Sun Dynasty
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[edit] Sun Dynasty
The Sun Dynasty or Solar Dynasty or Suryavansha is one of the most prominent dynasties in the history of Hinduism. This clan is known to be the most long-lived and the most prosperous in ancient India till rise of Magadh. Ayodhya was their capital. The town of Ayodhya was found by Vaivaswat Manu who was eldest son of Vivaswan. Last important king of Ayodhya was Brihdbal, who was killed by Abhimanyu in Mahabharata or war of Kurukshetra. Last king of this dynasty at Ayodhya was Sumitra at the time of Nanda dynasty. Other important dynasty was "Chandravansha" or Lunar Dynasty.
This clan is more associated with Rama, the King of Ayodhya. All of the Kings in this clan have started from the originiation of the world and the first person of the clan was Vivaswan or Vivaswat. His son was called Vaivaswat Manu. First important king of this dynasty was Ikshvaku. Therefore, this dynasty is also known as the Iksvaku Dynasty.
The following is the list and order of the monarchs that have originated from this dynasty and most of them were the rulers of Ayodhya and therefore, King of Kosala.
- Vivasvan or Vivasvat - the Sun God, who commenced this clan. Kashyapa was his father "Aditi" was mother. He was one of the 12 sons of Aditi. All her sons are known as "Aditya".The literal meaning of Vivaswan and Aditya is sun. Therefore he was known as Surya or the Sun.He got two sons elder was Manu and younger was Yama.
- Manu or Vaivaswat Manu - the King of all mankind and the first human being. He was addressed as Rajan (King) in Shatpath Brahman. He got nine sons eldest was Ikshwaku. His daughter was "Ila" married to "Budh" the second of Lunar Dynasty or Chandravansha.
- Ikshvaku - first prominent monarch of this dynasty. He had hundred sons. Fifty of them ruled Uttarapath (Northern India) and fifty ruled Dakshinapath (Southern India).
- Vikukshi- He is said to have ate the meat of rabbit at the time of Shraddha and known as Shasad. His son was Kakuthsa or Puranjay.
- Kakutsth or Puranjay-He was a brave king and fought in Devasur Sangram. His dynasty was also known as Kakuthstha after him.
- Anena
- Prithu
- Vishvagashva
- Ardra
- Yuvanashva I
- Shravast- He found the town of Shravasti near kosala.
- Vrihadashva
- Kuvalashva- He killed a Rakshsa named Dhundhmar. It is said Dhundhar and Dhund river named after Dhundhmar. 18 of his son died in a battle with Dhundhmar.
- Dridhashva
- Pramod
- Haryashva I
- Nikumbh
- Santashva
- Krishasva
- Prasenjit I- His daughter Renuka was married to sage Jamdgni.She was mother of Parashurama.
- Yuvanashva II- He was married to Gori, daughter of Chandravanshi king Matinaar.
- Mandhata- He became a famous and Chakravarti king.He defeated most of the kings at his time. Maried to Bindumati a daughter of Chandravanshi king.
- Purukutsa- He performed Ashwamedha Yajna. Married to Nagkanya "Narmada". He helped Nagas in their war against Ghandharvas.
- Traddasyu
- Sambhoot
- Anaranya II
- Trashdashva
- Haryashva II
- Vasuman
- Tridhanva
- Tryyaruna
- Satyavrat or Trishanku - His original name was Satyavrata. His son was Dhundumara. Satyavrata committed three sins, and hence he got the name Trishanku. First, while a prince, he misbehaved in the kingdom and was temporarily exiled. Next, he killed the milch cow of his preceptor Vasishta. His third sin was that he used the unsanctified meat of his kill as food. He also had a desire to ascend heaven in his mortal body. After Vashistha refused him, since it is against nature to ascend into heaven as a mortal, the sage Vishwamitra created another heaven for him, called "Trishanku's Heaven", which is located in mid-air. He married the princess of "Kaikaya" named "Satyaraksha".Harishchandra was son of this princess.
- King Harishchandra.He is known for his honesty, truth and devotion to duty or Dharma.
- Rohitashva.Son of Harishchandra.He found town of Rohtas Garh, Rohtas district Bihar India.
- Harit
- Chanchu
- Vijay
- Rusak
- Vrika
- Bahu- He as attacked and defeated by another clan of Kshatriyas. Leaved Ayodhya and went to Himalaya with his queens. At that time Yadav queen was pregnant and gave birth to Sagara.
