Dasharatha's Royal Family Tree
Balakanda - Sarga 70
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Balakanda - Sarga 70
Explore the legendary Ikshvaku lineage, from Brahma to Rama. Witness the saga of kings, divine blessings, and the fateful events leading to the birth of the heroic brothers Rama and Lakshmana.
At dawn, after the great sages had performed their daily rituals, the eloquent King Janaka addressed his chief priest, Satananda:
"My younger brother, the righteous and renowned Kusadhwaja, rules the sacred kingdom of Sankasya. It lies on the bank of the river Ikshumati, its boundaries marked by water darts. The city is as magnificent as the aerial chariot Pushpaka (a flying vehicle of great beauty and speed). I wish to see him, for I have chosen him as the protector of our sacrifice. I want my glorious brother to share in this joyous occasion."
After speaking thus, Janaka instructed some of his attendants to fetch Kusadhwaja. Obeying the king's command, the messengers rode swiftly to bring Kusadhwaja, much like Indra sending for Vishnu.
Upon reaching Sankasya, the messengers met with Kusadhwaja and informed him of the events and Janaka's intentions. Hearing this from the loyal, mighty messengers, Kusadhwaja set out for Mithila in compliance with Janaka's request.
In Mithila, Kusadhwaja beheld the magnanimous Janaka, devoted to righteousness. After paying his respects to Satananda and the virtuous king, he took a seat befitting a monarch.
The two brothers, both radiating great splendor, sat side by side. They then dispatched Sudamana, the wisest of ministers, to King Dasharatha with this message:
"O foremost of counselors, go swiftly and bring the invincible Dasharatha of the Ikshvaku dynasty, whose splendor is immeasurable, along with his ministers and sons."
Sudamana went to the tent where he found Dasharatha, the perpetuator of the Raghu dynasty. Bowing his head in respect, he conveyed the message:
"O heroic lord of Ayodhya, Janaka, the ruler of Mithila, wishes to see you along with your spiritual preceptors and chief priest."
Upon hearing the words of the counselor, King Dasharatha, accompanied by sages and relations, went to where Janaka was waiting. Dasharatha, skilled in speech, addressed Janaka, the lord of the Videhas:
"O great king, as you know, the venerable sage Vasishtha is the spiritual protector of the Ikshvaku race and our spokesman for all ceremonies. With the permission of Vishvamitra and all the great sages, Vasishtha will now narrate the history of my race in detail."
After Dasharatha had spoken thus and fallen silent, the sage Vasishtha, well-versed in speech, addressed Janaka in the presence of the priests.
Vasishtha began his narration of the illustrious Ikshvaku lineage:
From the unmanifest was born the eternal, constant, and imperishable Brahma.
From Brahma came Marichi, and from Marichi, Kashyapa.
Kashyapa begot Vivasvan, who fathered Manu, also known as Vaivasvata or Prajapati.
Manu's son was Ikshvaku, the first king of Ayodhya.
Ikshvaku's son was the glorious Kukshi, whose son was Vikukshi.
Vikukshi's son was the brilliant and powerful Bana.
Bana's son was the splendorous and valiant Anaranya, whose son was Prithu.
Prithu's son was Trishanku.
Trishanku's famous son was Dundumara, also known as Yuvanashva, whose son was King Mandhata.
Mandhata's son was the venerable Susandhi, who had two sons: Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit.
Dhruvasandhi's son was the illustrious Bharata, who begot the vigorous Asita.
Asita faced enemies in the form of the Haihayas, Talajanghas, and the valiant Shashibindus. Defeated in battle, the weakened King Asita was exiled. He retreated to the Bhriguprasravana (a sacred place associated with sage Bhrigu) on the Himavat mountain with his counselors.
It is said that Asita's two wives were pregnant. One wife, seeking to destroy the other's embryo, gave her rival food mixed with poison. At that time, the sage Chyavana of the Bhrigu family was dwelling on the Himavat mountain. The poisoned queen, with eyes like lotus petals, approached Chyavana, seeking his blessing for her unborn child.
The sage blessed her, saying, "O prosperous one, a child of great prowess, luster, and virtue grows in your womb. This glorious son will be born soon, carrying with him the poison administered to you. Do not grieve, O lotus-eyed lady."
The virtuous princess, grieving for her lost husband, gave birth to a son by the grace of Chyavana. Because the child was born with the poison (gara), he was named Sagara.
The lineage continued as follows:
From Sagara came Asamanja, and from Asamanja, Anshuman.
Dilipa was Anshuman's son, and Bhagiratha was Dilipa's son.
From Bhagiratha came Kakutstha, whose son was Raghu.
Raghu's powerful son was Pravriddha, who became known as Kalmashapada due to a curse.
Kalmashapada's son was Shankhana.
The line continued through Sudarshana, Agnivarna, Shighraga, Maru, Prasushruka, and Ambarisha.
Ambarisha's son was King Nahusha, whose son was Yayati.
Yayati's son was Nabhaga, and Nabhaga's son was Aja.
From Aja came Dasharatha, and from Dasharatha were born the brothers Rama and Lakshmana.
Vasishtha concluded, "O great king, I ask you to bestow your equally accomplished daughters in marriage to Rama and Lakshmana. They are born in the family of Ikshvaku kings, possessing purity of lineage from the beginning. They are highly virtuous, heroic, and truthful, and have chosen your daughters as their brides."
Thus ends the Seventieth sarga (chapter) of Balakanda (The Book of Youth) of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.