Putrakameshti Yaga of Dasharatha

The Putrakameshti Yaga of Dasharatha is a significant event in Ramayana, It was performed after the Ashwamedha Yaga. Dasharatha specifically prayed for progeny and that's when Rishyasringa performed Putrakameshti. It was during Putrakameshti that the atrocities by Ravana was discussed by the Devas.

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Knowledge Bank

What is Abhava-yoga?

Abhava-yoga is that state in which one perceives an all illuminating void as the essence of oneself. The mind becomes extinct in this state. For someone in the state of Abhava-yoga, the world will be devoid of any objects. Ref: Kurma-Purana II.11.6, Linga-Purana II.55.14, Shiva-Purana VII.2.37.10.

Why is Ahalya called Panchakanya?

Even though Indra seduced her and her husband Gautama Maharshi cursed, she didn’t lose her purity. Indra came disguised as Gautama. She didn’t realize this when she had a relationship with Indra. That is why she is considered as a sacred virgin or one among the pancha kanyas.

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Who among the following was killed by Rama?

Tataka

Surpanakha

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Transcript
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Transcript
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Now is the time to give dakshina to the purohitas.
In Ashwamedha yaga, the king has to give away his entire kingdom as dakshina.
Because he is going to go to Swarga.
Like how he handed over the responsibility of the queens earlier.
The kingdom is divided into four parts: east, west, south, and north.
East is given to the Rigvedi purohita, the Hota.
West is given to the Yajurvedi purohita, the Adhwaryu.
North is given to Udgata, the Samavedi purohita.
And south is given to Brahma, the senior most among the purohitas.
But then after receiving it, the purohitas say: We are engaged in chanting the Vedas. We don't have the capability to be rulers. We don't have administrative skills. So, please take back the land and give us a little something in its place.
We have no use for land.
Give us gems or gold or cows.
Give us just the value of the land.
Dasharatha gave the purohitas one million cows, then 10 crores of gold coins and 40 crores of silver coins.
The result sought is not small.
The dakshina also should be proportionate to that.
Purohitas expressed satisfaction.
Dasharatha offered dakshina to those who had come to watch the yaga also.
A particular superior grade of gold called Jaambuanada, 1 crore gold coins of Jaamboonada.
Then someone asked for the precious ornament that Dasharatha was wearing on his hand, studded with invaluable gemstones.
He gave it away.
Then they all formally blessed him with Veda mantras.
That all his past sins causing obstacles in begetting progeny should go away.
Dasharatha in all humility kept his head to the ground while receiving the blessings.
Then he approached Rishyasringa and said: My kula should continue, I should have children.
Rishyasringa said, yes it will happen.
Four sons will be born to you.
Then Rishyasringa said I will do a Putrakameshti for you, there are specific mantras for this specified in the Atharva Shiras. Ishti means yaga.
I will do it for you.
Devas, Gandharvas, Siddhas, Rishis they were all invoked, they all came down to the Ahswamedha yagavedi to receive their own shares of offerings in the Putreshti.
They addressed Brahmadeva.
This is the first time the mention of Ravana's atrocities comes in Ramayana.