You are on page 1of 5

Ikshvaku dynasty

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the Puranic Indian dynasty. For the dynasty which ruled in ancient Andhra Pradesh,
see Andhra Ikshvaku.
The Ikshvaku dynasty, in Puranic literature, was a mythical dynasty[1] founded byIkshvaku, grandson
of Vivasvan or Surya and son of Vaivasvata Manu. They ruled from the Kosala Kingdom, today known
as Oudh in the state of Uttar Pradesh along the banks of river Sarayu with saketa, Ayodhya today as their
capital. Ikshvaku is the first king who executed the Manusmrti or religious rules of Hindu living which were
composed by his father Manu. Ikshvaku, ruled as Monarch at the beginning of theTreta Yuga or second
yuga, had hundred sons. His estates descended to his eldest son Vikukshi.[2] The two Indian
epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, have numerous mentions of this dynasty.
This dynasty is also known as Sryavaa (the Solar dynasty). The important personalities belonging to
this royal house are Harishchandra, Dilpa, Sagara,[3]Raghu, Rama and Prasenajit. Although, both the
Hindu Puranas and the Buddhisttexts include Shuddodhana, Gautama Buddha and Rahula in their
accounts of the Ikshvaku dynasty, but according to the Buddhist texts, Mahasammata, an ancestor of
Ikshvaku was the founder of this dynasty,[4] who was elected by the people as the first king of the present
era. The Ikshvaku dynasty of Jaina literature includes 22 JainaTirthankaras. According to the Puranas,
supreme preceptor of the Ikshvaku dynasty was sage Vashishta.
Contents [hide]
1 Ikshvaku dynasty lineage
1.1 To Kusha
1.2 Kusha to Brihadbala
1.3 Brihadbala to Sumitra
2 Ikshvaku dynasty in Buddhist tradition
3 Ikshvaku dynasty in Jaina tradition
4 See also
5 References

Ikshvaku dynasty lineage

[edit]

The lists of kings of Ikvku or Aikvka dynasty are found in the Ramayana, theMahabharata,
the Harivamsha and the Puranas. The Raghuvamsha of Kalidasa also mentions the names of the kings of
this dynasty.[5][6]

To Kusha [edit]
The genealogy of the Ikshvaku dynasty to Rama is mentioned in the Ramayana in two lists (i.69.17-32 and
ii.102.4-29). The only difference between the two lists is that, Kukshi is mentioned only in the second list
(ii.102.4-29). In the first list (i.69.17-32), Vikukshi is mentioned as the son of Ikshvaku.[7] The genealogy is

as follows:
1. Brahma
2. Marichi
3. Kashyapa
4. Vivasvan or Surya
5. Vaivasvata Manu
6. Ikshvaku
7. Kukshi
8. Vikukshi
9. Bana
10. Anaranya
11. Prithu
12. Trishanku
13. Dhundhumara
14. Yuvanashva
15. Mandhata
16. Susandhi
17. Dhruvasandhi and Presenajit were the sons of Susandhi
18. Bharata, son of Dhruvasandhi
19. Bahu (Asita)
20. Sagara
21. Asamanja
22. Amsumana
23. Dileepa
24. Bhagiratha
25. Kakustha
26. Raghu
27. Kalmashapada
28. Shankhana
29. Sudarshana
30. Agnivarna
31. Shighra
32. Maru
33. Prashushruka
34. Ambarisha
35. Aja
36. Dasharatha
37. Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata andShatrughna are the sons ofDasaratha

In the Ramayana, we find that, Lava and Kusha were the sons of Rama.

Kusha to Brihadbala [edit]


The Puranas provide a genealogical list from Kusha to Brihadbala, who was killed by Abhimanyu in
the Mahabharata war. This list is corroborated by the Raghuvamsha till Agnivarna:[8]
Kusha
Atithi, the son of Kusha
Nishadha, the son of Atithi
Nala, the son of Nishadha
Nabhas, the son of Nala
Pundarika, the son Nabhas
Kshemadhanvan, the son of Pundarika
Devanika, the son of Kshemadhanvan
Ahinagu, the son of Davanika
Paripatra, the son of Ahinagu
Dala (or Bala), the son of Ahinagu
Uktha, the son of Dala
Vajranabha, the son of Uktha
Shankhana, the son of Vajranabha
Vyushitashva, the son of Shankhana
Vishvasaha, the son of Vyushitashva
Hiranyanabha, the son of Vishvasaha
Pushya, the son of Hiranyanabha
Dhruvasandhi, the son of Pushya
Agnivarna, the son of Dhruvasandhi
Shighra, the son of Agnivarna
Maru, the son of Shighra
Prasushruta, the son of Maru
Susandhi, the son of Prasushruta
Amarsha and Sahasvanta, the sons of Susandhi
Vishrutavanta, the son of Amarsha
Brihadbala, the son of Vishrutavanta.

