The story of the birth of Rama is one of the most interesting and fascinating portions of the Ramayana. Even today the birth of Rama is celebrated as Ramnavami across India and some other countries. On this auspicious day, people worship Lord Rama, read verses from the Ramayana, and indulge in fasting.

Do you know the story of the birth of Ram? What were the circumstances under which he was born? Read on to know more about the birth of Lord Shri Ram.

The Birth of Rama

The King who ruled over the Kosala kingdom with Ayodhya as its capital was none other than the great Dashratha, a valiant man who had fought alongside the Gods (Devas) against the Demons (Asuras). Such was the greatness of this King that he was compared to Indra and Kubera.

King Dashratha was a just and good ruler and his subjects were happy under his rule. However there was one thing that troubled the King, he had no progeny. “Who shall take over my mantle when I am gone?” thought King Dashratha.

The Birth of Rama And Ravana’s Destiny

The Devas were in a quandary, they rushed to Lord Brahma, with their problem.

“Ravana, the Demon King of Lanka has become a real menace and we cannot do anything as he is protected by your boon.” The Devas reminded Brahma of the boon that he had granted to Ravana. The boon ensured that Ravana could not be killed by a Deva, Asura, Gandharva, or other such beings. They complained to Brahma about Ravana’s misdeeds and how he was insulting the sages and not even sparing women.

Brahma listened to the woes of the Devas with composure. He then revealed to them, that in his arrogance, Ravana had failed to seek protection from an attack by a Man!

The Devas were overjoyed listening to this revelation from Brahma and turned to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu assured them that he would incarnate on earth and put an end to Ravana and his tyrannies.

“I shall be born as 4 sons of the King Dashratha, who is right now performing a Yagna for begetting progeny,” said Lord Vishnu.

The Birth of Rama And The Great Sacrifice

King Dasharatha along with his three wives, Kausalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi, was performing a sacrifice (Yaga), hoping that this would result in their betting children, who would ensure the continuation of their dynasty.

As mantras were recited and ghee poured into the sacrificial fire as an oblation to the Gods. The flames rose high, and suddenly in the middle of the flames materialized a shining figure with a golden bowl in his hand. He addressed King Dasharatha, saying, “The Gods are pleased with your sacrifice and will answer your prayers.”

The figure that shone like the Sun, then gave the golden bowl to the king, saying, “This is divine Payasam (Kheer) which when eaten by your wives, shall lead to their conceiving, and you shall be blessed with sons.”

King Dashratha was overwhelmed with happiness and accepted the golden bowl with gratitude. He then gave the bowl to his eldest wife Kausalya and asked her to drink half of the contents which she did. The bowl was then given to Sumitra with the same instruction, she too drank half of the contents.

The bowl was then given to King Dasharatha’s youngest wife Kaikeyi, with the same instruction. She too drank half of what remained in the bowl and the remaining Payasam was handed back to Sumitra, who emptied the contents.

The Birth of Rama – Lord Vishnu Incarnates On Earth

In due course the queens of King Dashratha became pregnant and his sons were born on earth. Rama was born to Kausalya, and Bharata to Kaikeyi. Sumitra who had partaken the divine payasam twice gave birth to the twins, Lakshmana and Shatrughna.

This then was the story of the birth of Rama. He was an avatar of Lord Vishnu who was born on earth for the sole purpose of destruction of Ravana and his evil ways.

Some believe that as Kausalya had drunk half of the divine Payasam, Rama was half Vishnu. However, these are mere mathematical conjectures. As the famous Shanti mantra from the Isha Vasya Upanishad says,

” OM Poornam-adah Poornam-idam Poornaat Poornam-Udachyate,
Poornasya Poornam-Aadaaya
Poornam-Eva-Avashishyate
OM Shanti Shanti Shanti Hi.”

“What is whole, this is whole; what has
come out of the whole is also whole.
When the whole is taken out of the whole,
the whole still remains whole.”

Let us rejoice that Lord Vishnu, himself descended on earth in the form of Lord Rama and showed the world the path of Dharma.

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