Seeta was shaken completely. On the one hand, she was upset that the boys were engaged in a battle with their father but on the other hand, she was extremely proud of their courage and skill. Her problem was how to stop the battle between father and the sons.
Many thoughts were crossing her mind. She would see her husband Rama after so many years, but her sons would stand in front of their father with their bows and arrows. What had God in store for her? She was on the horns of dilemma—whether to feel happy or express her grief.
Seeta asked the boys to untie Hanuman first. They obeyed her immediately and went off. Seeta ran to Sage Valmiki and told him what had happened. She begged him to stop the battle that resulted in the killing of so many soldiers. Her sons defeated and humiliated Rama’s brothers and were now fighting against their father. The far-sighted Sage Valmiki smiled and reassured her, “I have been waiting for the right moment, my child! I knew this would happen. Everything that has happened so far is for the good of all of us.” Pacifying her, he said that every incident was conducive to her welfare.
The next day, the boys reached the battlefield again. They challenged Rama to battle if he wished to take the horse back. Otherwise, he might leave it and go away.
They further added, “You are Rama, king of Ayodhya. You killed Ravana of Lanka. You are possessed of prowess and valour. Your glory has spread far and wide. If this is true, then why do you hesitate to battle with us? We challenge you to a fight. Show us your prowess and take the horse back.”
Rama smiled and said, “You are too young to throw such challenges. Return the horse and go back home, my boys.”
But Luv and Kush were warriors and could not run away from the battlefield. Thus they resumed the battle. Rama once again defended himself easily for a long time. Then the sheer stubbornness on the part of the boys got him thoroughly irritated and he took out a powerful arrow from his quiver. Just then, Sage Valmiki reached there. Recognising him, Rama got down from his chariot and bowed at his feet respectfully.
