King Dasharatha of the Solar dynasty ruled Ayodhya righteously. He had three queens, Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra, but for a long time he had no children.
On the advice of Guru Vasishtha, Sage Shringi performed the Putrakameshti sacrifice for the birth of sons. Agni, the fire god, rose from the sacrificial fire carrying a divine sweet rice pudding, which the king shared among his three queens.
At noon on the ninth day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, Lord Rama was born to Mother Kaushalya. Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata, and Sumitra to Lakshmana and Shatrughna. This holy day is celebrated as Ram Navami.
All four brothers studied the Vedas, the scriptures and archery at Guru Vasishtha's ashram. Lakshmana stayed by Shri Rama's side like his shadow, and Bharata and Shatrughna shared the same loving bond.