The Ashwamedha yagya done by the Lord Rama for the victory of Ayodhya. The story of Ashwamedha yagya by Lord Rama is also mentioned in Padma Puran's Pathala Khanda. The idea of Ashwamedha yagya came to his Gurudev's mind on Lord Rama's birthday. On Lord Rama's birthday his Gurudev gave him blessings and said that a religious atmosphere will automatically arise wherever your name is mentioned.
During Lord Ram's reign, Ayodhya was very prosperous and everyone's house had enough money, cows and buffaloes. Ayodhya's minister told Lord rama,"But even though the people of Ayodhya had satisfactory wealth and happiness, they were miserable."Minister of the royal court of Ayodhya said Lord Rama that a king should always work for the welfare and the progress of the people of his kingdom;So that the people feel proud of the development of their state and the dynasty of their king. And The minister also said that "Where stability prevails, laxity spreads; and for life progress excitement is necessary and exultation is only achieved through festival celebrations are necessary to boost the morale of the people of Ayodhya.
The kings of Ayodhya have done many things and performed many sacrifices to increase the enthusiasm of these people.
After that Lord Rama thought that they have to done RAJSUYA YAGYA but his younger brother Bhart told about th disadvantage of RAJSUYA YAGYA and Lord Rama had no need to done the RAJSUYA YAGYA.
After the polite discussion of RAJSUYA YAGYA Bharat suggested that Lord Rama had to start the THE ASHWAMEDH YAGYA for the Prosperity and success of kingdom and dynasty of Ayodhya. Lord Rama describe the historical benefits of Ashwamedha yagya to all the royal courtiers. After that Lord Rama asked his Gurudev and requested to grant him permission of Ashwamedha yagya.Gurudev granted a permission of Ashwamedha yagya and said that Lord Rama is pure heart person and he is above sin and virtue and he said that he is totally agree with the Ashwamedha yagya.
From Ashwamedha Yagya, the importance of Raghukul and Aryakul will spread throughout the state and people will be filled with excitement and joy.
After that Lord Rama told his gurudev that he told the the beginning day and time of the Ashwamedha yagya.And Rishi Vasistha take an obligation of Ashwamedha yagya. Lord Rama and his brothers started the preparations of Ashwamedha yagya and invite all the respected people of Ayodhya and surrounding kingdoms. The news of Shri Ram's second marriage spread among the people and reached Maha Rishi Valmiki and he was deeply saddened to hear it.Mother Gautami told Mother Sita about the Ashwamedha Yagya and Lord Rama's second marriage, which makes Mother Sita so sad and The Ashwamedha yagya is impossible without a wife.
When Lord Rama came to know about the words of his second marriage he became too much angry and he refused the words of his second marriage. When Lord Rama refuses to remarry, Rishi Vasishta suggests a solution to become a golden idol of Mother Sita.
People liked Shri Ram's decision very much and everyone became very happy. His relatives and guests started coming to Shri Ram's court on his invitation for Ashwamedha yagya. Lord Sri Rama looks at the golden idol of Mother Sita and thanking rewards gave to the sculptor for his unique work.Preparations for Ashwamedha Yagya are started and Lord shri ram goes to the river to get water for Yagya. After that Ashwamedh yagya was started.
Shri Ram sits next to the golden idol of Mother Sita and starts the yagya.
The horse of Ashwamedha Yagya is worshiped and sent to roam in all four directions and Shatrughan is sent with it to protect the horse.
Shatrughan sets out with his horse to roam in all directions and hoist the banner of Lord Rama's name.The king of any kingdom he meets on the way bows down to him and surrenders.
After Mother Sita was sent away from Ayodhya by Rama, she lived in Sage Valmiki's ashram with her sons, Luv and Kush. The two boys grew up to be strong like their father, Rama.
After the yagya, a sacred white horse was adorned with jewels and garments and it was declared that this horse would be taken around to many kingdoms across the region. A declaration was hung around the horse's neck, which stated that if anyone caught the horse, they would have to fight with the soldiers accompanying the horse. Shatrughna was entrusted with the task of taking the horse.
One day, the horse was passing by Sage Valmiki's ashram. Seeing the horse, Luv and Kush decided to take it to the ashram.
While catching the horse, they noticed the declaration around its neck but were not in the least bit frightened. Soon, Shatrughna arrived with some soldiers and was furious to see that two young boys had caught the horse. He tried to persuade Luv and Kush to let the horse go but the boys were adamant and wanted to fight Satrughna's army.
After that Shatrughna tried to convince Luv and Kush for release horse but they didn't want to understand and they wanted the horse in any cost. After that Luv said to shatrughna that he wanted to fight with shri Ram's army. Then Luv made commander unconscious. After that Shatrughna again tried to convince them for leave the horse but again they didn't want to leave the horse and stubborn to fight with Sri Ram, A war begins between Shatrughna and Luv Kush and Luv Kush defeats and injured Shatrughna's army and Shatrughna in battle.
The news of Shatrughan's injury reaches Lakshmana and Bharata to Shri Ram and tells Shri Ram in all the details.Lakshmana takes the permission of Sri Rama and goes to fight Luv Kush.
Laxman goes in front of Luv and Kush and convinces him to release the horse but he does not agree and challenges Laxman to a fight. The war starts between Luv Kush and Laxman. Kush injures Laxman. Hearing the news of Laxman being injured, Bharat, Hanuman and the monkey king Sugriva go to fight with Luv and Kush after taking permission from Shri Ram. On reaching there, Hanuman learns that he is the son of Shri Ram and Mother Sita. Hanuman explains a lot to Luv and Kush, but Luv and Kush do not agree and insist on calling Shri Ram. The war starts between Bharat Luv Kush. Kush binds Hanuman ji with his power and injures Bharat and Sugriva. After getting this news, Shri Ram started fighting with Luv and Kush. Shri Ram persuades Luv and Kush to return the horse. Luv Kush doesn't understand despite Shri Ram's persuasion and challenges Shri Ram for a fight. But Rishi Valmiki comes and stops them and asks Luv Kush and Shri Ram not to fight. Luv Kush asks Rishi Valmiki the reason for catching the horse. Why did Kush leave Sita from Shri Ram, asks this question to Shri Ram, to which Shri Ram answers him. At the behest of sage Valmiki, Luv Kush releases the horse and frees everyone from Murcha.
After that in the ending process of Ashwamedh yagya according to rituals King has to sacrifice that Ashv for his kingdom; it means a king has to kill that horse for his kingdom, But Lord shri Ram is very pure heart and polite person that's why he find one solution and a golden horse was prepared by him and sacrifice (it means burn the Golden horse) on it and the gold of that golden horse was used for the welfare of the people of the state.
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