Dasharatha is the son of Aja of Kosala and Indumati. Aja was the 38th king from the Solar Dynasty and decent from sun god Suyra.
King Dasharatha performed an Ashwamedha, a horse sacrifice, so the gods would grant him an heir that could take over him. He had three wives at the time- the first wife was Kausalya, middle wife was Kaikeyi, and Sumitra.
King Dasharatha performed an Ashwamedha, a horse sacrifice, so the gods would grant him an heir that could take over him. He had three wives at the time- the first wife was Kausalya, middle wife was Kaikeyi, and Sumitra.
During the month of Choitro, a horse was let loose in the
night and a brahmin accompanied it for a full year then the animal returned to
the kingdom. There were rajahs that came to the ceremony, and rajahs are known
to be people like the prince or ruler. The ceremony was at Sarayu river located
at the north bank.
Once the ceremony started and the fire was lit at the altar,
his first wife, Kaushalya slew the horse with a sword while the brahmins were
changing mantra. Brahmins are similar to a priest or protector. Throughout the whole
night, Dasharatha wives were next to the horse to finish off the ceremony. Fleshes
of it were burned in the fire and Dasharatha received gifts and treasure from
the brahmins.
In the end, Dasharatha were givens son. Sumitra gave births
to twins. Kausalya and Kaikeyi each bearing one son.
PDE Ramayana: Dasharatha's Sons, Donald A. Mackenzie, Link
Dasaratha's aswamedha, with Queen Kausalya (image source)
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