35. iru mannar peRREnO vAlmIkiyaip pOlE

After the coronation at Ayodhya, Sri Rama ruled the kingdom for a long time. At one time, when Sita had become pregnant, Rama heard that a washerman spoke ill of the fact that He had brought back Sita who was imprisoned in Ravana's place and made Her His queen. He then decided to leave Her in the forest.

During this time, Sita asked a boon from Rama that She be allowed to live in the forest for a while. So, Rama asked Lakshmana to take Her to the forest and leave Her near Valmiki Maharishi's ashrama permanently. Lakshmana followed the order of Rama and did the same.

Valmiki Maharishi took mother Sita to his ashrama and protected Her there. After a while Sita gace birth to the twins Lava and Kucha. When they were born, Valmiki blessed them by rubbing one child with the tip of the darba grass and the other with its root - the tip of this grass is called Kucham and the root is called Lavam - thus the boys were named.

Valmiki acted as their guardian and brought them up as worthy sons of Rama. He taught them all vidya's and also the Ramayana story.

Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I do service to the Lord and brought up the two princes, like Valmiki did?"