Uttara Kanda, Sarga 68

Meaning

During that night Śatrughna entered the arbour. The same very night Sītā gave birth to two sons. (1)

Meaning

At midnight, the young ascetics spoke to sage Vālmīki about the auspicious motherhood of Sītā, which news very much pleased him: (2)

Meaning

‘Sir, the wife of Rāma has given birth to two sons. So, O powerful one, make the protecting rites that destroy the ill spirits of the nether world.’ (3)

Meaning

Hearing these words from them, the great sage went there and saw the two sons, who were like sons of the gods and were as effulgent as the moon. (4)

Meaning

The sage went there joyfully and looked at the two sons and made the sacrament for both of them that kills the inauspicous Bhūtas and destroys the Rākṣasa. (5)

Meaning

That Brāhmaṇa Vālmīki took the handful of Kuśa and Lava (the lower portion of the Kuśa grass) and preparing the totemic device, handed it over to them, the protective symbol that kills the Bhūtas. (6)

Meaning

‘He who of the two was born first should be cleansed with the Kuśas purified by chants and then his name will be ‘Kuśa.’ (7)

Meaning

‘Who happens to be born later, should be cleansed carefully with Lava by the old women and will be known by the name of Lava. (8)

Meaning

‘Thus these twins named Kuśa and Lava will become famous bearing the names given by me.’ (9)

Meaning

Then the old women of Āśrama pure in mind took with care the totemic device from the hands of the sage and performed the protective rites of the twins. (10)

Meaning

While in this manner (the symbolic protection) was being performed by the old women, Śatrughna at midnight heard the joyful Gotra and name of Śrī Rāma and also the news of delivery of the two sons by Sītā and then having entered the arbour of Sītā said, ‘O mother, by the grace of God two sons are born to you.’ (11-12)

Meaning

Then the night of the rainy season of the month of Śrāvaṇa (full moon) passed swiftly with noble Śatrughna enjoying himself. (13)

Meaning

At break of dawn, having performed the morning ablutions, he (Śatrughna) taking leave of the sage with folded hands, started forth to the western direction. (14)

Meaning

Reaching the banks of the Yamunā, and having spent seven nights on the way he (Śatrughna) made for his stay in the hermitages of the sages of holy fame. (15)

Meaning

He, the famous one, dwelt there with the sages among whom Bhārgava was the foremost, taking part in talks proper to the occasion. (16)

Meaning

This way the mightiest among Raghus and great souled Śatrughna in the company of sages like Cyavana passed that night through hearing various religious tales. (17)