After returning from Lanka, Ram had exiled Sita to the forest. At that time, she was pregnant. She lived in sage Valmiki’s ashram. There she gave birth to twin sons Lav and Kush. They grew up into smart boys. Meanwhile, Ram organised a grand Ashwamedh yajna. A white horse, decorated with jewels and rich clothes, was taken around through several kingdoms. A banner hung around the horse’s neck proclaiming that anybody who dared to tie the horse would have to fight against the soldiers accompanying it. One day, the horse trotted into the forest where Ram’s twin sons lived. Lav tied the horse to a tree, fully knowing what he was doing. Ram’s army, led by Shatrughna, reached the ashram. Luv was with the horse. “O little one! This is an Ashwamedh horse; it is no game here. If you tie this horse, you will have to fight against us. Release the horse, child,” said the soldiers.
Lav Catches the Ashwamedh Horse
