||Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram||

Chapter -73 – Dhoha -72

 The birth of Lord Rama 

Sage Vashishta invited Rishi Rishyashringa and advised to perform Puthrakameshti Yaga/fire sacrifice to obtain virtuous offspring.  Thus a grand Yajja was conducted; offerings were made in the fire with intense devotion. As a result of the Yajja, the deity appeared from the fire with a gem decorated vessel of sweet porridge, it was reverentially received by King Dhasharatha.  The Agnideva pronounced “Oh! Rajan, you will have four children as advised by Maharishi Vashishta, Oh! Rajan, share the porridge with your wives as you wish.” Thus the Agnideva disappeared from the sight. King Dasaratha could not control his happiness, immediately called for his queens, Devi Kausalya received half of the porridge, the remaining portion was divided equal halves and given to Devi Kaikeyi and Devi Sumithra, later Devi Kaikeyi offered half of the portion to Devi Sumithra. In due course of time, all the queens were got pregnant with their child. The moment Lord Hari entered the womb of Devi Kaushalya, the whole city of Ayodhya witnessed auspicious omen, the three worlds felt fortunate and people were extremely happy, the country flourished with rich natural and mineral resources, prevailed an abundance of wealth and happiness all over the world. The Queens shone with lovely appearance, happiness, humility, in this way, the city of Ayodhya absorbed in happiness and prosperity.”

Thus, all the living and non-living things on the Earth lived in extreme bliss, was taking great pleasure in the upcoming birth of Lord Hari as the son of King Dhasharatha and Devi Kaushalya.  It was on an auspicious Vara, Lagna, Yoga, and Thithi and the position of the planets, it was on the divine month of Chaithra, Shuklapaksha, Navami Thithi and it was favorite Abhijeet Nakshatra as the birth star, it was on the mid-afternoon, it was neither too hot nor cold, it was an auspicious moment, the atmosphere was extremely pure, a cool breeze carrying the fragrances of freshly bloomed flowers, deities become delightful, and the saintly and ascetic people were in a state of bliss. The entire woods were filled with the marvelous flowers of various fragrances, the mountains were flourished with rich minerals and gems, the watercourses were serene carrying nectar-like waters.  Lord Bhrama and the deities understood that the birth of Lord Hari as Lord Rama has taken place already.  All the deities came down in their respective celestial vehicles beautifully decorated. The sky filled with the Gandharvas, Apsaras, and deities, showered flowers on the Earth, the sky has reverberated in the sounds of Dhundhubhi, Nagas, Sages, Rishis, and deities were eulogizing the supreme Lord Hari and returned to their respective abodes. Thus, the supreme Lord Jagannivasa who is the safest asylum of the Jeeva, Kripalu, most promising Lord and the compassionate Lord took birth as the son of Devi Kausalya on the Earth. His mesmerizing beauty kindled their hearts and enhanced the happiness of his mother. He was born with four arms wielded in Shankha Chakra Gadha and Padma, rain cloud complexioned, adorned in various precious ornaments, Kausthubha, Vanamala, Srivathsa, beautiful wide eyes resemble lotus flower petals.  Devi Kausalya with folded hands prayed to that magnificent child “ Oh! Anantha, how did I eulogize you? Veda and scriptures are incompetent to describe your virtues, Maya, and wisdom, you are beyond description, I have realized the Lakshmikantha who is the ocean of mercy, supreme bliss, store-house of virtues, was eulogized by Veda and Saintly men, favorite of ardent devotees, have born as a child to me. The Veda eulogizes that numerous Bhramanda exists in place of your bodily hairs. Oh! Prabhu, you have lived in my fetus, this legend would create confusion among the renounced souls.” Prabhu looked at his mother and listening to her knowledgeable words smiled at her affectionately. The Supreme Lord has to perform endless pastimes, and advised his mother to love him as her own child, Devi Kausalya replied “Oh! Prabhu, leave your divine form of Lord Hari, and assume the form of a child and engage in various pastimes that would make this mother supremely delightful.” The Supreme Lord, who is all-pervasive, immediately assumed the form of an infant and cried loudly.