Sargam [Chapter]: 12 Aśvamedha Sacrifice Planning [In consultation with sage Riṣyaśriṇga and several other sages, a decision was taken to perform the Aśvamedha sacrifice and arrangements were made to perform this great sacrifice.] After spending a long charming time like this, the pretty spring season arrived and the desire to perform the fire sacrifice arose in the mind of the

Sargam [Chapter]: 13 Aśvamedha Sacrifice Arrangements [In consultation with Vaṣiṣṭha all arrangements for conducting the Aśvamedha sacrifice is being done.] After one year, spring came again and the valiant King Daśaratha, for begetting a son, entered the sacrificial pavilion to perform the Horse Sacrifice. 13.1 After saluting and worshipping the great Brahmin Vaṣiṣṭha, according to the prescribed procedure for begetting

Sargam [Chapter]: 14 Aśvamedha Sacrifice [Here all particulars of the Aśvamedha sacrifice is given. After conducting it, Daśaratha requests Riṣyaśriṇga to help him by rituals to get sons and he agrees.] After completion of one year, when the sacrificial horse has reached back to the sacrificial hall constructed on the northern side of Sarayu River, the ceremonies of the sacrifice

Sargam [Chapter]: 15 Puthreshti and Story of Rāvaṇa [Sage Riṣyaśriṇga starts the Putra Ishti according to Atharva Veda. Devas, who have assembled there, complain about the problems being created by Rāvaṇa due to his boon. Lord Brahma assures that he can be killed by a man and devas request Lord Vishnu to be born as four sons of Daśaratha.] That

Sargam [Chapter]: 16 Puthra Kameshti [Lord Vishnu agrees to the proposal. From the fire, a divine being emerges and gives a pot of Pāyasam and requests Daśaratha to distribute it among his wives. Kausalya gets half, Kaikeyi gets another portion and Sumatra gets two shares. After some time all the queens become pregnant.] Having been thus requested by the best

Sargam [Chapter]: 17 Creation of Monkeys [As per the instruction of Lord Brahma each of the Devas, Gandharvas as well as great sages created Monkeys to assist Lord Rāma in his task.] When Lord Vishnu decided to be born as the son to the great king, Lord Brahma, who had made himself, spoke these words to the devas: 17.1 "You

Sargam [Chapter]: 18 Daśaratha's Sons Birth and Education [Daśaratha bids farewell to all the guests including Riṣyaśriṇga. Rāma was born to Kausalya, Bhārata to Kaikeyi and Lakshmana and Śatrughna to Sumitrā. They are well educated in all Vedas as well as warfare. One day when Daśaratha was talking about the marriage of his sons, Sage Viśvāmitra comes to Ayodhyā. The

Sargam [Chapter]: 19 Viśvāmitra's Request [Sage Viśvāmitra says that he is troubled by Asuras who stop his Yagna. Since he cannot get angry nor curse them, he requests for assistance of Rāma.] Hearing the astonishing detail from the lion among kings, Sage Viśvāmitra with hairs standing erect on his body said: 19.1 "Oh tiger among kings, since you having been

Sargam [Chapter]: 20 Daśaratha's Reluctance [Daśaratha feels that Rāma is too young to oppose these great Rākṣasas. He requests the sage to take him along with the army. The sage gets very angry.] Having heard the words of Viśvāmitra, that great king, for a little time lost his senses, quickly regained and spoke as follows: 20.1 "My lotus eyed Rāma