King Dasharatha of Ayodhya was a perfect ruler, but he lived in deep sorrow because he had no sons to continue the solar dynasty. On the advice of his guru, Sage Vasistha, he invited the great sage Rishyashringa to perform the Putrakameshti Yajna.

As the holy mantras vibrated through the air, a divine being emerged from the sacrificial fire carrying a bowl of celestial Kheer. Dasharatha distributed this pudding among his three queens. Kausalya and Kaikeyi received half each, and they both shared a portion with Sumitra. This divine Prasad was the seed that brought the Supreme Lord and His expansions into the human world.