Kuśa

Role: king · First appears: Book I, Canto 34 · Brahmadatta

In Book I, Canto 34, Kuśa is described as a just and faithful king who reigned “of yore.” His queen bore him four valiant sons: Kuśámba, Kuśanábha, Amúrtarajas and Vasu. In Book I, Canto 35, Viśvámitra says Kuśa was his ancestor.

Book I also recounts Kuśa’s descent from Brahmá: Canto 51 says that Brahmá gave birth to Kuśa, and names Kuśanábha as his son.

Relationship record

Life events

• Kuśa reigned as a just and faithful king.(Book I, Canto 34 · Brahmadatta)
  • “A king of Brahmá’s seed who bore The name of Kuśa reigned of yore.”
• Kuśa’s queen bore him four valiant sons.(Book I, Canto 34 · Brahmadatta)
  • “Like their own father, children four, All valiant boys, the lady bore.”
• Brahmá gave birth to Kuśa.(Book I, Canto 51 · Visvámitra)
  • With: Brahmá
  • “Of old the Lord of Life gave birth To mighty Kuśa, king of earth.”
• Kuśanábha was Kuśa’s son.(Book I, Canto 51 · Visvámitra)
  • With: Kuśanábha
  • “His son was Kuśanábha, strong, Friend of the right, the foe of wrong.”

Book I, Canto 34 · Brahmadatta

• child: Kuśámba “Like their own father, children four, All valiant boys, the lady bore. In glorious deeds each nerve they strained, And well their Warrior part sustained. To them most just, and true, and brave, Their father thus his counsel gave: ‘Beloved children, ne’er forget Protection is a prince’s debt: The noble work at once begin, High virtue and her fruits to win.’ The youths, to all the people dear, Received his speech with willing ear; And each went forth his several way, Foundations of a town to lay. Kuśámba, prince of high renown, Was builder of Kauśámbí’s town, And Kuśanábha, just and wise, Bade high Mahodaya’s towers arise. Amúrtarajas chose to dwell In Dharmáraṇya’s citadel, And Vasu bade his city fair The name of Girivraja bear.”
• child: Kuśanábha “Like their own father, children four, All valiant boys, the lady bore. In glorious deeds each nerve they strained, And well their Warrior part sustained. To them most just, and true, and brave, Their father thus his counsel gave: ‘Beloved children, ne’er forget Protection is a prince’s debt: The noble work at once begin, High virtue and her fruits to win.’ The youths, to all the people dear, Received his speech with willing ear; And each went forth his several way, Foundations of a town to lay. Kuśámba, prince of high renown, Was builder of Kauśámbí’s town, And Kuśanábha, just and wise, Bade high Mahodaya’s towers arise. Amúrtarajas chose to dwell In Dharmáraṇya’s citadel, And Vasu bade his city fair The name of Girivraja bear.”
• child: Amúrtarajas “Like their own father, children four, All valiant boys, the lady bore. In glorious deeds each nerve they strained, And well their Warrior part sustained. To them most just, and true, and brave, Their father thus his counsel gave: ‘Beloved children, ne’er forget Protection is a prince’s debt: The noble work at once begin, High virtue and her fruits to win.’ The youths, to all the people dear, Received his speech with willing ear; And each went forth his several way, Foundations of a town to lay. Kuśámba, prince of high renown, Was builder of Kauśámbí’s town, And Kuśanábha, just and wise, Bade high Mahodaya’s towers arise. Amúrtarajas chose to dwell In Dharmáraṇya’s citadel, And Vasu bade his city fair The name of Girivraja bear.”
• child: Vasu “Like their own father, children four, All valiant boys, the lady bore. In glorious deeds each nerve they strained, And well their Warrior part sustained. To them most just, and true, and brave, Their father thus his counsel gave: ‘Beloved children, ne’er forget Protection is a prince’s debt: The noble work at once begin, High virtue and her fruits to win.’ The youths, to all the people dear, Received his speech with willing ear; And each went forth his several way, Foundations of a town to lay. Kuśámba, prince of high renown, Was builder of Kauśámbí’s town, And Kuśanábha, just and wise, Bade high Mahodaya’s towers arise. Amúrtarajas chose to dwell In Dharmáraṇya’s citadel, And Vasu bade his city fair The name of Girivraja bear.”

Book I, Canto 35 · Visvámitra’s Lineage

• parent: Brahmá “Then Kuśa, Brahmá’s son, appeared,”
• younger kin: Viśvámitra “My sire was he; through him I trace My line from royal Kuśa’s race.”

Book I, Canto 51 · Visvámitra

• parent: Brahmá “Of old the Lord of Life gave birth To mighty Kuśa, king of earth.”
• child: Kuśanábha “His son was Kuśanábha, strong, Friend of the right, the foe of wrong.”

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Extracted from the original text of The Rámáyan of Válmíki. Made with Rho MD.