# Solar dynasty

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"Ikshvaku dynasty" redirects here. For early ruling dynasty of Andhra Pradesh, see [Andhra Ikshvaku](/source/Andhra_Ikshvaku). For other uses, see [Ikshvaku (disambiguation)](/source/Ikshvaku_(disambiguation)).

The **Solar dynasty'*or '*** (lit. 'Descendants of the Sun'; Sanskrit: सूर्यवंश), also called the **Ikshvaku dynasty**, is a lineage or dynasty said to have been founded by [Ikshvaku](/source/Ikshvaku). In [Hindu literature](/source/Hindu_texts), it ruled the [Kosala Kingdom](/source/Kosala_Kingdom), with its capital at [Ayodhya](/source/Ayodhya_(Ramayana)), and later at [Shravasti](/source/Shravasti). They worshipped their [clan deity](/source/Kuladevata), [Surya](/source/Surya) (a Hindu [solar deity](/source/Solar_deity)), after whom the dynasty is named. Along with the [Lunar dynasty](/source/Lunar_dynasty), the Solar dynasty comprises one of the main lineages in [Hinduism](/source/Hinduism).[2]

According to [Jain literature](/source/Jain_literature), the first *[Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)* of Jainism, [Rishabhanatha](/source/Rishabhanatha) himself, was King Ikshvaku. Twenty-one further *Tirthankaras* were born in this dynasty.[3][4]

According to Buddhist literature, [Gautama Buddha](/source/Gautama_Buddha) descended from this dynasty.

The important personalities belonging to this royal house are [Mandhatri](/source/Mandhatri), [Muchukunda](/source/Muchukunda), [Ambarisha](/source/Ambarisha), [Bharata](/source/Bharata_(Jainism)), [Bahubali](/source/Bahubali), [Harishchandra](/source/Harishchandra), [Dilīpa](/source/Dil%C4%ABpa), [Sagara](/source/Sagara_(Vedic_king)),[5] [Raghu](/source/Raghu), [Dasharatha](/source/Dasharatha), [Rama](/source/Rama), and [Pasenadi](/source/Pasenadi). Both the Hindu [Puranas](/source/Puranas) and the [Buddhist](/source/Buddhist) texts include [Shuddodhana](/source/Suddhodana), Gautama Buddha, and [Rahula](/source/Rahula) in their accounts of the Ikshvaku dynasty but, according to the Buddhist texts, [Mahasammata](/source/Mahasammata), an ancestor of Ikshvaku who was elected by the people as the first king of the present era, was the founder of this dynasty.[6]

## Origins

Suryavamsha, or the Solar Dynasty, is one of the two major legendary [Kshatriya](/source/Kshatriya) dynasties found in Hindu Puranic and epic literature, the other being Chandravamsha or the [Lunar dynasty](/source/Lunar_dynasty). According to *Harivamsa*, [Ikshvaku](/source/Ikshvaku) is considered the primogenitor of the dynasty of, and was granted the kingdom of Aryavarta by his father [Vaivasvata Manu](/source/Shraddhadeva_Manu). Manu settled down in the [Aryavarta](/source/Aryavarta) region after he survived the great flood. [A. K. Mozumdar](/source/A._K._Mozumdar) states that Manu is the one who built a city on the [Sarayu](/source/Sarayu_River_(Ayodhya)) (being the river that his mother Sanjana was the goddess of) and called it [Ayodhya](/source/Ayodhya_(Ramayana)) meaning the 'invincible city'. This city served as the capital of many kings from the solar dynasty and is also believed to be the birthplace of [Rama](/source/Rama).[7]

