Raghu

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Not to be confused with Ragù, an Italian term for meat sauce

In Hindu mythology, Raghu was a valorous king of the Ikshavaku dynasty. The name in sanskrit translates to the fast one, deriving from Raghu's chariot driving abilities. So celebrated were the expliots of Raghu, that his dynasty itself came to be known as the Raghuvamsha or the Raghukula after him. The history of his dynasty is elaborated upon by Kalidasa in his Raghuvamsha. The lineage described in the Raghuvamsha goes thus: Dileepa was the father of Raghu, who was the father of Aja, who was the father of Dasaratha, who was the father of Rama.

The warrior Raghu leads a military expedition to Transoxiana. He defeats and subjugates local peoples along the way (presumably on his march through Central Asia) until he reaches the Vankshu, as the ancient Indians called the Oxus River. There, Raghu's army battles the Hepthalites, or White Huns, whom the Indians called Hunas and Mlecchas (barbarians). The Hepthalites are defeated, and the Raghuvamsha boasts of "The exploits of Raghu, whose valor expressed itself amongst the husbands of the Huna women, became manifest in the scarlet color of their cheeks."

After crossing the Oxus, Raghu and his army encountered the Kambojas, an ancient Iranian people often mentioned in Indian texts. The Kambojas submitted to Raghu and offered him gifts and treasures. Evidently, the Kambojas dwelt in the vicinity of the Pamirs. Kalidasa describes the preponderance of walnut trees in the Oxus country and indeed, this particular region is still known for the cultivation of walnuts.

Raghu's father Dileepa was a very pious king, and performed as many as 100 yagnas or sacrificial rituals. Until he did so, only Indra, king of the Gods, had earned that distinction. In a bid to prevent Dileepa from equaling his record, Indra placed many hurdles in the path of the successful completion of the 100th sacrifice, but Raghu was able to prevail over the forces of Indra himself, and the sacrifice was completed successfully.

Raghu is best known today as the great-grandfather of Rama. There are indications that in the classical period, Raghu was a heroic personality of far greater importance that what one would imagine today. The epic composed by the classical poet Kalidasa on the lives of the ancestors of Rama is entitled Raghu-vamsham or the "Dynasty of Raghu". Indeed, Rama himself is known by many appelations (such as Raghava and Raghukula Nayaka), indicative of his belonging to the family of Raghu, which again serves to underscore the great prestige enjoyed by Raghu in the puranic era.

[edit] External links

See these stories which showcase the greatness of Raghu maharaja:

• http://moralstories.wordpress.com/2006/06/19/a-story-of-the-great-raghumaharaja/
• http://moralstories.wordpress.com/2006/08/31/abhaya-daanam/