page_title: Lava (Ramayana)
section_title: Birth and childhood
hierarchical_section_title: Lava (Ramayana) / Birth and childhood
caption_attribution_description: English: The Poet Valmiki, teaching Ramayana to Kusa and Lava Kangra School, late 18th c.
context_page_description: Lava and his twin brother Kusha, were the children of Rama and Sita. Their story is recounted in the Hindu epic, Ramayana and its other versions. He is said to have a whitish golden complexion like their mother, while Kusha had a blackish complexion like their father.
  Lava is purported to have founded Lavapuri
  ,
  which is named after him.
context_section_description: First chapter of Ramayana, Balakanda mentioned Valmiki narrating the Ramayana to his disciples Lava and Kusha. But their birth and childhood story is mentioned in last chapter Uttara Kanda which is not believe to be original work of Valmiki. According to the legend, Sita banished herself from the kingdom due to the gossip of the kingdom folk about her sanctity. She chose self exile and took refuge in the ashram of Sage Valmiki located on the banks of the Tamsa river. Lava and Kusha were born at the ashram and were educated and trained in military skills under the tutelage of Sage Valmiki. They also learned the story of Rama.
caption: The Sage Valmiki, teaching Ramayana to Lava and Kusa
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