Episode Six: The Birth, The Revelation, The Naming
It was the ninth day of the brightening fortnight of the month of Chaitra when the four princes were born.
Welcome to the sixth episode of The Journey of Rama. If this is your first encounter with The Journey, please read Episode One first.
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It was the ninth day of the brightening fortnight of the month of Chaitra when the four princes were born. It was Spring, and the entire world seemed in bloom. Every tree blossomed, and the people of Ayodhya danced in the streets to the music of a hundred drums.
Although none of the humans in Ayodhya were aware of it, the Gods were all in attendance in the skies above, rejoicing at the birth of Lord Vishnu on earth. The celestial musicians played on their instruments as the singers chanted praises. The heavens were in celebration, and it has been said that flowers rained down from the clouds to cover the city of Ayodhya.
Inside the palace, the mood was equally festive. The King wished to visit the nursery and see his new sons, but the nursemaids would not hear of having the babies or the mothers disturbed. Each queen was in her chamber quietly holding her offspring.
In Queen Kausalya’s chamber, the baby stirred so much that Kausalya placed him in his cradle and was about to rock him when suddenly the child disappeared! In his place, standing before the cradle, was Lord Vishnu himself.
His body was dark and beautiful. In his four arms, he held a conch shell, a chakra disc, a club, and a lotus in full bloom. His crown was blinding in its glory, and his smile charmed Kausalya’s heart.
Kausalya recognized him immediately and prostrated herself at the Lord’s feet. “Oh, infinite Lord, how can I praise You?” she cried. “The ocean of mercy and bliss is revealing himself to me! You who hold universes within yourself – you lived in my womb?”
Lord Vishnu sat and told Kausalya why he had come and then told her to ask for a boon, that as he was her son, he would grant her wish. Kausalya replied, “There is only one thing I want, Lord. Give up this form and return to being my baby. There can be nothing so dear to a mother’s heart.”
Hearing Kausalya’s words, Lord Vishnu became a newborn infant and began to cry for his mother.
Meanwhile, King Dasharatha was in his prayer room finishing his prayers and the offerings associated with the birth of sons. Vashistha was on his way to the palace, and the King was almost swooning with joy. The priests of Ayodhya had assembled and were chanting in the great hall. Musicians played in the streets, and Sumant and the other ministers distributed sweets and other gifts to the citizens surrounding the royal residence.
On the twelfth day after the princes’ birth, Vashistha arrived to conduct the naming ceremony. As custom commanded, the King approached his preceptor, knelt to touch the Guru’s feet, then asked, “Holy Sir, please assign appropriate names to my offspring.”
“Their names are many,” said the Guru, “and I will declare them in your great hall in one hour.”
Dasharatha knew that the naming had to be at an auspicious time and that his teacher must have determined the hour before he arrived. “As you have said, so shall it be,” answered the King, who then turned to a servant. “Bring food for the Guru!”
Vashistha waved his hand. “Thank you, Your Majesty, but we will eat after the naming. Until then, I must fast.”
Dasharatha nodded and dismissed the servant. Then he led the way to the great hall.
Guru Vashistha sat on his mat in the place of honor, facing East, with several of his devotees behind him. The King sat facing his preceptor, and Minister Sumant sat at the monarch’s left. No one faced South, as it was considered inauspicious to look in the direction of the God of Death’s abode. The three queens sat close to Vashistha, the babies sleeping in their arms.
Vashistha smiled at Kausalya. “This eldest boy of yours is the embodiment of joy. He will bring comfort to all, and his name is Rama.” He turned to Kaikeyi, looked at her son, and said, “This second son is the support of the kingdom and the world. He shall be called Bharat.” The Guru beamed at Sumitra’s twins. He reached out a hand toward them. “This prince, called Shatrugna, will be the destroyer of all enemies with merely a thought, and his twin is nobility itself. He will be the beloved of his brother Rama and the protector of all. He is Lakshman.”
All the mothers sighed with happiness. The King clapped his hands and laughed, “So be it! Thank you, my Guru!”