King Daśaratha's Putreṣṭi yajna for children

King Daśaratha of Ayodhyā longed for children. After much thought and prayer, the sage Ṛśyaśṛṅga, master of the Vedas, spoke gently:

"I shall perform the Putreṣṭi yajña for you. With the power of sacred mantras, you shall be blessed with sons."

As the sacrificial rite began, divine beings gathered from every realm. Gods, gandharvas, siddhas, and even Brahmā himself arrived to receive their share of the offerings.

At that very moment, in the sacrificial fire of Daśaratha's yajña, a wondrous being arose. His radiance shone like lightning. His robe flashed red and black. His beard glowed like a lion's mane, and his voice rumbled like thunder. In his arms he carried a golden vessel with a silver lid, filled with heavenly payasa, a divine porridge.

He said, "O King Daśaratha, I come from Brahmā. Take this sacred porridge. Give it to your queens. Through them, you shall receive sons."

Daśaratha received the vessel with folded palms. Joy filled his heart like a thirsty land receiving rain. The celestial being vanished back into the flames.

Daśaratha hurried to the palace. He distributed the porridge with care:

• Half to Kausalyā
• One quarter to Sumitrā
• Of the remaining quarter, half to Kaikeyī
• And the last portion again to Sumitrā

The queens accepted the offering with reverence. Happiness warmed their hearts. In time, all three became pregnant, and Daśaratha rejoiced, for the promise of sons had begun to unfold.