Brihadbala to Sumitra [edit]


The Puranas also provide the list of the kings from Brihadbala to the last ruler Sumitra. But these lists
mention Shakya as an individual, and incorporate the names of Shakya, Shuddodhana, Siddhartha
(Gautama Buddha) and Rahula between Sanjaya and Prasenajit. The names of the kings are:[9]
Birhadbala
Brihatkshaya

Urukshaya
Vatsavyuha
Prativyoma
Divakara
Sahadeva
Brihadashva
Bhanuratha
Pratitashva
Supratika
Marudeva
Sunakshatra
Kinnara
Antariksha
Suvarna
Sumitra Amitrajit
Dharmin
Kritanjaya
Sanjaya Mahakoshala
Prasenajit (c. 6th century BCE)
Kshudraka
Kulaka
Suratha
Sumitra, defeated by Mahapadma Nanda

Ikshvaku dynasty in Buddhist tradition

[edit]

The Buddhist text, Mahavamsa (II, 1-24) traces the origin of the Shakyas to king Okkaka (Pali equivalent to
Sanskrit Ikshvaku) and gives their genealogy from Mahasammata, an ancestor of Okkaka. This list
comprises the names of a number of prominent kings of the Ikshvaku dynasty, namely, Mandhata and
Sagara.[10] The genealogy according to the Mahavamsa is as follows:[11][12]
1. Okkaka
2. Okkamukha
3. Sivisamjaya
4. Sihassara
5. Jayasena
6. Sihahanu
7. Suddhodana
8. Siddhartha (Gautama Buddha)
9. Rahula

Ikshvaku dynasty in Jaina tradition

[edit]

The Ikshvaku dynasty has a significant place in Jaina tradition, as


all Tirthankarasexcept Munisuvrata and Neminatha were born in this royal house.[13] The first Tirthankara
Rishabha (Jain tirthankar) was son of Ikshvaku King Nabhi. The second Tirthankara, Ajitanatha, son of
Ikshvaku King Jitashatru was cousin of Sagara.

See also

[edit]

Saka or Sacae
Shakya
Koliya
Hinduism

References

[edit]

1. ^ Geography of Rgvedic India, M.L. Bhargava, Lucknow 1964, pp. 15-18, 46-49, 92-98, 100-/1, 136
2. ^ http://www.gloriousindia.com/history/dynasties/ikshvaku/ikshvaku.html
3. ^ Ikshaku tribe

The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (1883 -1896), Book 3: Vana Parva:

Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CVI, p. 228 'There was born in the family of the Ikshaku, a ruler of the earth
named Sagara, endued with beauty, and strength...".
4. ^ Malalasekera, G. P. (2007) [1937]. Dictionary of Pli Proper Names: A-Dh . Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.
pp. 4612. ISBN 978-81-208-3021-9.
5. ^ Pargiter, F.E. (1972). Ancient Indian Historical Tradition. New Delhi: Motilal Banarasidass. pp. 9091.
6. ^ Valmiki, Arshia Sattar (1996). The Ramayana. New Delhi: Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-029866-5.
7. ^ Vyas, R.T. (ed.) (1992). Vlmki Rmyaa, Text as Constituted in its Critical Edition. Vadodara: Oriental
Institute, Vadodara. pp. 912, 25556.
8. ^ Pargiter, F.E. (1972). Ancient Indian Historical Tradition. New Delhi: Motilal Banarasidass. p. 149.
9. ^ Misra, V.S. (2007). Ancient Indian Dynasties, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,ISBN 81-7276-413-8,
pp.283-8, 384
10. ^ Law, B.C. (1973). Tribes in Ancient India, Bhandarkar Oriental Series No.4, Poona: Bhandarkar Oriental
Research Institute, p.246
11. ^ Misra, V.S. (2007). Ancient Indian Dynasties, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,ISBN 81-7276-413-8, p.286
12. ^ Geiger, Wilhelm (tr.) (1912). "Mahavamsa, Chapter II"

. Ceylon Government Information Dept.,Colombo (in

lakdvia.org website). Retrieved 2009-10-26.


13. ^ Jain, Kailash Chand (1991). Lord Mahvra and His Times
0805-3.

. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. p. 2. ISBN 81-208-

You might also like