Sacrifice prescribed for those wanting to beget a son. (Glossary for the Vahinis)

Dasharatha., the emperor of Ayodhya, desirous of paying back his debt to his ancestors, had to perform the Putrakameshti Yaga, the Vedic sacrifice that can bless the aspirant with sons. This is the Vasanta Kaala (spring time). This season comprises two months –Madhu-Madhava and Mesha-Rishabha. Mesha is the most glory-filled month in the entire year. It was in the Vasanta season that Dasharatha released the sacrificial horse so that it may wander freely over the continent along an unhinderable course, and it was in the same month that it returned unopposed to Ayodhya. The Putrakameshti also commenced in Vasanta, and the four sons – Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna – were born in Vasanta. This is the reason why the Ugadi is acclaimed as the inaugural day of the Vasanta Navaratri (the first nine nights of the spring season) culminating with the Rama Navami (the day on which Rama was born).

Yuga means in era. This day is called not Samvatsaradi, New Year day, but Ugadi, the first day of a New Era. The era indicated is the Dharma-Yuga or the Rama-Yuga, for, Rama is identified as the very embodiment of Dharma (righteousness) : Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmah. The prime duty, of everyone who participates in this celebration, therefore, is to adhere to Dharma, to support Dharma and to foster Dharma. (SSS Vol.13, pp. 2107-208)