Some Hindu texts suggest Rishi [Marichi](/source/Marichi), one of the seven sages and first human creations of [Brahma](/source/Brahma) as the progenitor of the dynasty. Marichi's eldest son, [Kashyapa](/source/Kashyapa), is said to have settled down in Kashmir (Kashyapa-Meru or Kashyameru). He also contributed to the verses of the Vedas. Later, [Vivasvan](/source/Vivasvan), son of Kashyapa and Aditi, famously known as the Hindu god [Surya](/source/Surya), married [Saranyu](/source/Saranyu) who was the daughter of [Vishvakarman](/source/Vishvakarman), the architect of devas. He had many children, but Manu was given the responsibility of building the civilization. As a result it formed a dynasty that was named Suryavamsha or the solar dynasty. Manu is also the progenitor of the Lunar Dynasty because he married his daughter [Ila](/source/Ila_(Hinduism)) to [Budha](/source/Budha), the son of [Chandra](/source/Chandra) or the moon god. The couple gave birth to King [Pururavas](/source/Pururavas), who became the first king of the Chandravamsha, or the Lunar dynasty.[8]

## Historical claimants

After the death of the powerful king [Prasenjit](/source/Pasenadi) and disappearance of his successor [Viḍūḍabha](/source/Vi%E1%B8%8D%C5%AB%E1%B8%8Dabha) after defeating the [Shakyas](/source/Shakya), the kingdom of [Kosala](/source/Kosala) declined. King Sumitra, who regarded himself to be the last Suryavansha ruler, was defeated by the powerful emperor [Mahapadma Nanda](/source/Mahapadma_Nanda) of [Magadha](/source/Magadha_(Mahajanapada)) in 362 BCE. However, he wasn't killed, and fled to [Rohtas](/source/Rohtas_Fort,_India), located in present-day [Bihar](/source/Bihar).[9]

## Bhagavata Purana

Ikshvaku and his ancestor Manu are also mentioned in the [Bhagavata Purana](/source/Bhagavata_Purana) (Canto 9, Chapter 1),

योऽसौ सत्यव्रतो नाम राजर्षिर्द्रविडेश्वर: । ज्ञानं योऽतीतकल्पान्ते लेभे पुरुषसेवया ॥

स वै विवस्वत: पुत्रो मनुरासीदिति श्रुतम् । त्वत्तस्तस्य सुता:प्रोक्ता इक्ष्वाकुप्रमुखा नृपा: ॥

yo ’sau satyavrato nāma rājarṣir draviḍeśvaraḥ jñānaṁ yo ’tīta-kalpānte lebhe puruṣa-sevayā

sa vai vivasvataḥ putro manur āsīd iti śrutam tvattas tasya sutāḥ proktā ikṣvāku-pramukhā nṛpāḥ

[10]

## Buddhism

The Buddhist text, [Buddhavaṃsa](/source/Buddhava%E1%B9%83sa) and [Mahāvaṃsa](/source/Mah%C4%81va%E1%B9%83sa) (II, 1–24) traces the origin of the [Shakyas](/source/Shakya) to king Okkaka (Pali equivalent to Sanskrit Ikshvaku) and gives their genealogy from Mahasammata, an ancestor of Okkaka. This list comprises the names of a number of prominent kings of the Ikshvaku dynasty, namely, [Mandhata](/source/King_Mandhata) and Sagara.[11] The genealogy according to the Mahavamsa is as follows:[12][13]

1. [Okkāka](/source/Ikshvaku)[14]
1. Okkāmukha
1. Sivisamjaya
1. Sihassara
1. Jayasena
1. [Sihahanu](/source/Sihahanu)
1. [Suddhodana](/source/%C5%9Auddhodana)
1. [Gautama Buddha](/source/Gautama_Buddha)
1. [Rāhula](/source/R%C4%81hula)

## Jainism

[Rishabhanatha](/source/Rishabhanatha), the first [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara), is identified with King Ikshvaku and the founder of the Ikshvaku dynasty. The earliest recorded reference to the Ikshvaku dynasty can be found in the *Swayambhustotra*, a Sanskrit epic poem composed by Acharya [Samantabhadra](/source/Samantabhadra_(Jain_monk)), a Jain poet originally from [Tamil Nadu](/source/Tamil_Nadu). The Swayambhustotra praises the 24 Tirthankaras, including Rishabhanatha, and mentions the lineage of the Ikshvaku dynasty:

