Ayodhya and the Yajna of King Dasharatha

On the bank of the river Saryu lay a rich and contented country called Kosala. Its capital was Ayodhya, founded by Manu himself. The city was twelve yojanas long and three wide. Its broad royal roads were sprinkled with water and strewn with flowers every day. It had tall mansions, gardens, an army of elephants and horses, and a deep moat all around. Valmiki says that no one there was miserly, no one was unlettered, and no one went without earrings.

Over this city ruled King Dasharatha of the Ikshvaku line, learned in the Vedas, far-sighted and loved by his people. Eight able ministers served him, of whom Sumantra was the chief, and Vasishtha and Vamadeva were his gurus. He had three queens: Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi.

The one thing missing

There was a thorn in this happiness. The king was growing old and had no child. One day he said to his ministers and teachers, "Without a son I have no peace. I wish to perform the Ashwamedha sacrifice."

Sumantra told him privately of an old prophecy: "I have heard that if Sage Rishyashringa conducts the rite, sons will surely be born to you." Dasharatha went himself to the land of Anga and brought Rishyashringa to Ayodhya with honour. The sacrificial ground was laid out on the northern bank of the Saryu. For a year the horse roamed, then the Ashwamedha was performed, and after it Rishyashringa began the Putreshti, the rite for the birth of sons.

The plea of the gods

At that very time the gods went to Brahma. Ravana, king of Lanka, was tormenting the three worlds. He had won from Brahma a boon that no god, demon, yaksha or gandharva could kill him. Man he thought so insignificant that he had not asked protection from him at all. "Then his death will come at the hands of a man," said Brahma. All of them prayed to Bhagwan Vishnu, and Vishnu gave his word: "I will be born as a man in the house of Dasharatha."

The divine payasam

Out of the sacrificial fire rose a radiant being. In his hands was a vessel of gold with a silver lid, full of divine payasam, a sweet dish of rice and milk. "King," he said, "this was prepared by the gods. Give it to your queens, and you will have sons."

Dasharatha was as happy as a poor man who has found treasure. He gave half the payasam to Kaushalya. Half of what remained he gave to Sumitra. Of what was left, half went to Kaikeyi, and the last portion he gave again to Sumitra. That is why Sumitra bore two sons.

Meanwhile, at Brahma's word, the gods sent portions of themselves to earth as vanaras and bears, so that they could help Ram when the time came. From Indra came Vali, from the Sun came Sugriva, and from the Wind came Hanuman.

The sacrifice was complete. The guests departed. Ayodhya began to wait.