In the last post, we had continued to see the able administration, ways of governing, the ministers of King Dasaratha in Ayodhya. We also came to know about the discontent of Dasaratha for not having sons to continue his dynasty. King Dasaratha sets on the mission to overcome his discontent, after coming to know about the story told by Sumantra, that he will father four renowned sons. Let us further know about the background, purpose of the birth of Rama through these five episodes.
1. The first duty of Dasaratha to beget sons is to escort Rishyasringa into Ayodhya and make him the chief-priest of the sacrificial rites for the cause.
2. Secondly, after sage Rishyasringa presides over the Asvamedha yaga, the king needs to make elaborate arrangements for it to be held and complete without any hindrances.
3. Thirdly, the growing menace and atrocities committed by ten-headed king of Rakshasas, Ravana and the need to subdue him.
4. Fourth, Lord Vishnu to enter a human form through the four sons of Dasaratha and kill Ravana.
5. The evolution of the support system to the Lord himself, to aid Him in the mission and restore dharma.
In this post, let us know about each of these points, revolving around the birth of Rama.
Escorting Rishyasringa to Ayodhya:
With the permission of Vasishta, Dasaratha, accompanied by his queens and courtiers, left for Angada. Crossing many rivers and forests he found the brilliantly magnetic Brahmin, Rishyasringa glowing like the flames of a newborn fire, sitting next to Romapada, king of Angada.
Overwhelmed with joy at the sight of king Dasaratha, who was the best of his friends, Romapada welcomed him with great warmth and reverence. Aware of the bond of friendship between the two, Rshyasringa also paid special tributes and offered an even more elaborate reception. Having enjoyed the wonderful hospitality for a few days, king Dasaratha wished to return so that he could commence the austerities. Romapada bade him an affectionate and touching farewell. Eager and excited, Dasaratha set out on the journey back to his kingdom.
He dispatched messengers ahead, to herald their arrival and to decorate the city. Hearing of the home-coming of the royal entourage, the people of Ayodhya jubilantly involved in carrying out the king's commands. Streets were sprinkled with scented water, incense was burned and flags hoisted. Soon Dasaratha with Rshyasringa preceding him made a grand and pompous entry into a beautifully bedecked Ayodhya, to the blare of conches and the beating of drums. The citizens were delighted to behold the brilliant sage who was taken into the palace to be given a traditional and fitting welcome.
Dasaratha was happy because he was able to bring Rshyasringa. The royal ladies beholding Shanta were happy. Her beauty fascinated them and they treated her with worshipful affection honored by all. Shanta too was happy and she along with Rshyasringa dwelt in Ayodhya for some time.
Arrangements for Asvamedha, Putrakameshti Yaga:
Time moved on, days passed and when spring arrived, beautiful and charming, the longing to perform the sacrifice arose in Dasaratha. Bowing his head in reverence to that Brahmin, whose brilliance was celestial, Dasaratha requested him to commence the rituals and to be the chief presiding priest. Rshyasringa accepted the honor and Sumantra was summoned to gather all those masters of the Vedas - Suyajna, Vamadeva, Jabali and Kasyapa, as well as the family priest Vasishta and other learned Brahmins. Dasaratha paid homage to the venerable gathering, his words ringing with grace and righteousness. He said his yearning for sons was so intense that he was robbed of all happiness. For that reason he wished to perform the Asvamedha sacrifice as ordained so that, his desires may be fulfilled. The exalted gathering commended Dasaratha saying that he would be blessed with four sons of great renown.
Rshysringa and the other masters directed king Dasaratha to procure articles for the sacrifice and release the horse under the protection of warriors. The king was pleased and asked his ministers to fulfill the requirements of his preceptors. A sacrificial pavilion was to be built on the northern banks of the Sarayu River, according to the methods prescribed. Auspicious rites were to be performed as ordained, for the uninterrupted completion of the sacrifice. The ministers taking leave of the king promised to carry out the commands.
