Ikshvaku was born out of the nostrils of Manu when sneezing. He had one
hundred sons. Vikukshi, Nimi, and Dandaka were the eldest born. Twenty
five of them ruled on the east of Aryavarta, twenty five on the west and
twenty five in the middle. The others ruled else where. For the
performance of Ashtaka Sraddha, Ikshvaku once ordered Vikukshi to get
some good flesh. Vikukshi had a bagful of good game. But he was hungry
and ate one rabbit out of his store.
Vasishtha found fault with this and Ikshvaku had to reject the whole of
the game. The King became angry at this and he expelled his son from the
kingdom. When Ikshvaku died, Vikukshi returned. He succeeded his father
as king and was known as Sasada or Rabbiteater. Puranjaya was the son of
Sasada. He was also called Indravaha and Kakutstha. The Devas had a
fight with the Asuras and Indra asked for the help of Puranjaya.
Puranjaya wanted Indra to be his carrier, and the King of the Devas
became a bull. Puranjaya ascended the bull on its hump. He is therefore
called Indravaha or Indra-vehicled and Kakutstha or the mounter on the
hump. He defeated the Asuras.
Ikshvaku
|
--+--------------------+-----+-----------------------+---
| | |
Vikukshi Nimi 98 other sons
(Sasada)
|
Puranjaya
(Indra vahu
Kakutstha)
|
Anena
|
Prithu
|
Visvagandhi
|
Chandra
|
Yuvanasva
|
Sravasta
(He built the town Sravasti)
|
Brihadasva
|
Kuvalayasva
(Dhundhumara.)
With his 21 thousand sons, Kuvalayasva killed an Asura called Dhundhu,
for the good of Rishi Utanka. But the Asura killed all his sons, except
three, with fire from his mouth. Those three were Dridhasva, Kapilasva
and Bhadrasva.
Kuvalayasva or Dhundhumara.
|
---+--------------------+-+-----------------------+----
| | |
Dridhasva. Kapilasva. Bhadrasva.
|
Haryasva
|
Nikumbha
|
Bahulasva
|
Krisasva
|
Senajit
|
Yuvanasva.
Yuvanasva had no son. So the Rishis performed a sacrifice directed to
Indra. One night Yuvanasva became very thirsty and entered the Yajna
house. He found all the Rishis sleeping at the time. He thought it
improper to rouse the Rishis and drank whatever water he found near at
hand. By chance that happened to be the consecrated water with the power
of producing a son. When the Rishis rose up they did not find the water.
On enquiry, when they knew what had happened, every one wondered what
the outcome would be. In time the king brought forth a son from his
right side. The little thing cried out for milk. Indra said "Do not
weep, child, you shall _drink wine_ ('_Man Dhata_')" So saying he
offered the child his fore finger. From this, the child was called
Mandhata. Yuvanasva, by the blessing of the Rishis, did not meet with
death at delivery. Mandhata was a very powerful king. The thieves
dreaded him much. He performed many sacrifices and made many gifts. He
married Indumati, daughter of Sasabindu. He had three sons Purukutsa,
Ambarisha, and the Yogin Muchukunda. He had also fifty daughters.
Rishi Soubhari made Tapas in the waters of the Yamuna. One day he saw
the pairing of a couple of fish and became excited. He requested king
Mandhata to give him one daughter in marriage. The king said: "By
Svayamvara, you may get my daughter" (_i.e._ the girl must choose her
own husband from amongst a number of men offering themselves as
husbands.) The Rishi thought because he was old and decrepit therefore
the king wanted to put him off. So Soubhari by yogic powers became young
and beautiful. All the fifty daughters then accepted him for their
husband. The Rishi prepared for himself all the enjoyments of life and
passed his days in company with his 50 wives. He then became disgusted
with this sensual life and afterwards attained Moksha with his wives.
Yuvanasva adopted his grand son Ambarisha. Ambarisha had one son
Youvanasva. His son was Harita. These three, Ambarisha, Youvanasva and
Harita were the founders of the chief clans of the Mandhata Dynasty.
The elemental serpents gave their sister Narmoda in marriage to
Purukutsa. Purukutsa accompanied Narmoda to Rasatala at the request of
Vasuki. There he killed such Gandharvas as deserved to be killed. Those
who remember this story have no fear from serpents. Such was the
blessing of the elemental serpents.
