Raghuvanshi

Raghuvanshi (or Raghuwanshi) (Sanskrit: रघुवंशी) is an Indian dynasty, first mentioned in the Indian mythology. Raghuvanshi is believed to be a lineage of kings tracing its ancestry to Surya.^[1] Raghuvanshi kings like Mandhata, Harishchandra, Sagara, Bhagiratha, Dilīpa, Raghu, Aja, Dasaratha and Rama.

The clan founder was Vivasvan (विवस्वान) or Vaivaswat Manu (वैवस्वत मनु) who was also known as Arka-tanaya or son of Arka (Surya), is supposed to have lived coeval with the origin of the world. The name Vivaswan literally means "master of the rays"; the sun, or sun-god. The first historically significant king of this dynasty was Vivaswan's grandson Ikshvaku (इक्ष्वाकु), so the dynasty is also known as the Ikshvaku dynasty.^[2] Raja Prithu was son of Ikshvaku. Because of the greatness of Raja Prithu(पृथु), the whole planet was known as Prithvi ("Earth").

Kalidasa's famous work, Raghuvansh (Sanskrit: रघुवंश, Raghuvaṃśa) narrates the epic of the Raghuvanshi in 19 sargas (cantos).^[3]

Notables

Harishchandra and his family are sold into bondage and separated. Painting by Raja Ravi Varma.

Several legendary kings came from the Ikshvaku dynasty and after King Raghu, his descendants are known as Raghuvanshi.

• Mandhata (मान्धाता), who is said to have ruled the entire earth during the Vedic era, and defeated the Indra-head of Devtas.
• Harishchandra, the king of Ayodhya, believed to be an exemplar of honesty
• Sagara, a king who was tricked by Indra into a conflict with the sage Kapila, leading to the death of his 60,000 sons, the descent of the Ganges to earth, and his sons' revival
• Bhagiratha - Sagara's great-grandson, after strenuous penances, at last succeeded in bringing Ganges down from Heaven. When she flowed over the remains of his ancestors, their souls were redeemed, and the ocean was refilled. Ganges also bears the name "Bhagirathi", in honour of his deed.
• Dilīpa, said to be the most righteous and chivalrous emperors of the Ikshvaku dynasty
• Raghu II, The mahakavya (epic) composed by the classical poet Kalidasa on the lives of the ancestors of Rama is entitled Raghuvamsha or the "Dynasty of Raghu". The descendants of King Raghu are known as Raghuvanshi. Valmiki Ramayana mention about "Raghukula", a clan of the King Raghu not Rama. Rama himself is known by many appellations (such as Raghava, Raghunandan and Raghukula Nayaka), indicative of his belonging to the family of Raghu.
• Aja, Son of King Raghu
• Dasaratha, Son of Aja and father of Rama, Lakshman, Bharath and Shatrughan.
• Ram - He is considered the seventh Avatar of the god Vishnu. He is worshiped by every Hindu. Many Hindus include his name in either their first or last name. Rama's story before he became king of Ayodhya is recounted in the Ramayana. After he ascended the throne, he performed the Ashwamedha Yajna. Bharata, his younger brother, won the country of Gandhara and settled there.
• Lav and Kush - They were the twin sons of Rama and his wife Sita. Lava ruled south Kosala while Kusha ruled north Kosala, including Ayodhya. Kusha married "Nagkanya" "Kumuddhati", sister of Kumuda. After Kusha the following kings of the solar dynasty ruled Ayodhya:
• Śuddhodana
• Sumitra - He was the last king of Ayodhya from Raghuwanshi dynasty. In the fourth century BC, emperor Mahapadma Nanda of the Nanda Dynasty forced Sumitra to leave Ayodhya. He went to Rohtas with his sons. His son Kurma established his rule over Rohtas

Modern History

In current time, most of the Raghuvanshi lives in the state of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharastra. While few Raghuvanshi are also settled in various other countries.

See also

• Raghuvaṃśa

References