A year passed and one more spring arrived. Having completed the preliminary rituals, Dasaratha went forth to the sacrificial pavilion to commence the Asvamedha. There he paid obeisance to that great Brahmin, Vasishta to whom he said, "You are my friend and supreme guide, the responsibility of the great ceremony and the warding off of any impediment to any aspect of the sacrifice can be borne by you alone." Vasishta assured Dasaratha that all would be well and done according to his wishes.
Promising success, Vasishta began preparations for the mammoth event of great piety. He sent for eminent, experienced Brahmins, trained in the performance of such sacrifices and well versed in the execution of ritual related matters. He spoke to noble architects of fame, experienced in the art of construction, to artisans of integrity, to carpenters, astrologers, dancers and actors. Highly intellectual and scholarly men, with immense knowledge in the ritual texts were also interviewed. Vasishta told them to inaugurate the sacrificial rites, according to the code laid. He also ordered thousands of bricks to be brought for the construction of royal dwellings for kings with every comfort for visiting kings and many more fine houses for the brahmins. All were not only to be built, but also stocked with every possible food and drink. Shelter was also to be put up for the people of Ayodhya, furnished with everything that one could desire. Even people from small towns and countryside were to be given the best of food with great respect. All classes of society were to be accorded the same warm welcome. Neither greed, lust nor anger was to hinder hospitality.
Sculptors, priests and artisans engaged in discharging the duties of the sacrifice were given special treatment according to rank. The final word of Vasishta was that every one should fill their hearts with love and affection, attending to everything and omitting nothing. The gathering promised to fulfill his wishes and pay attention to every detail.
Once again Sumantra was summoned. Vasishta asked him, to invite all the kings of the earth, as well as the Kshatriyas, Brahmins, Vaisya and Sudras. He was to escort the illustrious Janaka, king of Mithila and an ally of Dasaratha, as also the aged and exceedingly noble father-in-law of Dasaratha, the king of Kekaya. Romapada, king of Angada, an intimate friend of Ayodhya was also to be escorted. Kings of all the regions in the Eastern and Southern directions and of Sindhu, Sauvera and Saurashtra, including all the allies, along with their retinues, families and relations were to be ushered into the domain. Sumantra put orders issued by Vasishta into action without delay. He dispatched emissaries to kings and set forth to honor and accompany the great Janaka, king of Mithila. Though pleased to hear that all preparations were completed Vasishta once again reminded all about absolute courtesy. He warned that without due respect gifts should never be given, as any gift given without love and with contempt would result in the downfall of the donor.
For several days and nights, the rulers of the earth arrived in Ayodhya, bringing with them gifts for Dasaratha. Happy with his accomplishments Vasishta informed his king that he had extended due hospitality to all the noble lords who were given a royal welcome. He now wanted Dasaratha to proceed to the sacrificial pavilion, where the priests in charge fully immersed in their duties, were awaiting the king. As advised by the family priest and Rshyasringa, the lord of Ayodhya entered the hallowed sacrificial ground, on the auspicious day at the auspicious moment. The beauty and grandeur of it all was awesome and made the beholders wonder as if the whole thing had emerged by the sheer will and imagination of king Dasaratha. Amidst this splendor and auspiciousness commenced the great Asvamedha yaga according to the shastras, presided over by Rshyasringa the greatest of priests.
After the return of the released horse at the end of a year the Asvamedha yaga was begun on the Northern bank of the river Sarayu. Rshyasringa the chief of the priests assisted by many more venerable Brahmins, with Dasaratha seated in the midst of the most honorable of kings commenced the Asvamedha.Priests whose knowledge of vedas was profound performed every ritual impeccably according to Kalpasutra.
