The method of performing the aśvamedha-yajña entails the release of a challenge-horse, which then wanders at will, accompanied by royal guards. While the horse roams the earth, all subordinate kings pay tribute to the emperor, or else show their insubordination by trying to capture it. If the challenge-horse return to the place of sacrifice without being captured, the asvamedha-yajña can be successfully performed. Thus it came to be that after wandering the earth for one full year, when the challenge-horse returned to Ayodhya, the sacrifice commenced.
Outside the city, a huge assembly had gathered in an area of tents and pavilions. There were kings and their queens, along with princes and princesses, who had come from all corners of the earth, bringing with them costly gifts for the emperor. At the center were the sacrificial fires, surrounded by brahmanas engaged in chanting Vedic mantras.
Mahārāja Dasaratha's eldest queen, mother Kausalya, circumambulated the challenge-horse, which was tied to a sacrificial stake. Then, with three strokes of a sword, she severed the horse's head, as prescribed by the injunctions of sastra. Ṛsyaśrnga[ Chief priest] offered the fat of the dead horse into the sacrificial fire and Mahārāja Dasaratha was made to inhale the fumes, because this act frees the performer from all sinful reactions. After this, the assisting priests offered the various limbs of the horse into the sacrificial fire. In this way, the three- day aśvamedha-yajña came to a successful conclusion.
In previous ages, such sacrifices were performed, and it was assured that the sacrificed animal would instantly achieve a place in heaven. The success of such sacrifices depended upon the prowess of the brahmanas, who could chant the mantras perfectly, and who could invite the demigods to accept their offerings, as a result of their unparalleled piety. (The Sanskrit word used here is "deva", which refers to the controlling gods within this universe. We will refer to them as demigods, indicating that they are not on the level of the Supreme Lord.) Today, such qualified brahmanas no longer exist and so the performance of these sacrifices is forbidden.
At the conclusion of the sacrifice, Mahārāja Dasaratha gave away the entire earth to the four chief priests, but the brāhmaṇas returned the gift, saying, "O King, because we are devoted to the study of the Vedas and the performance of austerities, we have no interest in ruling a kingdom. Please give us gifts that are useful to us, such as cows or gold." Rsyasrnga approached Mahārāja Dasaratha and said,
"My dear King, you will surely receive four glorious sons, but propose that a separate sacrifice, known as the putrești-yajña, be performed for that purpose." Mahārāja Dasaratha readily agreed, and the sacrifice commenced soon thereafter.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the demigods approached Lord Brahma and said, "O Grandsire, because of your benedictions, Rāvana has become so powerful that he is harassing everyone at will. Even we cannot subdue the wicked Raksasa, and so we beg you to devise some means for his destruction." Lord Brahma paused for a moment to think. He then said, "At the time of receiving benedictions, Ravana did not bother to ask for immunity from death at the hands of human beings, for he considered them to be too insignificant."
While Brahma was considering the matter carefully, Lord Vişņu suddenly appeared there, riding upon His carrier, Garuda. With the effulgence of many suns, the Lord appeared in His four-armed form, dressed in bright saffron-colored garments and carrying in His hands a conch shell, chakra and lotus flower.
The demigods worshiped Lord Visņu with great reverence and then said, "O master of the universe, please come to our rescue by dividing Yourself into four. Become the sons of Mahārāja Dasaratha and then arrange for the destruction of Rāvana."
Lord Visnu replied, "Rest assured that you no longer have need to fear. I will incarnate as the sons of Mahārāja Dasaratha and rule the earth for 11,000 years, after vanquishing your
enemy, the king of the Raksasas. After saying this, Lord Visnu mysteriously vanished from view, much to the astonishment of the demigods.
Meanwhile, from the sacrificial fire of Mahārāja Dasaratha appeared an exceptional being of dark complexion, possessing all auspicious bodily features. This person appeared to be unlimitedly powerful, he was decorated with transcendental ornaments, and in his hands he carried a large golden pot containing a sweet made from rice and milk. That divine personality announced to Mahārāja Dasaratha, "I am a messenger of Lord Visnu."
With hands joined in supplication, Mahārāja Dasaratha said, "O Visnu-düta [ Messenger] please order me. What service can I render?" The servant of Lord Visnu said, "This pot of sweet rice is the reward for your two sacrificial performances. Give portions to your three wives. Through them you will be able to beget four sons who will forever perpetuate your fame." Mahārāja Dasaratha gratefully accepted the pot of prasādam, and after he reverentially circumambulated the Vişnu-dūta, that servant of Lord Visņu suddenly disappeared from view. Without wasting time, the king quickly went and fed the prasādam to his wives, for he was extremely eager to have sons.
First Mahārāja Dasaratha gave half the sweet rice to his eldest wife, Queen Kausalyä. Then he gave Queen Sumitra one- fourth and Queen Kaikeyi, his youngest wife, one-eighth. After some deliberation, the king gave the remaining one-eighth to Queen Sumitra, and all the women were overjoyed, for they were confident they would soon become mothers. With great eagerness they ate their shares of the prasadam, and in few months each could feel the presence of divine offspring within her womb. When Mahārāja Dasaratha understood that his wives were pregnant, he also became exceedingly pleased.