Rishabhanatha or Ikshvaku, the first of the kings of the Ikshvaku dynasty, was the seeker of liberation, won over His senses to get established in the pure Self, independent, endured afflictions, and steadfast in His resolve. He relinquished the expanse of the faithful lady earth, clothed, as it were, up to the ocean, and embraced the noble asceticism.[15] The [Ikshvaku](/source/Ikshvaku) dynasty has a significant place in [Jainism](/source/Jainism), as twenty-two Tirthankaras were born in this dynasty.[16]

- Origin - [Rishabhanatha](/source/Rishabhanatha) (son of King [Nabhi](/source/Nabhi)), the founder of [Jainism](/source/Jainism) in the present *[Avasarpani](/source/Avsarpini)* era (descending half time cycle as per Jain cosmology and *[Manvantara](/source/Manvantara)* in hindu cosmology) is said to have founded the Ikshvaku dynasty. The name for the Ikshvaku dynasty comes from the word *ikhsu* (sugarcane), another name of Rishabhanatha,[17] because he taught people how to extract *ikshu-rasa* (sugarcane-juice).[18] - [Bharata Chakravarti](/source/Bharata_Chakravarti) (first [Chakravartin](/source/Chakravartin)) and [Bahubali](/source/Bahubali) (first [Kamadeva](/source/Kamadeva)), sons of Rishabha - [Arkakirti](/source/Surya) and [Marichi](/source/Marichi), son of [Bharata](/source/Bharata_Chakravarti)
- at the time of [Ajitanatha](/source/Ajitanatha) - Jitashatru (father of Ajitanatha) and his younger brother Sumitra (father of Sagara) - [Ajitanatha](/source/Ajitanatha) (the 2nd [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)) and [Sagara](/source/Sagara_(Vedic_king)) (2nd Chakravartin) - Janhu (eldest son of Sagara), the one who flooded village of Nagas with waters of [Ganga](/source/Ganga) leading to turning of sixty thousand sons of Sagara into ashes by Jawalanprabha (emperor of Nagas) - [Bhagiratha](/source/Bhagiratha) (eldest grandson of Sagara)
- at the time of Sambhavanatha - Jitari (father of Sambhavanatha) - [Sambhavanatha](/source/Sambhavanatha), the 3rd [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of Abhinandananatha - Sanvara (father of Abhinandananatha) - [Abhinandananatha](/source/Abhinandananatha), the 4th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of Sumatinatha - Megha (father of Sumatinatha) - [Sumatinatha](/source/Sumatinatha), the 5th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of Padmaprabha - Sidhara (father of Padmaprabha) - [Padmaprabha](/source/Padmaprabha), the 6th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of Suparshvanatha - Pratishtha (father of Suparshvanatha) - [Suparshvanatha](/source/Suparshvanatha), the 7th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of Chandraprabha - Mahasena (father of Chanraprabha) - [Chandraprabha](/source/Chandraprabha), the 8th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of Pushpadanta - Sugriva (father of Pushpadanta) - [Pushpadanta](/source/Pushpadanta), the 9th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of Shitalanatha - Dridharatha (father of Shitalnatha) - [Shitalanatha](/source/Shitalanatha), the 10th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of Shreyanasanatha - Vishnu (father of Shreyanasanatha) - [Shreyanasanatha](/source/Shreyanasanatha), the 11th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of Vasupujya - Vasupujya (father of Tirthankara Vasupujya) - [Vasupujya](/source/Vasupujya), the 12th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of Vimalanatha - [Kritavarma](/source/Kritavarma) (father of Vimalanatha) - [Vimalanatha](/source/Vimalanatha), the 13th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of Anantanatha - Simhasena (father of Anantanatha) - [Anantanatha](/source/Anantanatha), the 14th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of Dharmanatha - Bhanu (father of Dharmanatha) - [Dharmanatha](/source/Dharmanatha), the 15th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of Shantinatha - Vishvasena (father of Shantinatha) - [Shantinatha](/source/Shantinatha), the 16th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara) and 5th Chakravarti - Chakrayudha, son of Shantinatha - Kuruchandra, son of Chakrayudha[19]
- at the time of Kunthunatha - Sura (father of Kunthunatha) - [Kunthunatha](/source/Kunthunatha), the 17th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara) and 6th Chakravarti
- at the time of Aranatha - Sudarsana (father of Aranatha) - [Arahnatha](/source/Aranatha), the 18th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara) and 7th Chakravarti
- at the time of Mallinatha - Kumbha (father of Mallinatha) - [Māllīnātha](/source/M%C4%81ll%C4%ABn%C4%81tha), the 19th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of [Munisuvrata](/source/Munisuvrata) - [Dasharatha](/source/Dasharatha) (father of Rama) - [Padma/Rama](/source/Rama_in_Jainism), the 8th [Balabhadra](/source/Balabhadra) - [Lakshmana](/source/Lakshmana#Jainism), the 8th [Vasudeva](/source/Salakapurusa#Triad_of_Baladeva,_Vasudeva_and_Prativasudeva) - [Madanankusha](/source/Kusha_(Ramayana)) (son of Rama) - [Anangalavana](/source/Lava_(Ramayana)) (son of Rama)
- at the time of Naminatha - Vijaya (father of Naminatha) - [Naminatha](/source/Naminatha), the 21st [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of Parshvanatha - Asvasena (father of Parshvanatha) - [Parshvanatha](/source/Parshvanatha), the 23rd [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)
- at the time of Mahavira - [Siddhartha](/source/Siddartha_of_Kundgraam) (father of Mahavira) - [Mahavira](/source/Mahavira), the 24th [Tirthankara](/source/Tirthankara)