In the hallowed grounds of the Asvamedha no one was hungry or thirsty. People were persuaded to take the best of foods and given the best of clothes. Mounds of food were kept ready for the visiting multitudes from cities and countryside. Brahmins, ascetics, Sudras, women, children and even the sick though satiated could not stop eating the exotic foods. Amazed at the unequaled hospitality, people sang praise of Dasaratha. Brahmins built the sacrificial fireplace to the size and manner prescribed in Shastras. Even the bricks used for the construction of fireplaces were made of a special size as per Shastras. The kinds of wood used for the posts where the sacrificial animals were to be secured were also according to prescribed tradition. The sacrificial altar erected in the shape of an eagle dazzled like burnished gold appearing to be a gold winged eagle. The Asvamedha, a three-day ritual, needed eighteen fireplaces, which was thrice as many as normal. When at the end of the yaga king Dasaratha, magnanimous to the core, gave away the entire earth to the presiding priests, those noble souls refused to accept that kind of magnanimity saying that the king alone who was pure and cleansed was the supreme ruler and protector of the earth. Once again Dasaratha outdid himself by giving away a million cows, a hundred million pieces of gold and four times that amount in silver. When he prostrated to Rshyasringa for performing and overseeing the Asvamedha yaga, the sage in turn blessed Dasaratha with four sons who would perpetuate his dynasty.
After pondering for a while in spiritual contemplation, Rshyasringa master of the vedas said, "I shall perform Putrakameshti Yaga for you to beget sons with the aid of mantras as in Atharvasirasi".
Growing Menace of Ravana:
When the ritual commenced, the gods, gandharvas, all the spiritually accomplished sages and Brahma the creator assembled to receive their share of the ritual offerings as was the custom. At this time, the assembly of celestials told Brahma of their troubles. "Oh Lord! A rakshasa by name Ravana armed with the boon granted by you is tormenting us. His diabolic powers leave us powerless. Unable to chastise him and honoring the boon granted by you, we bear the havoc that he creates. With arrogance born of that power, the evil demon makes the three worlds tremble with fear. Rendered invincible, he spares neither asuras, Brahmins or gandharvas. We dread him. Even the Sun shines subdued, the winds dare not to blow and the restless oceans still at his appearance".
Lord Vishnu to enter a human form to Kill Ravana:
Brahma said that it was true Ravana was armed with a boon worded in such a way that it rendered him virtually deathless. In asking for the boon he had sought immunity from every celestial and from every creature born on earth but of man, there was no mention. In his insolence he felt humiliated to seek immunity from a man because of their paltry strength which in his disdain he even refused to recognize. "So Ravana will die and die in the hands of man. His death has already been ordained". Even as the celestials were rejoicing, Lord Vishnu attired in yellow bearing conch, mace and discus appeared in all his glory. The divine gathering prostrated to that god of gods entreating him to be born as human and rid the world of Ravana. Allaying their fears and bowing to their wishes, Vishnu promised not only to slay Ravana but also his sons and his kin. He pondered for a moment as to where he should be born? He then decided to divide himself into four parts to be born as Dasaratha's four sons. "Do that" urged the celestials, "and return soon to Vaikunta, that permanent abode of yours.
Lord Vishnu, the omniscient knower of all, yet wanting to be courteous and graceful, asked the gods "Is there a strategy to kill that lord of the rakshasas who causes so much misery to the sages?" And they chorused ". Assume the body of a human and kill him. The boon of Brahma renders him invincible to all the gods and to all creatures. Ravana, in his contempt for men, brushed them aside as mere mortals unworthy of mention and sought no immunity from them. So his death lies in the hands of man alone". After the gods and sages bade a worshipful farewell to Vishnu, he too vanished to take on his next incarnation as the son of Dasaratha, who at that very moment was conducting the Putreyshti yagna for the sake of progeny.
Supporting Lord in his Mission:
At the imminent incarnation of Lord Visnu as heir to king Dasaratha, Brahma gathered all the Devas and said "Vishnu true to his word is valiantly going forth as man into the world of men for our cause. So we must provide forces to be with him and serve him. Create powerful sons whose bodies will have the might of lions and the speed of winds. Noble, intelligent, knowledgeable and equal in valor they should be indestructible. Resistant to hunger and thirst like those who have partaken of the nectar of immortality, those invincible beings should be blessed with magical skills to take any form at will. I have already created Jambavan, the best among the breed of bears. Ordered by Brahma, the devas created the sons in the form of monkeys. Great Siddhas, Vidyadharas and Uragas produced heroic sons and wood-dwellers who used stones, trees and their own teeth and nails as weapons. Indra created Vali the king of vanaras and the Sun created Sugriva. Brihaspathi brought forth wise Tara, Kubera was responsible for Gandamadana, Viswakarma created Nala and the fire god begot Nila. The Aswini gods created mainda and Dvivida, Varuna and Parjanya created Susena and Sarabha respectively. Vayu produced the invincible Hanuman; whose courage, wisdom and strength matched his diamond hard body, while his speed matched that of Garuda. Thousands of warriors who could shatter the earth with their feet, make mountains shudder and torment the very oceans across which they could leap appeared. Their booming voices as they roamed the forests, mountains along river banks and seashores made flying binds plummet in fright. The earth teemed with those who wanted to assist Rama. They came into existence lofty as mountain peaks with fearful bodies and matchless strength.
