Lav and Kush: The Battle with Shatrughna's Army

A little later, Lav and Kush noticed that some soldiers had come searching for the horse. The soldiers became angry when they saw the horse tied to a tree and prepared for battle. However, they noticed two young boys, who looked like rishis, playing with the horse. This sight reassured the soldiers, as they thought the boys had caught the horse by mistake. They requested the boys to free the horse, but Lav and Kush refused and instead challenged the soldiers to a battle.

Initially, the soldiers dismissed this as childish obstinacy and tried to persuade them gently. But Lav and Kush were not ordinary children; they knew exactly what they were doing. They declined the soldiers' request to free the horse. This dispute agitated the soldiers, whose patience ran out. They prepared to fight Lav and Kush.

Lav and Kush shot arrows, creating a deafening noise. Several soldiers were injured. The young boys overpowered the soldiers, and those who survived ran to Shatrughna to report. They said, "Sire, those two boys are extraordinary. They have destroyed our army. With great difficulty, some soldiers managed to save their lives."

Shatrughna was astonished to learn how bold these young boys were and became eager to meet them. He told the soldiers to stay calm and decided to confront Lav and Kush himself. The boys were extraordinarily gifted, handsome, and wise beyond their years. They posed several questions to Shatrughna: "Oh king, who are you? Which country do you rule? Why are you wandering in this desolate forest? What are you searching for? Have you lost something? Why have you left this horse here? Have you come here hoping to defeat us?"

Shatrughna could not tolerate so many questions from the boys. Angered, he picked up his bow and arrow. With lightning speed, Lav and Kush also picked up their bows and arrows and started attacking Shatrughna. Their arrows broke Shatrughna's chariot. Shatrughna ordered his soldiers to capture the boys and free the horse. He told the soldiers that if they could not apprehend the boys, he would do it himself.

The soldiers started battling Lav and Kush but were soon overpowered. With their divine weapons, Lav and Kush disarmed the soldiers, who became frightened and fled. They did not have the strength to confront Lav and Kush. Shatrughna felt humiliated, which enraged him further. The two boys didn't just break Shatrughna's chariot; they also defeated his army. Shatrughna's fury caused him to forget that his adversaries were just two young boys.