In Cartoons | The story behind Ram Navami which celebrates the birth of King Dasharath's son
Rama was an incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana, the Sanskrit epic of 24,000 stanzas. Let's check out the story behind the celebration that is preceded by a continuous recital of the Ramayana for about a week.
Kosala dynasty of king Dasharath was very vast. And, the ageing Dasharath was not able to fulfil the routine duties of a king and administer the vast kingdom. He was worried that if he had no children, he would have no successor to the dynasty. He wanted the family lineage to continue.
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King Dasharath married three women - Kausalya, Sumitra, Kaikeyi - in succession hoping for progeny. But all the wives felt sad as they they couldn't give an heir apparent.
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The family needed to go through penance for King Dasharath to have children. Hence, Rishi Vashishta suggested that the family perform Putra Kamesthi yagna to get divine blessings for a son. He told the yagna would be beneficial to the king.
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The pudding was infused with the powers of Lord Vishnu who intended to be born as a human to get rid of the demon Ravana and all other rakshasas. Yagneshwar was directed to give the sweet porridge to King Dasharath who in turn had to serve it to his wives.
King Dasharath offered the sweet porridge to the three wives who in turn were blessed with four sons -- Rama to Kausalya, Bharath to Kaikeyi and Sumitra had twins in the form of Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
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The 9th day of the calendar has a significance for perfectness, stability and steadfastness. These qualities are required by a person to navigate the ocean of life.
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The three mothers were joyous as they were filled with abundant happiness in the company of their sons who were none other than the various forms of Lord Vishnu. Lakshmana was infused with the serpentine power of Adi Sesha. Bharath was infused with the divine conch of Lord Hari. Shatrughna was given the power of sword of Lord Vishnu. Lord Ram was the whole incarnate of Lord Vishnu himself.
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At the time the yagna was taking place, there was a request from various gods to Lord Hari to find out a solution for getting rid of the demon Ravana who had a boon from Lord Brahma that no power on earth would destroy him.
