Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam

Balakanda Chapter 8

"King decides to perform Yaga for obtaining children"

With Sanskrit text in Devanagari , Telugu and Kannada


तस्यत्वेवं प्रभावस्य धर्मज्ञस्य महात्मनः
सुतार्थं तप्यमानस्य नाशीद्वंशकरः सुतः ॥

"That virtuous , powerful and great king Dasaratha was desolate since he did not have children who will prolong his lineage".

बालकांड
अष्टः सर्गः

That virtuous , powerful and great king Dasaratha was desolate since he did not have children who will prolong his lineage

Then king thought why not perform a Asvametha yaga for obtaining children. After consulting all his experienced ministers he came to the firm conclusion to perform the sacrifice. Then he asked Sumantra the senior minister to bring all the priests including his teachers for further consultations.

Then Sumantra went immediately and brought all those and they are well versed in Vedas. Those included Suyagnya, Vaamadeva, Jabali, Kasyapa and the chief priest Vashista along with several other venerable brahmins. Having duly honored them , King Dasaratha spoke with words which are meanigful and follow virtuous path.

King Dasaratha said "I am not at peace with my mind ever thinking about a son, hence I would like to perform the Asvmedha yaga. The Yaga should be performed as prescribed in the Sastras. You may please see how my desire can be accomplished"

Then Sage Vashista and other venerable Brahmins acclaimed the proposal put forwarded by the King himself and said "well said well said ". Being pleased they spoke to the king as follows ;" O! king get all the materials required for the Yaga . Let the horse for the Yaga be released. The thought you have for obtaining progeny is indeed very proper . You will certainly achieve the object of obtaining progeny "

Hearing those words of the venerable Brahmins the king was delighted and moved to tears. Then he spoke to his ministers in the following manner.

The King Dasaratha said ," Please arrange for all the materials required for the Yaga as instructed by venerable priests. Let the Yaga horse be released. The Yaga horse will be followed by the Rishis performing the yaga and will be protected by competent warriors. Prepare the site for performing the Yaga on the northern shore of the Sarayu river. Please have the protective rites be performed to ward off the evils who may create the obstructions to the Yaga . If it were so easy perform the Yaga and if no obstacle are there then many other kings would have performed this Yaga . There will be intelligent Rakshasas who look for faults in conducting the yaga and they will use the same to put obstacles in the performance of the Yaga. If the yaga is successfully obstructed the performer of the yaga will be destroyrd . You are all experts in performance. Hence please ensure that the Yaga started by us is a success in all respects ending with a successful completion".

All the ministers too were delighted to hear the instructions of the king and responded by saying that they will be following the kings instructions. The venerable Brahmains too blessed the king and after taking his permission went to their respective residences.

After saying the goodbyes to the venerable Brahmins , the king told the ministers to organize all meterials required for the Yaga as instructed by the Rishis. Then having instructed thus King too entered his residence

Then that king went his queens and told them as follows : " I want to perform yaga for obtaing the progeny : You too get ready for performing the Yaga ! "

Hearing those joyful words the queens faces were lit bright like the blooming lotuses after the winter season.

Thus ends chapter 8 of Balakanda in Maharshi Valmiki's Ramayana.

||Om tat sat ||

तासां तेनाति कांतेन वचने सुवर्चसाम्।
मुखपद्मान्यशोभंत पद्मानिव हिमात्यये ॥

"Hearing those joyful words the queens faces were lit bright like the blooming lotuses after the winter season".

|| om tat sat ||