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perform
yagas.
The location and
erection of the sacrificial platform had to
be attended to in detail strictly according
to prescribed rules. There were experts
whose guidance was sought in arranging
things.
It meant the building of a new camp-
city, capable of accommodating tens of
thousands and providing hospitality and
entertainment
for
the
invitees
who
included the princes and sages of the land.
In short, yagas in those days were
something like our present-day State-
sponsored
big
scale
conferences
and
exhibitions.
When all arrangements were complete
the ceremonies were set in motion strictly
as enjoined by the Shastras.
Contemporaneously with the yaga in
Ayodhya, there was a conference of the
Devas in heaven. The Devas complained
to Lord Brahma that Ravana, king of the
demons, drunk with the power acquired
by the boon granted to him by Brahma,
was causing them untold misery and
hardship. They represented to Brahma: "It
is beyond our capacity to subdue, conquer
or kill Ravana. In the security of your
boon, he has grown wicked and insolent
and ill-treats all, even women. His desire
is to dethrone Indra. You are our only
refuge and it is for you to devise a method
by which Ravana can be slain and his
despotism ended."
Brahma knew that he had granted to
Ravana the boon prayed for by him that
he should be invulnerable and invincible
against Devas, Asuras, Gandharvas and
other such beings. In his arrogance,
Ravana did not care to ask for security
against mankind. As Brahma revealed this
fateful omission all the Gods rejoiced and
turned to Vishnu.
Absolutely surrendering themselves to
Hari, the Devas begged him to be born as
a man and put an end to Ravana and his
atrocities. Hari agreed and assured the
Devas that he would be born as four sons
of
King
Dasaratha
who
was
then
performing a sacrifice for progeny. As the
ghee was poured into the fire and the
flames shot up to meet it, from out of the
flames came a majestic figure, resplendent
like the noonday sun, holding a bowl of
gold.
Calling King Dasaratha by his name,
the figure said: "The Devas are pleased
with you and are answering your prayer.
Here is payasam sent by the gods for your
wives. You will be blessed with sons if
they drink this divine beverage." With joy
unbounded, Dasaratha received the bowl
as he would receive a child and distributed
the payasam to his three wives, Kausalya,
Sumitra and Kaikeyi.
He asked Kausalya to drink a half of
the payasam and he gave a half of what
remained to Sumitra. Half of what was
then lift was drunk by Kaikeyi, and what
remained was given to Sumitra again.
Dasaratha's wives were happy, even as a
beggar
suddenly
coming
upon
buried
treasure. And in due course all of them
were expectant mothers.
2. SAGE VISWAMITRA
In course of time, Dasaratha's sons
were born Rama of Kausalya and Bharata
of Kaikeyi. Sumitra gave birth to twins,
Lakshmana and Satrughna. She had drunk
the divine payasam twice.
In