April 26 - Sargas 11 and 12 of Balakanda.
Sumantra's disclosure of the sage Sanatkumara's ancient prophesy that Dasharatha will beget sons upon being blessed by Sage Rishyashringa delights the king immeasurably. It so happens that Princess Shanta, given by Romapada in marriage to Rishyashringa, was indeed the daughter of Dasharatha whom he had long back given in adoption to the childless Romapada.
Dasharatha gets permission from Sage Vasishtha and loses no time in proceeding to Angadesha.
अभिचक्राम तं देशं यत्र वै मुनिपुङ्गवः।
आसाद्य तं द्विजश्रेष्ठं रोमपादसमीपगम् ॥
ऋषिपुत्रं ददर्शादौ दीप्यमानमिवानलम् ।
ततो राजा यथान्यायं पूजां चक्रे विशेषतः ॥
Dasharatha with his retinue reached Romapada's capital where the sage Rishyashringa lived with princess Shanta. The king at once met the sage who was brilliant like the sacred fire. He offered the sage all respects as per due custom.
Then king Dasharatha requests Romapada to send his daughter and son in law to Ayodhya for the purpose of the Yajna.
उवाच वचनं विप्रं गच्छ त्वं सह भार्यया।
ऋषिपुत्रः प्रतिश्रुत्य तथेत्याह नृपं तदा ॥
Romapada told Sage Rishyashringa to travel with his wife to Ayodhya. The sage acquiesced.
Dasharatha ensured that his staff made elaborate arrangements for a grand reception upon their arrival in Ayodhya.
धूपितं सिक्तसंमृष्टं पताकाभिरलङ्कृतम् ।
ततः प्रहृष्टः पौरास्ते श्रुत्वा राजानमागतम् ॥
The city's streets were washed clean, it was decorated with festoons, flags, and perfumes and the citizens gave a warm welcome.
ऋष्यशृङ्गपुरोगाश्च प्रत्यूचुर्नृपतिं तदा।
संभाराः संभ्रयन्तां ते तुरगश्च विमुच्यताम् ॥
सरय्वाश्चोत्तरे तीरे यज्ञभूमिर्विधीयताम् ॥
सर्वथा प्राप्स्यसे पुत्रांश्चतुरोऽमितविक्रमान्।
यस्य ते धार्मिकी बुद्धिरियं पुत्रार्थमागता ॥
The sages, led by Rishyashringa, then instructed the king thus:
Let all the paraphernalia be gathered for the Yajna. Let the ritual horse be properly released for his advent. (The horse wanders around freely over a large territory, duly escorted. That area will be claimed as a part of the kingdom unless other kings challenge the claim. This Ashvamedha sacrifice is therefore generally performed only by kings who have undisputed territories under their reign).
Let the appropriate ground for the Yajna be set up on the northern bank of Sarayu river.
Oh king, for which reason you have embarked on this righteous endeavour of the Yajna for progeny, do know that you shall surely beget four sons, all limitlessly valorous.
***
We see that there is rapid progress in the fortunes of king Dasharatha, and the stage is set for the Yajna.
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
