का आया ।

With grief heart, Luv and Kush continued telling the story of how fate and subject together created a trap to cause two inseparable souls (Rama and Sita) to be made separated by time.

अवध के वासी कैसे अत्याचारी,
राम सिया के मध्य रखी संदेह की इक चिंगारी,
कलंकित कर दी निष्कलंक गृह नारी ।

Luv and Kush told, "O the people of Ayodhya, what torture have you created!! How could you pull a line of suspicion between Rama and Sita (who were fit to be worshipped)!! And how could you accuse an innocent woman!!".

चिंतित सिया आये ना कोई आंच पति सम्मान पर,
धीरव रहे महाराज भी सीता के वन प्रस्थान पर,
ममतामयी माँओ के नाते पर भी पाला पड़ गया,
गुरुदेव गुरुजन जैसे सबके मुख पे ताला पड़ गया ।

Sita was worried that no one should harm her husband's honor (since Rama was a king and it was his duty to listen to his citizens' requirements), and thus prepared to leave for the forest. No one tried to stop her and speak on her right. Even Rama remained quiet (though unwillingly due to his obligation to the kingdom) when Sita left for the forest. Even the mothers did not think straight (morally), and all the sages and teachers too remained silent.

सिया को लखन बिठा के रथ में,
छोड़ आये कांटो के पथ में ।

Placing Sita on the chariot, Lakshmana left her in the path full of thorns, nowhere to go.

ज्ञान चेतना नगरवासियो ने जब सब खो डाली,
तब असहाय सिया के एक महर्षि बने रखवाली ।

This all happened when the town's people lost their thinking ability. However, fortunately a sage found her and started taking care of her who was helpless.

वाल्मीकिजी मिल गए सिय को जनक समान,
पुत्रीवत वात्सल्य दे आश्रम में दिया स्थान ।

That sage was Valmiki, who was like a father to Sita. Feeling compassion for her as if she is his daughter, the sage Valmiki let her stay in his own hermitage.

दिव्य दीप देवी ने जलाये,
राम के दो सूत सिया ने जाए ।

The Goddess (Mother Sita) brightened this world with a sacred light. She gave birth to two sons of Rama.

श्रोतागण, सीता एक राजकन्या है, राजरानी है,
नारी जाति को महिमामंडित करनेवाली,
ये महानारी वनवास को गरिमा प्रदान कर,
वहाँ अपने दिन कैसे बितारही है ईसकी एक झलक प्रस्तुत है ।

Members of the audience! Sita is royal member and a royal queen, She is a woman who has honored the whole of womankind. Such a great woman is mother Sita. Now, we are about to do a small mention to reflect how such woman is spending her days in the forest to honor her exile…

नंगे पाओ नदिया से भर के लाती है नीर,
नीर से विषाद के नयन न भीगाती है,
लकडिया काटती है धान कूट छांटती है,
विधिना के बाण सह सह मुस्काती है ।

She goes barefoot to the river to fetch water which she uses to wash off her tears of grieve (of being away from her husband). She cuts and collects wood, beats the paddy, and bears all the painful arrows of hardships, but still smiles (to hide her pain from us).

कर्त्तव्य भावना की चक्की के दो बाटो में,
वो बिना प्रतिवाद किये पिसती ही जाती है,
ऐसे में भी पुत्रो को सीखा के सारे संस्कार,
स्वावलम्बी स्वाभिमानी प्रबल बनाती है ।

To fulfil her duties, even though she's completely innocent, she faces punishment without objection. Even facing all these difficulties, she still teaches her children the lesson of moralities and ethics, and how to be self-reliant and capable.

व्रत उपवास पूजा अनुष्ठान करती है,
प्रतिपल नाम बस राम का ही लेती है,
जिनकी तानो ने किया हृदय विदीर्ण माता,
उनको भी सदा शुभकामना ही देती है ।

She follows all rituals and observes fasting, performs worship of God, and chants all the time the name of Rama. Even those who have hurt her immensely, she wishes good for them too.

देवी पे जो आपदा है विधि की विडम्बना,
या प्रजा की उठायी हुई अभीति की रीति है,
जगत की नैया के खिवैया की है रानी,
पर, स्वयं की नैया सीता स्वयं ही खेती है ।

What she is going through, is it destiny or because of the objection of the citizens!! Being the queen of a king, and the care-taker of the whole world, she still is forced to fend for herself.

भ्रमित संदेही बस टिका टिपण्णी ही करे,
कुछ नहीं सुझे उन्हे पीछे और आगे का,
धोबियो की दृष्टी बस मैल और धब्बे देखे,
कपडा बुना हो चाहे कैसे ही धागे का ।

The doubtful hearts only know how to put criticization and commentary on everything; they are not able to think rationally. A washerman sees only dirt and stain on the cloth; he doesn't care what fabric the cloth has been woven.

स्वर्णकार स्वर्ण में सच्चाई की जचायी करे,
अग्नि में ही तपना ही दंड है अभागी का,
हृदयो के स्थान पे पाषाण जहाँ रखे वहाँ,
किसपे प्रभाव हो सिया के गृह त्यागे का ।

Even the goldsmith burns the gold to identify its purity, and that is the fate of pure gold too. How then will stone-hearted people (citizens of Ayodhya) be bothered about Sita's exile??

महल में पली बड़ी महल में ब्याही गयी,
महल का जीवन परन्तु मिला नाम का,
ऐसे असमय में महल त्याग वन चली,
समय था जब देखरेख विश्राम का ।

One who was raised in the palace and who was married in the palace, for her, life in the palace became only for a name. And at the time when she needed extra care and nourishment (since being pregnant), she was rather renunciated to the forest.

करके संग्राम राम लंका से छुड़ाए लाये,
क्रम नहीं टूटा पर जीवन संग्राम का,
तब वनवास में निभाया साथ रामजी का,
अब वनवास काटे दिया हुआ राम का ।

Rama freed Sita from Lanka after a war, but he couldn't win the life's battle against suspicion. Sita accompanied Rama on his exile, and now the same Rama has exiled her in the forest (without accompanying her).

कर्मयोगिनी परमपुनीता,
मात हमारी भगवती सीता ।

Such a dedicated wife, and a pure hearted woman, Goddess Sita, is our mother.

हम लव कुश रघुकुल के तारे,
पूज्य पिता श्री राम हमारे ।

We are Luv and Kush, the delight (sons) of Raghu dynasty. And respectable Rama is our father.

धन्य हम इन चरणों में आके,
राम निकट रामायण गाके ।

Blessed are we to have reached here, in his feet, and to recite Ramayana in front of Rama himself.

॥जय श्री राम॥

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NOTE:
The song is only a depiction of how Luv and Kush have narrated the story. The words are not directly translated from Sanskrit. It is only a song composed to make people understand Ramayana in simple language. For full understanding of Ramayana, one should study the original book written by sage Valmiki (or translated by Bhanubhakta Acharya).