Madhu, the rakshasa, married Kumbhinasi and had a son named Lavana. The sages told Rama that Lavana possessed Rudra’s trident that his father gave him before leaving the world. The sages then told Rama that they were fearful of Lavana. They asked him to protect them just like he had done by killing Ravana.
On Rama’s request, the sages told him about Lavanasura. He lived in Madhuvana and ate animals and other creatures. Rama assured the sages that he would kill Lavana. He then summoned his brothers and asked who among them would kill Lavana. Bharata volunteered, and Shatrughna responded by saying that Bharata had undergone a lot of hardship when Rama was in exile.
Shatrughna told Rama that Bharata should not undergo hardship, and hence, Rama should permit him to kill Lavana. Rama agreed and asked Shatrughna to kill Lavana and rule over his kingdom. Shatrughna was then consecrated as the king of Madhu’s kingdom. Rama gave Shatrughna a mighty arrow that Vishnu had used to kill the demons Madhu and Kaitaba.
Rama then advised Shatrughna on how to kill Lavana. He told Shatrughna that Lavana kept Rudra’s trident inside his palace and would use it to kill anyone who challenged him. Rama told Shatrughna to wait for Lavana at his gate and fight with him before he entered his city. This was the only way Lavana could be killed.
As per Rama’s advice, Shatrughna departed alone to Lavana’s kingdom. On the way, he arrived at Valmiki’s ashrama. After eating the food offered by the sage, Shatrughna enquired about how they had conducted the sacrifice near the hermitage. Valmiki then told him about Shatrughna’s ancestor, Mitrasaha, the son of Sudasa.
Mitrahasa once saw two rakshasas devouring all animals in a forest. The angry prince of Ayodhya then killed one of the rakshasas. The other rakshasa vanished, saying he would respond later. Years later, Mitrasaha performed a sacrifice officiated by sage Vasishta. After the sacrifice was complete, the rakshasa came there in the guise of Vasishta, and demanded flesh from Mitrasaha.
Mitrasaha then ordered his cook to prepare a meat dish quickly. The cook was scared, but the rakshasa assumed the form of the cook and prepared the dish. The king then offered the meat dish to Vasishta. The sage was furious and cursed Mitrasaha, saying he would have to eat the same food for twelve years. Valmiki thus narrated the story of the sacrifice.
While Shatrughna was at the hermitage, the pregnant Sita gave birth to twins. Valmiki was pleased and took Kusha grass with him. He cleaned the first child with the grass and named the child Kusha. The other child was blessed with the remaining part of the grass and was named Lava. Shatrughna was delighted with the news.
Once the month of Shravana was complete, Shatrughna left to sage Bhargava Chyavana’s ashrama. The sage then told Shatrughna about all those who had fought with Lavana and faced defeat. The great king Mandhata, son of Yuvanashva, wanted to conquer the three worlds. The scared Indra told Mandhata to first capture the kingdom of Lavana before thinking of conquering all the worlds.
Mandhata sent a messenger to Lavana, but the rakshasa ate up the messenger. Mandhata then went to attack Lavana with his army. The rakshasa then used Rudra’s trident and burnt the king and his army. After narrating this, the sage assured Shatrughna that he would be able to kill Lavana as long as the asura did not have the trident with him.
Shatrughna then proceeded to Madhupura and waited for the rakshasa outside his gate. In the afternoon, the rakshasa returned, having killed and eaten thousands of creatures. Seeing Shatrughna, Lavana laughed at him and mocked him. Shatrughna was furious and challenged Lavanasura for a duel.