## Rulers

See also: [Ancestors of Rama](/source/Ancestors_of_Rama) and [List of Ikshvaku dynasty kings in Hinduism](/source/List_of_Ikshvaku_dynasty_kings_in_Hinduism)

### Suryavanshi Kings before [Rama](/source/Rama)

1. [Vaivasvata Manu](/source/Vaivasvata_Manu) or Satyavrata or [Nabhi](/source/Nabhi)[20]
1. [Ikshvaku](/source/Ikshvaku)
1. Kukshi[21] or Vikukshi[a] or Śaśāda
1. Bāna or Shakuni
1. Kakutstha or Puranjaya (Purañjaya) or Anaranya I
1. Anena (Anenā)[b]
1. Prithu (Pṛthu)
1. Vishtarashva (Viṣṭarāśva), Visvarandhi, or Viśvagandhi
1. Chandra (Cāndra-yuvanāśva)
1. Yuvanashva I (Yuvanāśva)
1. Shravasta (Śrāvasta)
1. Brihadashva (Bṛhadaśva)
1. Dhundumārashva (Dhundhumārashva) or Kuvalayashva (Kuvalayāśva)
1. Dhreedhashva (Dṛḍhāśva) or Kapilashva (Kapilāśva) or Bhadrashva (Bhadrāśva)
1. Pramoda
1. Haryashva I
1. Nikumbha
1. Baharnashva (Barhaṇāśva)
1. Giritashva
1. Amitashva (Amitāśva)
1. Krishashva (Kṛśāśva) or Akrutashva
1. Prasenajit I
1. Yuvanashva II
1. [Mandhata](/source/Mandhatri)
1. Purukutsa I (or Vasuda) and [Muchukunda](/source/Muchukunda)
1. [Ambarisha](/source/Ambarisha)
1. Trasadasyu
1. Sambhruta
1. [Anaranya](/source/Anaranya) II
1. Preeshadashva
1. Haryashva II
1. Hastya
1. Sumana
1. Tridhanva
1. Trayyaruni
1. [Trishanku](/source/Trishanku) or Satyavrata II
1. [Harishchandra](/source/Harishchandra)
1. [Rohitashva](/source/Rohitashva)
1. Harita
1. Chanchu
1. Chakshu or Sudeva
1. Vijaya
1. Ruruka or Brahuka
1. Pratapendra
1. Bruka
1. Sushandhi
1. Bahuka
1. Vrika or Bharata II
1. [Bahu](/source/Bahu_(Bahuka)) or Asita
1. [Sagara](/source/King_Sagara)
1. [Amshuman](/source/Amshuman)
1. Dilipa I
1. [Bhagiratha](/source/Bhagiratha)
1. Suhotra
1. Shruti
1. Kukutsa II
1. Raghu I
1. Nabhaga
1. Ambarisha II
1. Shindhudvipa
1. Ayutayu
1. Pratayu
1. [Rituparna](/source/Rituparna)
1. Sarvakama I
1. Sudasa
1. [Kalmashapada](/source/Kalmashapada)
1. Asmaka (Aśmaka)
1. Mulaka or Sarvakama II
1. Dasharatha I
1. Ilibil or Ananaranya III
1. Vishvamashaha
1. Nidhna
1. Animitra (Anamitra)
1. Duliduh or Mūlaka
1. [Dilipa II](/source/Dil%C4%ABpa) or Dirghabhahu or Khaṭvāṅga
1. [Raghu II](/source/Raghu)
1. [Aja](/source/Aja_of_Kosala)
1. [Dasharatha](/source/Dasharatha) II
1. [Bharata](/source/Bharata_(Ramayana)) III
1. [Lord Rama](/source/Rama)

