Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Thatho Yagna Sampathey Thu
Rithunam Sath Samathyayu:
Thatha: Cha Dwadhashey Masey
Chaithrey Navamikey Thithau ||
Nakshathrey Adithi Dhaivathye Sva
Uccha Sanastheshu Panchashu
Graheshu Karkatey Lagne Vakpatha
Indhuna Saha ||
Prodhyamaney Jagannatham
Sarvaloka Namaskritham
Kausalya Anjanayath Ramam Sarva
Lakshna Samyutham ||
Vishno: Ardham Mahabhagam Puthram
Ikshvaku Nandanam
Lohithaksham Mahabhahum Raktha
Oshtam Dhundhubi Swanam
The celestials were highly
pleased with the offerings made by King Dasaratha in the sacrificial fire and
returned to their abodes. Eventually King
Dasaratha along with his wives returned to their Kingdom of Ayodhya accompanied
by numerous guides, assistants after the successful completion of Ashwamedha
Yaga and Puthra Kameshti Yaga. The
prominent Kings who were present on the occasion were extremely delightful and
returned to their Kingdom after paying obeisance to Sage Vashishta, the associates
of the Kings were happy to receive fine clothes as gifts. The procession of Vedic scholars and King Dasaratha
along with his wives entered the city of Ayodhya accompanied by Sage
Rishyashrunga and his wife Shantha, King Romapada and the entourage of him. The remaining months King Dasaratha was
completely absorbed in the pleasing memory of the birth of their children.
The six seasons have passed in
the twelfth month, on the ninth day of the month Chaithra, with the birth star
Punarvasu and Aditi as the presiding deity of the star, the five planets such
as Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus were in highest of the positions. On that auspicious day, Kousalya gave birth
to a son with all divine features like lotus-eyes, long arms, pink colored lips,
voice of drumbeat. Rama who was a
personification of Lord Vishnu was adored by the three worlds was born in the
Ikshvaku Dynasty. Kousalya shone in the
brilliance of her son just like Aditi who once stood out with her son Lord
Indra, King of Lords. Kaikeyi gave birth
to Bharatha who has possessed all the virtues and valor of Rama was born with
the birth star Pushya. Sumithra gave
birth to two sons namely Lakshman and Shathrugna with the birth star Ashlesha. Thus, the four divine children born to King Dasaratha
were virtuous and valorous with attractive physical features. The celestial Gandharvas & Apasaras were
singing and dancing in a state of ecstasy, there was reverberation of divine
instruments like drum-beat, deities showered flowers and it was the day of
grand festivity for the people of Ayodhya.
The streets of Ayodha filled with numerous dancers and singers and the
celebration was at its peak. King
Dasaratha profusely offered affluence to the performers; Brahmins received
abundance of money and cow as alms.
After eleven days of birth, Sage Vashishta performed the naming ceremony
of the children, the elder one was named Rama, Kaikeyi’s son was named
Bharatha, and Sumithra’s sons were named Lakshman and Shathrugna respectively. In this way, King Dasaratha offered abundance
of wealth to the Brahmin, valuable gifts to the people of Ayodhya and mass
feast on the various auspicious occasions of his children like naming ceremony,
Annaprasam/feeding the child with grains for the first time, hair removal of
the child for the first time and Brahmopadesham/sacred thread ceremony etc..
Rama gained a special place like Lord Brahma in the heart of his father
and the people of Ayodhya as well. These
four children were scholars in Veda & sacred scriptures, virtuous, valorous,
highly intellectuals and equally interested in the welfare of their subjects. Rama surpassed with his brilliance, honesty
and compassion and dear to the world as the cool breeze of moon. Rama excelled in the art of archery, chariot
fighting, horse fighting, elephant fighting and he was remarkably obedient servant
of his father. Lakshman was amiable and
follower of his elder brother from childhood, he devoted his entire life in the
service of Rama and remained in the shadow of Rama. The love and compassion shared between the
two brothers was marvelous, Rama does not eat or sleep without his younger
brother Lakshman, when Rama leave for hunting expedition it was Lakshman rush
behind him with bow and arrow.
Shathrugna was dearer to Bharatha and all his elder brothers, Bharatha
protected him as his life. King
Dasaratha was blissful like Lord Brahma and the deities in the heaven, watching
his sons grew more compassionate to each others with all those virtues. These children have profound knowledge in
Veda and Scriptures, gifted with abundance of propitious qualities and knowledge
in archery and armaments, they delightfully served their father. King
Dasaratha was desirous of performing marriage of their sons, discussed the
matter with the family priests and relatives. It was the moment; Sage Vishwamithra arrived
at the doorsteps of King Dasaratha. Sage
Vishwamithra spoke ‘Let the King Dasaratha be informed that I, son of Sage
Gadhi from Kushi dynasty has arrived to meet him’. The assistants were rushed to convey the
message to King Dasaratha, eventually King Dasaratha with the priests arrived
to receive Sage Vishwamithra with all honors like Lord Indra ceremoniously
greets Lord Brahma. Sage Vishwamithra
was received with great hospitality, enquired the welfare of the family of King
Dasaratha, well-being of the people of his Kingdom, treasures, friends and
relatives. Sage Vishwamithra enquired
about the performance of rituals and social works etc..Later he was greeted
Sage Vashishta and the sages assembled and enquired their well-being too. Sage Vishwamithra along with King Dasaratha, Sage
Vashishta and sages assembled were took their seats on the marvelous hall of
assembly. King Dasaratha was joyous at
the arrival of Sage Vishwamithra and spoke “I consider your arrival as mortals
attaining ambrosia/nectar, downpour in a dry land, a barren father begetting a
progeny through his chaste wife, regaining the lost treasures; I heartily
welcome you to the great city of Ayodhya. Oh! Illustrious Brahmin I am delightful
at your arrival and you are the most eligible recipient to receive your
choicest object from me. I am fortunate
to have your presence and my life is flourished, oh! Rajarishi, I venerate you,
for all that have attained through your severe penances and became the supreme
saint. Though your arrival was surprising
and shocking to me, but I have attained the devoutness of a pilgrimage from
your divine appearance. I would like to
hear your purpose of arrival and I would treat it as a blessing to serve you.” Thus, the righteous King Dasaratha gave a
humble speech which was pleasing to the ears as well the hearts of the people
assembled and Sage Vishwamithra as well.
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