Birth of Rama:
Meanwhile from the flames of the rituals, sacrificial fires which have been presided over by Dasharatha, rose a glowing form whose incomparable radiance pulsated with power and might. He wore a robe of black and red, his voice was like the booming of drums, and his hair and beard glossy like the lion's mane and his gait like that of an arrogant tiger. Tall as a mountain peak, he blazed like the Sun. In his arms he held a vessel crafted of fine gold covered with a silver lid. A vessel so ethereal and so exquisite it seemed to have just materialized from space and was filled with celestial porridge. Looking at Dasaratha he said, "My lord, know that I have come here sent by Prajapathi Brahma". Dasaratha greeted him with folded palms saying "Lord! Welcome and what may I do for you? The divine form said, "Take this porridge prepared by the gods. Give it to your wives who will bear you sons".
Receiving the celestial porridge Dasaratha was ecstatic, he felt like a pauper would at the sudden discovery of a great treasure. With his mission achieved, that splendid apparition, who had risen from the flames disappeared. Dasaratha entered the palace ringing with great joy. The king directly went to the queen's quarters and offered them the porridge. He gave half of it to Kausalya and a quarter to Sumithra. Of the remaining quarter he gave one half to Kaikeyi. After thinking for a while he gave the other half to Sumithra. The grateful queens were extremely happy, and boundless was Dasaratha's joy when the queens became pregnant.
The ritual consecrations of the Asvamedha yaga ended. The gods received their share of the havis and returned to their worlds, the happy lords and rulers of the earth went back to their countries while Dasaratha returned to Ayodhya with his queens and entourage. Rishyasringa and Shantha took leave of the king who now awaited the birth of his sons. Six seasons passed after the completion of rituals. In the twelfth month of Chaitra, on the ninth day of the new moon, in Kartaka lagna presided by Aditi as devata, when the star Punarvasu was in ascendance with the five planets Sun, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus, Kausalya gave birth to an illustrious son Rama. She beheld him the pride of the Ikshvakus, with great joy. Blessed with every sign of divinity, he was one half of Vishnu.
Kaikeyi's son Bharata whose purity of mind was flawless was born under the next star Pushya, which was ascendant in the Meena lagna. To Sumithra were born the equally impeccable Lakshmana and Shatrughna in the Karkataka lagna when the star Aslesha appeared.These incarnations of Vishnu as the four sons of Dasaratha radiated effulgence like the stars of Purvabhadra and Uttarabhadra. At that auspicious moment the palace reverberated with joy. Gandharvas sang, apsaras danced, the kettle drums of heaven boomed and the skies rained flowers. The streets of Ayodhya thronged and reverberated with the sound of music, revelry and joy as the citizens celebrated the birth of the divine princes. Twelve days after the birth of the princes, Vasishta performed appropriate rituals and named the first born of princes Rama, Kaikeyi's son as Bharata and Sumithra's twins as Lakshmana and Shatrughna. The brahmins were feted, feasted and showered with gifts and the people of Ayodhya came in droves from towns and country to share the joy of the palace.
This concludes the chapters 11,12,13,14,15,16,17 and a part of 18. We learnt everything forming the background and the reason for the birth of Rama at the most opportune time. He is one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu himself in human form and going to display an absolute form of humanity for the benefit of the world. Let us continue to learn more about the Lord's human-dwelling and how he restored dharma in the world he lived and very far into the future as well.
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