- Sagara, He recaptured Ayodhya which was won by "Haihaya" and "Taljanghi" Kshtriyas. He performed Ashwamedha Yajna. His horse was stolen by Indra on south eastern beach, and a war ensued. It is estimated at least sixty of his sons died. Paraunic legends say it 60 thousand which is exeggerated figure.
- Asmanja, He was not made king due to his bad conduct.
- Anshuman. He was grandson of Sagar.His father Asmanj was not made king due to his bad conduct.He tried to bring "Ganges" the holy river.
- Dileepa I. He also tried to bring "Ganges" the holy river.
- Bhagiratha. He brought "Ganges" or Ganga. Ganga bears another name "Bhagirathi" after his name.
- Shrut
- Nabhag
- Ambarish- According to Buddhist legends he went to Tapovana but came upon public demands and ruled for sometime.
- Sindhu Dweep
- Pratayu
- Shrutuparna
- Sarvakama
- Sudaas
- Saudas or Mitrasah- He performed Ashwamedha Yajna.At the time of last rituals he was deceived by a Rakshasa and served human meat to Brahmins including Vashishta. He was cursed by Brahmins and He was also to curse them but his wife prevented him for doing it. He spent twelve years banishment in forests.
- Sarvakama II
- Ananaranya III
- Nighna
- Raghu I
- Duliduh
- Khatwang Dileepa
- Raghu II or Dirghbahu. He was a famous king he won many areas covering most of the parts of India.The great epic Raghuvamsa describes his victories.After him the Sun dynasty was also known as dynasty of Raghu.
- Aja
- Dasaratha
- Rama. He is considered Avatar of god Vishnu. He is worshiped by every Hindu. Many Hindus either include his name as first name or last name in their name. He performed Ashwamedha Yajna. Bharata his younger brother won Gandhara and settled there. His two sons Taksha and Pushkal found cities of Taksashila and Pushkalawati, now known as Taxila and Peshwar.His brother Lakshman found Lakshmanpur now known as Lacknau. His youngest brother was given Madhura which is now known as Mathura.
- Lava and Kusha.They were twin sons of Rama and Sita. Lava was givan Dakshin Kosala and Kusha got Uttar Kosala. Ayodhya was ruled by Kusha. Kusha was married to "Nagkanya" "Kumuddhati". Her brother was Kumuda.After Kusha following kings of this dynasty ruled Ayodhya
- Atithi
- Nishadh
- Nal
- Nabha
- Pundarika
- Kshemandhava
- Dewaneek
- Ahinagu
- Paripatra
- --(unknown name)
- Bala
- Ukta
- Vajranabh
- Shankh
- Vishvashaha
- Hiranyanabha
- Pusya
- Dhruvsandhi
- Sudarshan
- Agnivarna
- Shighraga
- Maru
- Prasut
- Susandhi
- Amarsha
- Vishrutwan
- Vishravbahu
- Prasenjit I
- Takshaka
- Brihadbal - He fought in Battle of Kurukshetra or Mahabharata in favour Kauravas and killed.
- Brahatkshtra
- Arukshay
- Vatsavyuha
- Prativyom
- Diwakar
- Sahdeva
- Vrihadashwa
- Bhanuratha
- Pratitashwa
- Supratika
- Marudeva
- Sunakshtra
- Antariksha
- Sushena
- Anibhajit
- Vrihadbhanu
- Dharmi
- Kritanjaya
- Rananjaya
- Sanjay
- Prasenjit II - He was contemporary of Gautam Buddha and King Bimbisara of Magadha.His sister Koushala Devi was married to Bimbisara.Kashi was given as dowry to his sister.Ajatshatru murdered his father Bimbisara, therefore he faced long series of wars with Ajatshatru.He also respected Buddha, who was also a Kshatriya from solar dynasty.
- Kshudrak
- Kulak
- Surath
- Sumitra -He was last king of Ayodhya from solar dynasty. In fourth century BC emperor Mahapadma Nanda of Nanda Dynasty forced him to leave Ayodhya.He went to Rohtas with his sons.His son Kurma estblished rule over Rohtas.
[edit] External Links
Vishnu Purana P-348
Vishnu Purana P-359
Vishnu Purana P-372
Vishnu Purana P-377
The Valmiki Ramayana
Ayodhya
Holy Sun Dynasty
The linage of Mewar
