People were very happy under the reign of Emperor Dasharatha, in the great city of Ayodhya. The Emperor was well-versed in the Vedas, well-respected by all the other kings and the people, a virtuous leader, having performed many Vedic rituals for the well-being of the people, ruled the world like how Indra ruled the heaven from his capital Amaravati. In Ayodhya, all the people were exuberant yet virtuous, and all the scholars were variously learned ones, all the people were satisfied with their own riches and had no greed, following only the path of dharma. It was said that there were none who was less learnt in the Vedas and none could be found anywhere in Ayodhya who did not possess the knowledge of the six ancillaries of Vedas (i.e. Vedangas). Needless to say, neither were there any criminals in the great city of Ayodhya. That city was well protected by the great Emperor Dasharatha of the Ikshwaku dynasty.
The Emperor was a great ruler because he surrounded himself with ministers of upright character, who made the rulership meaningful with their virtuous, skilful and efficient administration. The eight ministers who were involved in the works of the king and the kingdom were Dhristi, Jayanta, Vijaya, Suraashtra, Raashtravardhana, Akopa, Dharmapaala and Sumantra. The two venerable saints of eminence were religious ministers, responsible for spearheading all Vedic rituals conducted by the emperor, were Vashishta and Vamadeva. Suyajna, Jabaali, Kaashyapa, Gautama, Maarkandeya, Deerghaayu and Kaatyayana were the scholarly Brahmanas acting as religious ministers. All the ministers were well versed in scriptures, followed dharma and were skilful in performing their duties. They were efficient in administration of the kingdom. In the company of such ministers, Emperor Dasharatha obtained brilliance and shone like the rising sun.
For such an effectual and virtuously great-souled Dasharatha, he was burning to beget a dynasty-enriching son, who would be able to continue on his righteous path of ruling the great city of Ayodhya. For he knew, ruler Ayodhya was a great responsibility to bear and only the best of the best-minded person can handle such a heavy burden.
The emperor gathered all his ministers and religious scholars, and expressed the thoughts of his tumultuous mind, “I am unable to quench my longing to beget children, for I have no sons… for that reason, I wish to perform Aswamedha (Vedic horse ritual)… as enshrined in the scriptures… let this contemplation of mine be well thought of…” All the ministers and scholars were happy and urged King Dasharatha to release the ritual-horse, for the beginning of the Aswamedha ritual.
Having heard about the king’s desire to perform a Vedic ritual for begetting sons, Sumantra, the charioteer and one of the ministers of King Dasharatha, shared some words in confidence with the king. He began by reminding the king of the visit by Sage Sanatkumara, who once foretold the arrival of Dasharatha’s sons. The great sage narrated about Sage Kashyapa, who had a son known as Vibhaandaka and his son who was the renowned Sage Rishyasringa. It was said that Rishyasringa grew up in forests, abiding by his father and following celibacy. Spending all his time in the forests, maintaining celibacy and learning all the Vedic rituals from his father, Rishyasringa was possessed of great power from his tapas.
One day, the king of the city called Anga, Romapaada, was facing a devastating famine in that country. Upon his ministers’ advice, King Romapaada decided to invited Rishyasringa to perform a Vedic ritual to eradicate the famine in his country. However, all Vedic rituals can only be performed by a householder (i.e. grahasta). Rishyasringa being a celibate, could not perform the Vedic ritual. Hence, King Romapaada decided to give his daughter Shanta in marriage to Rishyasringa, so that the Vedic ritual could be performed. Sumantra narrated this story to King Dasharatha, and reminded him that since Shanta was his daughter given in adoption to King Romapaada, that Rishyasringa was also his son-in-law. King Dasharatha should invite Rishyasringa and Shanta to perform the Vedic ritual necessary for begetting sons.
King Dasharatha, on hearing that the Sage Sanatkumara had once foretold that his sons will be begotten through Rishyasringa, quickly proceeded to the Anga city, and met with King Romapaada. He put forth his desire to beget sons and humbly requested King Romapaada to send his son-in-law Rishyasringa to perform the Vedic ritual. To Sage Rishyasringa, Dasharatha invited him with both his palms adjoined, to conduct the ritual for progeny and even for his heavenly abodes, which is depended on begetting sons.
It was the prediction of Sage Sanatkumara that, “There will be four sons to king Dasharatha that about with valour, enrich dynasty’s reputation and they will be renowned among all beings.”
(To be continued…)