Yuvanasva
|
Mandhata
|
--+----------------------+--+-----------------------+---
| | |
Purukuta Ambarisha Muchukunda
m. Narmoda (adopted by Yuvanasva) (Yogin)
| |
Trasadasya Youvanasva
| |
Anaranya Harita
|
Horyasva
|
Praruna
|
Tribandhana
|
Satyavrata or Tri Sanku
Tri Sanku became a Chandala by the curse of his father. Rishi Visvamitra
lifted him up to Svarga in his own mortal body. Tri Sanku is still
visible in the heavens. The devas turned him with his head downwards and
attempted to throw him down. Visvamitra by his power has retained him
there.
[Tri Sanku is a constellation in the southern hemisphere.]:
Tri Sanku
|
Haris Chandra
Haris Chandra had at first no issue. He prayed to Varuna for a son,
promising to offer him as a sacrifice to the Water-god. The king had a
son named Rohita (Red). Varuna asked for his victim. Ten days passed
away. "Without teething the child will not be pure." There was teething.
"When these milk teeth fall away, then will be the time." The milk teeth
fell off. "Let other teeth grow." Other teeth did grow. "But he is a
Kshatriya boy. He can be pure only when he is fit to put his armour on."
The king put off Varuna from time to time in this way, out of affection
for his son. Rohita came to know of his father's promise. To save
himself, he took a bow and went to the forest. There he learned that his
father had an attack of dropsy, the disease caused by Varuna. So he
prepared himself to go back, but Indra prevented him by persuasive
words. He was put back from year to year by Indra, till his 6th. year.
He then made his way to the king. He purchased from Ajigarta his second
son Sunahsepha. He saluted his father and offered the child. King Haris
Chandra appeased Varuna by human sacrifice and got rid of his dropsy. In
that sacrifice, Visvamitra was the Hota, Jamadagni was the Adhvaryu,
Vasistha Brahma and Ayasya was the Udgata. Indra being pleased gave a
golden chariot to the king. Visvamitra taught Atma Vidya to Haris
Chandra and he attained liberation.
[The story of Haris Chandra in this Purana follows the vedic version.
The gist of the story is that in the course of further evolution the
Devas were to be propitiated by human sacrifice. But this sacrifice did
not mean killing. It was the complete offering of oneself up to the
service of the gods. The mission of the human victim is to constantly
work for the good of the Universe and to extinguish his own personality.
Sunahsepha was not killed in the sacrifice. He was offered up to the
service of the gods. After the sacrifice, he was called Devarata _i.e._
one offered to the Devas. Visvamitra adopted Devarata as his own son and
he asked his hundred sons to accept him as their eldest brother. He
disowned those sons that did not obey him (Bhagavata IX-16). Therefore
Visvamitra took the principal part in this sacrifice and not Vasistha,
though he was the family preceptor.]
Haris Chandra
|
Rohita
|
Harita
|
Champa (founder of Champa)
|
Sudeva
|
Vijaya
|
Bharuka
|
Vrika
|
Bahuka
His enemies dispossesed Bahuka of his kingdom. He went to the forest
accompanied by his wives. When he died, the eldest queen prepared
herself for death also. Rishi Aurva knew her to be big with child, and
dissuaded her from accompanying her husband on to the funeral pyre. The
co-wives of the queen, out of jealousy, gave her poison. The child was
born with this poison, therefore he was called Sagara (Sa = with, gara =
poison.) Sagara became a great king. The Seas were dug by his sons. He
was prevented by Rishi Aurva from taking the lives of the Talajanghas,
Yavanas, Sakas, Haihayas, and Barbars. But he made them change their
outward look. He performed an Asvamedha sacrifice as advised by Aurva
and Indra stole the sacrificial horse.
Sagara had two wives Sumati and Kesini. The 60 thousand sons of Sumati
searched for the horse on all sides. They dug the earth's surface and
made the Seas. They found the horse near Kapila. They took him to be the
stealer of the horse and abused him. For this they were all burnt up.
Kesini had one son Asamanjas by Sagara. Ansumat was son of Asamanjas. He
was attached to his grandfather Sagara. Asamanjas was a Yogin in his
former birth. He therefore wanted to avoid company by means of provoking
acts. He threw down some children into the Saraju. His father Sagara was
thus compelled to forsake him. By Yogic powers, be brought back the
children thrown into the Saraju, and left his father for ever.
