Shatrughna followed the horse at the head of a large army of soldiers. Wherever it went, people offered great respect to Shatrughna and paid homage to Rama’s sovereignty. They agreed to pay the annual taxes to Rama as well.
The horse was moving at a smooth pace, crossing many states. One day, the horse reached Sage Valmiki’s ashrama. Kush and Luv saw the gorgeous horse and were thrilled. They promptly caught the horse and tied it to a tree. They read the declaration tied around its neck and waited for the horse’s guards to arrive. Soon the troops arrived.
They were annoyed to see the horse tied to a tree, but when they saw the two hermit boys, they laughed thinking it was just a childish prank. They came forward to untie the horse.
Thereupon Lav uttered “Why are you untying the horse? This horse now belongs to us.” The soldiers tried to persuade the boys thus, “Dear! This horse is not a playing.” But the two boys did not pay heed to them. The angry soldiers threatened the boys who flatly refused to part with the horse. Thus Luv and Kush shot sharp arrows at the soldiers who fled the place in a trice.
When Shatrughna came to know about this, he was surprised. He thought how the boys could catch the horse when even the brave warriors were afraid of catching it. He immediately reached the place where the horse was tied to the tree.
When he saw the two boys, he felt deep love for them and offered to give them toys in exchange for the horse. “Please give me the horse,” he requested. He explained to them everything about the Ashwamedha Yajna and the condition attached to it.
“O King! We have caught this horse in the forest. If you wish to take it away then defeat me in the battle,” Luv explained.
Thereupon Shatrughna stated, “Children! Haven’t you read the declaration tied around the neck of the horse? This horse is of the Ashwamedha Yajna being performed by Rama of Ayodhya. Please return it to me.”
After reading the declaration Luv-Kush smiled and said, “We see; as you have let it loose in the forest then as per the declaration you must battle with us.”
“Dear children! Why do you wish to harm yourselves,” Shatrughna stated softly and politely.
“O King! We are not the kids who play with toys. We know how to shoot arrows. Only after defeating us can you take away the horse,” uttered both the brothers.
Shatrughna was enraged. He picked up his bow and arrows and began to aim the arrows at the children. But within minutes the boys destroyed his arrows as well as chariot. Shatrughna ordered his soldiers to capture the youngsters. But the soldiers were no match for the speed and accuracy of Luv and Kush. Shatrughna attacked the boys furiously. But Luv and Kush were capable of defending themselves. They had been trained by Sage Valmiki in warfare. Very soon, the boys chased off the army and wounded Shatrughna who dropped down unconscious. Seeing this the few soldiers who had remained there ran to Ayodhya to break the news to Rama.
Rama ordered Lakshmana to go forth to fetch the horse. He said that the boys should not be killed. They should only be captured.
