THE BIRTH OF RAMA.

THEBIRTH OF RAMA.AYODHYA was a beautiful well-planned city,protected by its storng forts and moants. the ruler of kosala was KING DASARTHAof the solar dynasty. he was a great king who cared deeply for the welfare of his subjects. the people of kosala were extremelyhappy under dasaratha's ruleand lived cintented lives.king dasaratha had three wives-KAUSALYA,SUMITRA, AND KAIKEYI. though dasaratha loved all his wives dearly, he was specially found of his youngest gueen,kaikey.but in the midst of their happiness, was a deep sorrow-they had no children.so dasaratha wants the advice of sage vasishta and his ministers.'' ogreat sage iam worring that there will be no son to inhoerit my throne. what can i do?''please give me your advice!''the sage ''o king !we all advice you to perform a' yaaga' for progeny to continue your illustrious line!''''please tell me ,who will conduct this yaaga?asked the king.''the great sage rishyashringa should be brought to ayodhya for the 'yaaga',sage vasishta replied.so, preparations for yaaga began in ayodhya.at that time all the devas held a conference in swargaloka.''the rakshshsa ravana is growing more power ful with the passing of each dayand is a menace not only to us ,devas ,but to all mankind as well!we must ask lord brahma for help!''they all went to satyaloka to see the creator.''o lord brahma! please can you save us fromthe wickedrakshasa ravana?'' they prayed with folded hands. ''o davas! i am totally helpless in this regad as ravana per formed severe'tapas' to optain o boon from me whichwould protect him devas, gandharvas and asuras'',said brahma. he thought froma moment and went on,'' but in his supreme arrogance, ravana did not ask for protectionfrom mankind! so we must ask lord vishnu to help us!'' lord brahma and the devas went to vaikunthamto see lord vishnu.they told him aboutravana and the boon he had obtainedfrom brahma. '' please help us somehow''!they begged.vishnu smiledat them. ''castaway your fears at once!the good king dasaratha is performing a 'YAAGA'for sons now .i will be born as his son, RAMA,and will slay the ravana''. the devas rejoiced greatly and went away.king dasaratha perform the 'yaga'with the help of sage rishyashringa.inthe yaga the god of fire, agnideva.came from the yaga flames.and gave the special 'payasam' and said ask your wives .''he gave the bowel to king dasaratha and sent.dasaratha accepted the bowl withgreat joy.he asked his queen'sto have the payasam.they did . soonfour sons were born to the queens of king dasaratha.kausalya gavebirth to rama(who was the incarnation),bharathawas born to kaikeyi,sumitra became the mother of the twins,lakshmana,and shatruhna(as she had partaken of the divine ''payasam''two times.)the royal palace came alive with the sound ofchildish laughter and play.king dasaratha loved all his four sons.but was specially found of rama,who was the eldest. rama was the apple of his eye and he could not bear to be apart from him for evena short time!