Ansumat was also sent by Sagara to search for the horse. He found the
horse and a heap of ashes near Kapila. He saluted Kapila and glorified
him. The Avatara was pleased. He permitted Ansumat to take away the
horse. He also informed him that his burnt-up Pitris could only he saved
by the water of the Ganga.
Sagara completed the sacrifice with the horse. He made over the kingdom
to Ansumat and attained Mukti.
Ansumat made Tapas for the downward flow of Ganga but without success.
He was followed by his son Dilipa. He also did not succeed. Bhagiratha
was the son of Dilipa. He prayed hard and Ganga appeared in person
before him. "Child, I am pleased with thee. What boon do you ask for"?
Bhagiratha told her what he prayed for. "But who shall arrest my course,
when I fall down. If not arrested I will pierce the earth and reach
Rasatala. Again if I pass over earth, men will wash away their sins in
my waters. Where shall I wash away those sins, O King? Therefore do thou
ponder well what to do." Said Bhagiratha: -- "The touch of Sadhus shall
take away thy sins. For Vishnu, the destroyer of sins, remains in them.
Thy downward course shall be arrested by Rudra." Siva was pleased by the
prayer of Bhagiratha, and he consented to hold Ganga.
Ganga came rushing down and she was taken by Bhagiratha to where the
ashes of his Pitris lay. The very touch of her waters purified the sons
of Sagara and they went to Svarga.
Bahuka
|
Sagara
m. Sumati | m. Kesini
--+----------+-------------------+--
| |
60 thousand Asamanjas
sons |
Ansumat
|
Dilipa
|
Bhagiratha
|
Sruta
|
Nabha
|
Sindhu Dvipa
|
Ayutayu
|
Rituparna (friend
of Nala)
|
Sarvakama
|
Sudasa
|
Soudasa or Mitrasaha
or Kalmashapada
_m_. Madayanti.
Once there lived two Rakshasas. Soudasa killed one and did not kill the
other. The surviving Rakshasa, bent on taking revenge, entered the
service of Soudasa as a cook. When the king entertained Vasistha, he
gave him human flesh to eat. The Rishi became angry and caused Soudasa
to become a Rakshasa. When he learned however it was the doing of a
Rakshasa, he reduced the king's Rakshasa life to 12 years. The king also
held out water for the execration of Vasistha. His queen prevented him.
So he threw the water at his own feet. His feet became black with sin.
While living as a Rakshasa, the king saw a Brahmana and his wife in
their privacy, and he attacked the Brahmana. The wife reminded the king
of his former birth and requested him not to deprive her of her husband
at the time of enjoyment. The king heeded not her words but devoured the
Brahmana. The Brahmana woman cursed Soudasa so that he should meet with
death whenever he had female connection. On the expiry of 12 years,
Soudasa reverted to his former birth, but for fear of the curse he had
no connection with women. Vasistha at the request of Soudasa produced a
son by his wife, Madayanti. The conception lingered for 7 years.
Vasistha struck the womb with a stone (Asman) and the son was hence
called Asmaka. The son of Asmaka was Balika. He was the surviving
kshatriya, after the extirpation of that caste by Parasurama. Hence he
was called Mulaka also (the root of a race).
Soudasa
|
Asmaka
|
Balika or Mulaka
|
Dasaratha
|
Aidavidi
|
Visvasaha
|
Khatvanga
Khatvanga was a very powerful king. He killed Daityas as a friend of the
Devas. The Devas offered him a boon. The king wanted to know how much
longer he was to live. Learning it was a Muhurta only, he returned
forthwith to his place and concentrated his mind on Bhagavan. He
attained Mukti.
Khatvanga
|
Dirgha-bahu
|
Raghu
|
Aja
|
Dasaratha
|
--+-+------+-----------+------------+--
| | | |
RAMA Lakshmana Bharata Satrughna
(The story of Rama as told in the Ramayana is widely and universally
known. It is therefore unnecessary to repeat that story from the
Bhagavata Purana.)
Dasaratha
|
--+---+-------------+-------------+--------------+---
| | | |
RAMA Lakshmana Bharata Satrughna
| | | |
+-----+ --+----+-----+-- --+-------+-- --+--------+--
| | | | | | | |
Kusa Lava Angada Chitraketu Taksha Pushkala Subahu Srutasena.
