Prayer for a Progeny -Birth of Sri Rama
In the midst of munificence, there was a subtle sorrow,
Started within the kingdom and grew by the morrow.
‘After this emperor, who could be the King?
No prince to rule the people’ was a sad song to sing.
Dasaratha was worried, as he was the husband of the three,
Kousalya, Sumitra, and his favorite Kaikeyee.
All three were beauties of fitting royal descent,
Their craving for motherhood was obviously present.
How bright is the light of the Sun for the blind?
When the heart is filled with sorrow, how strong could be the mind?
Though a king with a wealth of prowess, fame, and royal attire,
The sovereign’s mundane yearning was like a poor man’s desire.
Dasaratha told his plight in the Palace hall,
The kingdom’s preceptor Vashishta most respected by all,
Discussed with the sages and the learned counsel,
Decided to bring the expert to make a divine call.
‘Rishyasringa’, the ‘Unicorn’, son of Jamadagni, the sage,
The only one with the power to do the rituals and to pray,
Was beseeched to sanctify the palace with divine deeds,
He prayed for progeny and gifted ambrosia to the queens.
The ambrosia with the powers helped the women conceive,
It was half consumed by Kousalya, then the other queens.
Some leftover sacred nectar was given to Sumitra,
They became expectant mothers of a Prince in Ayodya.
Time rolled on and grew the joy of expectations,
Eager was the King and the people of the nation.
Planets in the sky took to different locations,
Five of them into the best of constellations.
Zodiacal positions were apt to beget a baby,
The queens indicated that they were almost ready.
Benign was the ninth ascending day of May,
Rama was born of Kousalya on such a golden day.
With Rama came the ‘Prince of Ayodhya’,
Long grief was gone and joy-filled Dasaratha.
Subsequently, Kaikeyee gave birth to Baratha,
Lakshmana and Shatrugna were born of Sumitra.
The learned noted all the cosmic constellations,
Probed and declared each planet’s position.
Ensured the benevolence of Rama’s time of birth,
And of Baratha, Lakshmana, and Shatrugna’s worth.
Joy was all around in the city and downtown,
Every house celebrated by giving sweets all around.
Music filled the air and jubilance was found,
Every house floor found girls dancing round and round.
Thus the regal lineage had the Prince born,
The one to later glorify the kingdom and the crown.
Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Ram
Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Ram
From Sri Ramayana by
Srirangam Ramesh