Episode Four: Conception By Fire
Welcome to the fourth episode of The Journey of Rama. If this is your first encounter with The Journey, please read Episode One first.
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And now, Episode Four!
“I have long wondered when you would come to me about this matter,” said Vashistha. “Did you think I was unaware of it?”
He and Dasharatha were still in the small temple on the palace grounds. Now they both sat on mats on the floor facing each other. The incense had extinguished itself, but its sweetness lingered in the air.
“Of course not, revered one. I viewed it as my problem to solve and a delicate subject. Frankly, I did not wish to bring it up with you.”
Vashistha was not as tall as the King, but in a sitting posture, Dasharatha felt like he was looking up at his preceptor. Vashistha smiled warmly. His beard and mustache covered his mouth, but his smile started from his eyes and was more than apparent. “My King,” Vashistha said, “you were embarrassed to discuss intimate matters with me. I am your Guru; there is no curtain between us. We have known each other since you were a boy and your father brought you to my ashram. Do you think I don’t know you now?”
Dasharatha looked into his teacher’s eyes. “Of course, Guru-ji. You taught me everything: how to pray, how to fight, how to use my senses, and how to meditate. You taught me about the gods, the stars, and the ways of our lands and people. And I studied you as well – how you treat others and yourself.”
“You were an excellent student. Of course, I studied you too, and I still do, Your Majesty.” Vashistha shifted on his mat. “Now, let us address the matter at hand.” Dasharatha nodded eagerly.
“Without an heir, the Solar Dynasty and your Raghu clan would end. You and your queens have not produced an heir. Have I defined the problem accurately?”
“Unfortunately, yes, revered one.”
“There is a benefit, King Dasharatha, to not getting what you want when you want it. Now you must turn to the Gods and ask for help.”
“I have prayed to the gods every day.”
“But you have not sacrificed. You have approached your chosen deities as a King rather than a supplicant. We will conduct the proper fire ceremony, the Putrakameshti Yajna, chanting the correct mantras and offering the appropriate oblations. We must summon the great Rishyashringa Muni to direct you. He knows more about this ceremony than any other man.”
Dasharatha grew excited. “Will it work?”
Vashistha looked into the King’s eyes and said nothing.
“How soon can the yagna be performed?”
Vashistha sighed, “I need to visit you more often, my King. Right now, I need your library. I will draw the astrological charts to predict the most auspicious day for the ceremony.”
Drawing the charts did not take the sage long; the palace library contained the classic astrological texts he needed to reference. Vashistha summoned the King and told him they should schedule the fire ceremony three weeks from that very day.
“It shall be done as you say,” said Dasharatha.
“One more thing, Your Majesty. You must perform the yagna indoors.”
The King raised an eyebrow. “Is this necessary? We have always held these ceremonies outdoors.”
“It is a practical necessity, my King.” Vashistha cleared his throat. “Although most demonic activity has been in the Southern kingdoms, the Asuras delight in interrupting fire ceremonies. Most of the forest sages have taken to caves for their yagnas.”
“The Asuras would not dare invade my palace grounds!”
“I must disagree. Your Majesty, Ravana’s might grows stronger by the day. Asuras, particularly the Rakshasa clan, control or influence most cities and kingdoms south of Kishkinda. Since these demons have the power of flight, they travel everywhere to work their mischief and terror. Ravana and his Rakshasas respect nothing and no one, and even the Devas have ceded much power to him.”
“He has not entered Avadh?” Dasharatha seemed worried.
“Not yet, my King. But this is a ceremony of paramount significance, and I suggest we take every precaution.”
“Very well, my Master. We can build the kund, the firepit, in the center of the great hall.”
And so the preparations were made.
Three weeks later, Dasharatha sat before the firepit clothed in a traditional garment, a pitambar. He was flanked by the sages Vashistha and Rishyashringa Muni, who were dressed in orange robes and had their matted locks piled in spirals on their heads. The three queens, in their finery, sat behind their husband. They all performed the purification rituals, then the monarch started the fire, and the sages began chanting the prescribed mantras while the King made the offerings and chanted along. The ceremony went on for hours.
Dasharatha was drenched in sweat, although the sages did not appear affected by the heat. The tiny hairs of the King’s right forearm had singed away, but he did not notice as he continued making the offerings and chanting. Vashistha spooned clarified butter into the flames, which kept the smoke from becoming overwhelming.
Dasharatha’s faith in his Guru’s words was complete. He did not doubt that the ceremony would have the desired effect, but he began to wonder how this ritual would produce a son. Suddenly, a cloud of sparks rose and swirled above the center of the fire. The embers churned and twirled faster and faster until they took the form of Agni Dev, the god of fire! Agni Dev stood shining lustrous with his feet in the flames, holding a golden bowl in his hands.
The fire god held the bowl out toward Dasharatha, who looked to his Guru. Vashistha nodded, and Dasharatha took the bowl, then bowed to Agni Dev. He looked into the vessel, which held sweet milk and rice blended into a pudding called kheer.
Agni Dev spoke, commanding the King to give half the pudding to Queen Kausalya. He poured half the sweet into her right hand, and she ate. The fire god then told Dasharatha to give half the remainder to Queen Kaikeyi; he did so, and she ate as well. The last command was for Kausalya and Kaikeyi to divide the remaining quarter, and each feed half of that to Queen Sumitra. As soon as Sumitra had consumed both portions, Agni Dev vanished in embers. King Dasharatha, overwhelmed with gratitude and joy, began to weep. Vashistha touched him on the shoulder, reminding him that they needed to complete the ceremony.
Within the month, the royal physician had declared that all three Queens were with child.
News of the impending births spread not only through the Kingdom but even to Devaloka, the world of the Gods, and Vaikunth, home of Lord Vishnu, where he prepared to be born in the palace of Ayodhya.