The Ashvamedh Yagya and the Rise of Lav and Kush

Maharshi Valmiki, with his clairvoyant vision, saw the future clearly. The epic he had been diligently composing was nearing completion. He prepared to write the next chapter of the Ramayan: the chapter on Lav and Kush.

Lav and Kush were talented young boys who had inherited their parents' divine qualities. Their horoscope predicted that they would be victorious in war. Under Valmiki's training, Lav and Kush became as well-versed in the arts as their father, Ram. He also taught them to respect their elders and lead lives of sacrifice. Both boys revered their mother, Seeta, and their guru, Valmiki. They also learned archery from the Maharshi and soon became great archers. Maharshi Valmiki took a keen interest in educating them because he knew they would one day become the rulers of Ayodhya and have to participate in war and governance.

In class, they studied and recited the Ramayan. Every day, Maharshi Valmiki made Lav and Kush memorize a few slokas from the epic. When they went to the city and sang the Ramayan, it seemed like the verses emanated straight from their hearts. Ram once heard them singing and became emotional, not knowing they were his children. The listeners were mesmerized not only by the boys' singing but also by their attractive forms. They resembled their father, Ram, which caused tears of joy to flow from the audience's eyes.

One day, Ram decided to perform an Ashvamedh Yagya. He spoke to Lakshman about this and told him to invite Rishis Vashishth, Vamdev, Javali, and Kashyap.

Maharshi Vashishth became the head priest of the yagya and instructed Bharat, Lakshman, and Shatrughna to prepare for the event. When all the preparations were complete, invitations were sent to rishis, saints, and Brahmins to participate in the yagya. Invitations were also sent to the kings of neighboring kingdoms. Jambavan, Sugreev, Vibhishan, Nal, Neel, Vardhan, and Kuber came to participate in the yagya. Maharshi Vishvamitra arrived with his thousand students. Janak, the king of Mithila, was also present.

The yagya could not be successful without the presence of both husband and wife. Since Seeta was absent, her gold statue was placed on Ram's left side. The Ashvamedh Yagya was inaugurated by chanting holy Vedic mantras. An excellent specimen of a black horse was decorated with jewelry. After Ram was satisfied that all the requisite rituals were completed, he freed the horse. He told Lakshman and the priests associated with the yagya to pursue the horse so that all the rituals would be performed properly. He himself went to the Naimisha forest, where a huge altar had been built for the Ashvamedh Yagya.

Several kings had come to the Naimisha forest for the yagya. Ram presented them with gifts, delicious food, and beautiful clothes. Bharat and Shatrughna arranged amenities and entertainment for the guests. Sugreev and the other monkeys served the Brahmins, while Vibheeshan and his demon attendants served the rishis. The yagya went on for a year.