In order to have children, Dasharath decided to perform Putreshtri Yajna with the help of his son in law, Rishingriya. After the yajna, a Devas came out of the fire and gave pasya (kheer), a rice dish. The three queens ate it and all three Queens produced sons. Rama, son of Kausalya, was Dasharatha's favorite son. During Rama's childhood, Kaikeyi loved to spend time with Rama and took care of him more than her own son. Rama was a loving, obedient child who followed in his father's footsteps. When he turned 16, he married Sita, rumored to be a daughter of the Earth Goddess and foster daughter of King Janaka of Mithila. Her son Bharata married Sita's cousin Mandavi. Her father Ashwapati fell ill and requested Bharata's presence. Kaikeyi's brother Yuddhajit notified Dasharatha of this and so he sent Bharata with Yuddhajit. Shatrughna, who was close to Bharata since childhood, went with him.