Dear God, Give Us Only Male Children

Abstract

From May 2, 1992, for one full week the town of Cochin in Kerala will witness the re-enactment of a historical event. The previous performance is said to have been orchestrated by King Dashrath a few thousand years ago. ‘Puthrakamesthi Yagnya’, according to the Valmiki Ramayana, was performed by Dashrath, under the instructions of Rishyashringe Rishi, to help him beget sons. During the Yagnya, offerings were made to Agni, amidst chanting of Mantras from the Atharvaveda. At the end of the Yagnya, a luminous person from ‘Prajapita Loka’ appeared from within the ‘Yogavedi’ holding in his hand a golden plate containing ‘Payas’. The ‘Payas’ prepared specially by the Gods was eaten by the three queens of Dashrath. This resulted in the birth of Rama and his brothers.