Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

ENDNOTES
1. Puthrakameshti Yagna/ Yaga:
Putra-kameshti (puthra-kaameshthi). Sacrifice prescribed for those
wanting to beget a son. (Glossary of the Vahinis)
Every man takes birth in this world to discharge three kinds of debt. The
first is the debt to God. The second is the debt to the Rishis (sages). The
third is the debt to one's parents. One’s body is derived from the flesh
and blood of the mother. How much sacrifice is involved in giving birth
to a child and rearing him with continuous care and love is beyond
description. The food you eat, the clothes you wear, the life you lead are
all the gift of your parents. It is one's primary duty to please one's
parents. Only thesis the debt to the parents discharged. Nor is that all.
The debt to the parents has to be repaid by acting properly and rendering
service to society.
It is for these reasons that Emperor Dasaratha paid his debt to the Divine
and through his Yagas and yajnas; he discharged his obligations to the
Rishis. But he was unable to discharge the Pithr-rna (debt to his
parents). He did show due reverence to them. But owing to the lack of a
worthy son capable of sustaining Dharma, he could not fully discharge
the obligations he owed to his parents. (SSS Vol.23 p. p.37-39)
Adore the parents, make them happy, give them contentment and joy by
paying loving attention and bestowing affectionate care. Another duty is
to propagate the line through children of pure character, high virtue and
noble endeavour. Dasaratha, the emperor of Ayodhya, desirous of paying
back his debt to his ancestors, had to perform the Puthrakameshti Yaga,
the Vedic sacrifice that can bless the aspirant with sons. This is the
Vasanta Kaala (spring time). This season comprises two months---
Madhu-Madhava and Mesha-Rishabha. Mesha is the most glory-filled
month in the entire year. It was in the Vasanta season that Dasaratha
released the sacrificial horse so that it may wander freely over the
continent along an unhinderable course, and it was in the same month
that it returned unopposed to Ayodhya. The Puthrakameshti Yaga also
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