Hinduism Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for followers of the Hindu religion and those interested in learning more about Hinduism. It only takes a minute to sign up.
Sign up to join this community
I get different answers from different sources as for who is the elder of the twins.
I think this has to do with the addition of lore of Valmiki creating the twins from a grass (Kusha) but is there a definite sloka which determines who was the eldest amongst the twins
For example : This wiki page quotes Kusha as eldest.
I searched a bit and found this English translation of Uttara Ramayanam which seems to answer this question.
and attained to great delight on beholding those two highly effulgent sons, resembling the newly risen sun and the celestials. There upon he made arrangements against the oppression of ghosts and goblins. There upon taking Kusa (the upperpart of the grass) and Lava (lower part) the great ascetic Valmiki made those arrangements. And giving Kusa sanctified by those Mantras unto the hands of elderly woman he said, "do ye rub the person of the elder boy with these"; and giving them Lava he said “do ye rub the person of the younger brother with this. And according to this I shall name the first Son Kusa and the second Lava; and by those names they shall be celebrated on earth.” Thereupon reverentially taking from the hands of Vãlmiki and Kusa Lava, the means of protection, the elderly ladies engaged in guarding them. Hearing that Sita without any trouble had given birth to two sons and elderly female ascetics had been engaged in protecting them and hearing the chanting of Rãma’s glories in the midnight, Satrughna thought within himself. “Blessed it is that Sitã hath given birth to two sons.” And with this joy the live long night of Srãbana passed away in no time. Having performed the morning rites after the expiration of the night and taken farewell from the ascetic Vãlmiki, Lakshmana proceeded towards the west.
Posting the screenshot of the relevant portion for reference
