The Birth of Shri Ram

Twelve months passed after the sacrifice. The month of Chaitra came. It was the ninth day of the bright fortnight, the star was Punarvasu, and the sun stood directly overhead. It was neither hot nor cold, and a cool, gentle, fragrant breeze was blowing. At that hour Queen Kaushalya gave birth to a son whose signs left the astrologers amazed.

Goswami Tulsidas sings of this moment in words that are still sung in every temple on Ram Navami:

Bhaye pragat kripala, deen-dayala, Kausalya hitkari.

"The gracious one appeared, compassionate to the humble, the well-wisher of Kaushalya." The Ramcharitmanas says that the mother first saw the Lord in his four-armed form, holding conch, discus, mace and lotus. Kaushalya folded her hands and said, "Put this form aside, and play as a child plays, for that is what a mother loves." And the Lord became an infant and began to cry.

After this Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata, and Sumitra to two sons, Lakshmana and Shatrughna.

Ayodhya rejoices

As the news spread, the city danced. The lanes filled until it was hard to pass. Gandharvas sang, apsaras danced, flowers rained from the sky and the drums of the gods sounded. The king gave cows, gold and jewels to the brahmins and whatever they asked to the bards. The man who had waited his whole life to see the face of a son now had four boys in his courtyard.

The naming

When eleven days had passed, the family guru Vasishtha performed the naming ceremony. Kaushalya's son was named Ram, because he gave joy to all. Kaikeyi's son was called Bharata, and Sumitra's sons Lakshmana and Shatrughna.

Four brothers

The four boys played, ate and studied together. But from childhood everyone noticed one thing. Lakshmana would neither sleep nor eat without Ram. When Ram rode out, Lakshmana followed with his bow. Valmiki says that Lakshmana was like a second life of Ram, moving outside his body. In the same way Shatrughna attached himself to Bharata.

From Guru Vasishtha the four learned the Vedas and the science of archery, and how to manage elephants, horses and chariots. They were devoted to serving their father. Of the four, Ram shone the brightest and was the most modest. People's hearts filled when they looked at him.

In time the princes grew into youths. One day, as King Dasharatha sat with his ministers discussing their marriage, the doorkeeper came in and announced: "Maharaj, the great sage Vishwamitra is at the gate."