Pushpa Kusa
| |
Dhruva Sandhi Atithi
| |
Sudarsana Nishada
| |
Agni varna Nabha
| |
Sighra Pundarika
| |
Maru Kshema Dhanvan
|
Devanika
|
Aniha
|
Pariyatra
|
Balasthala
|
Vajra nabha (incarnation
of Surya).
|
Sagana
|
Vidhriti
|
Hiranya nabha (disciple
of Jaimini and
Yogacharya
Teacher of Rishi
Yajnavalka in
Yoga)
_Manu has matured in Yoga. He now resides at Kalapa._ _Towards the end
of Kaliyuga he shall restore the Solar dynasty._
Maru Vatsa-Vriddha Sutapas
| | |
Prasusruta Prativyoma Amitrajit
| | |
Sandhi Bhanu Bridharaj
| | |
Amarshana Divaka Barhi
| | |
Mahasvat Sahadeva Kritanjaya
| | |
Visvabahu Brihadasva Rananjaya
| | |
Prasenajit Bhanumat Sanjaya
| | |
Takshaka Pratikasva Sakya
| | |
Brihadbala, killed Supratika Suddhoda
at the battle of | |
Kurukshetra by Marudeva Langala
Abhimanyu | |
Sunakshatra Prasenajit
(Time of Parikshit) | |
| Pushkara Kshudraka
Brihat-rana | |
| Antariksha Sumitra
Vatsa-vriddha |
Sutapas
Sumitra shall be the last of the Ikshvaku dynasty in this Kali Yuga.
Nimi was the second son of Ikshvaku. He asked Vasistha to officiate at
his Yajna. But the Rishi had been pre-engaged with Indra. So he asked
the king to wait till he came back. Considering the uncertainty, Nimi
did not wait for his family Purohita. But engaged another priest.
Vasistha on returning became offended and cursed Nimi with the loss of
his body. Nimi gave the same curse to Vasistha. So both gave up their
bodies. Vasistha was reborn shortly after as the son of Mitravaruna by
Urvasi. The Rishis picked up the body of Nimi and placed it with the
scented things of Yajna. On the completion of the Yajna, the Rishis
prayed to the Devas for the vivification of the body. But Nimi said from
within the scented things that he did not want to be encumbered with the
body any more. The Devas said: "Then remain in the eyes of all beings as
winking." So Nimi remains in the twinkling of eyes.
The Rishis churned the body of Nimi and a son was born. He was called
Janaka. As he was born, when his father was bodiless (_videha_) he was
also called _Vaideha_. The churning also gave him the name of Mithila
(Manth = to churn). He built the town Milhila. (Mithila is the modern
Tirhut).
NIMI Marti
| |
Janaka Pratipa
| |
Udavasu Kritaratha
| |
Nandivardhana Devamirha
| |
Suketu Visruta
| |
Devarata Mahadhriti
| |
Brihadratha Kritirata
| |
Mahavirya Maharoman (large-haired)
| |
Sudhriti Svarnaroman (gold-haired)
| |
Dhrishtaketu Hrasvaroman (short-haired)
| |
Haryasva Sira-Dhvaja
|
Maru
While ploughing the ground for sacrifice, Sira-Dhvaja got Sita at the
end of the plough. Therefore Sira (plough) being his Dhvaja (flag,
proclaimer of fame), he was called Sira Dhvaja.
(This Sira-Dhvaja is the renowned Janaka of Ramayana.):
Sira-Dhvaja
|
Kusa-Dhvaja
|
Dharma-Dhvaja
|
--+-+---------------+---
| |
Krita-Dhvaja Mita-Dhvaja
| |
Kesi-Dhvaja Khandikya
Kesi Dhvaja was versed in Atma-vidya, Khandikya was versed in Vedic
Karma, Kesi Dhvaja overpowered Khandikya and he fled away.
Kesi-Dhvaja Upa-guru
| |
Bhanumat Upa-gupta (incarnation of Agni)
| |
Sata-dyumna Vasvananta
| |
Suchi Yuyudha
| |
Sanadvaja Subhashana
| |
Urja-ketu Sruta
| |
Purujit Jaya
| |
Arishta nemi Vijaya
| |
Srutayu Rita
| |
Suparsva Sunaka
| |
Chitraratha Vitahavya
| |
Kshemadhi Dhriti
| |
Samaratha Bahulasva
| |
Satyaratha Kriti
|
Upa-guru
These kings of Mithila were well versed in Atma-vidya.