Dashrath's Yagya and the Birth of the Four Brothers

On the banks of the river Sarayu stood the city of Ayodhya: beautiful, rich and happy. Its king was Dashrath, a mighty ruler of the Sun dynasty, the line of Ikshvaku. He had three queens: Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra. The kingdom had everything, but the king carried a deep sorrow. He had no children.

Dashrath consulted his family guru Vasishtha and his ministers. All agreed that he should perform a yagya for the gift of sons. The sage Rishyashring was invited with great respect. First an Ashwamedh yagya was held, and then Rishyashring performed the Putrakameshti yagya. Meanwhile the gods, troubled by Ravan's cruelty, prayed to Lord Vishnu, and Vishnu promised to be born as a human.

From the sacred fire of the yagya rose a radiant divine being. In his hands was a golden vessel of kheer. He said, ‘O king, give this kheer to your queens, and sons will be born in your home.’ Dashrath shared the kheer among his three queens. Sumitra received two portions.

On the ninth day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra, Shri Ram was born to Mother Kaushalya. This day is celebrated today as Ram Navami. Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharat, and Sumitra to the twins Lakshman and Shatrughna. Drums sounded across Ayodhya, the streets were decorated, and the whole city was filled with joy.

Guru Vasishtha gave the four boys their names. The brothers played together, studied together, and learned the Vedas and archery at the guru's ashram. From childhood Lakshman stayed by Ram like his shadow, and Shatrughna stayed with Bharat. Ram was the eldest, yet the most humble. His parents, his guru and the people loved him more than their own lives.