### Suryavanshi Kings after [Rama](/source/Rama)

1. [Kusha](/source/Kusha_(Ramayana)) and [Lava](/source/Lava_(Ramayana))
1. Atithi
1. Nishadha
1. Nala II
1. Nabhas
1. Paundrika
1. Kshemadhanva
1. Devanika
1. Ahinagu
1. Ruru
1. Pariyatra
1. Sala
1. Dala
1. Bala
1. Uktha
1. Sahasrasva
1. Para II
1. Chandravaloka
1. Rudraksh
1. Chandragiri
1. Banuchandra
1. Srutayu
1. Uluka
1. Unnabha
1. Vajranabha
1. Sankhana
1. Vyusitasva
1. Visvasaha
1. Hiranyanabha Kausalya
1. Para III
1. Brahmistha
1. Putra
1. Pusya
1. Arthasidhi
1. Dhruvasandhi
1. Sudarsana
1. Agnivarna
1. Sighraga
1. Maru
1. Parsusruta
1. Susandhi
1. Amarsana
1. Mahasvana
1. Sahasvana
1. Visrutvana
1. Visvabhava
1. Visvasahva
1. [Nagnajit](/source/Nagnajit)
1. [Brihadbala](/source/Brihadbala)

## See also

- [Hinduism](/source/Hinduism)
- [Kosala Kingdom](/source/Kosala_Kingdom)
- [Ramayana](/source/Ramayana)
- [Rama](/source/Rama)
- [Ikshvaku](/source/Ikshvaku)
- [Lunar dynasty](/source/Lunar_dynasty)
- [List of Hindu empires and dynasties](/source/List_of_Hindu_empires_and_dynasties)
- [List of Jain states and dynasties](/source/List_of_Jain_states_and_dynasties)

## Notes

1. Vikukshi is the son of Kukshi in the Balakanda.

1. also depicted as son of Vikukshi

## References

1. Debroy, Bibek (25 October 2017). [*The Valmiki Ramayana, Volume 3*](https://books.google.com/books?id=oLU8DwAAQBAJ&q=king+sumitra+mahapadma+nanda&pg=PT14). Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 9789387326286.

1. Zimmer 1952, p. 218

1. Jain, Champat Rai (1929). ["Riṣabha Deva, the Founder of Jainism"](https://books.google.com/books?id=OGsrAAAAIAAJ&q=Rishabhanatha+founder+of+Jainism)

1. Zimmer 1952, p. 220

1. [Ikshaku tribe](https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03106.htm) [The Mahabharata](/source/Mahabharata) translated by [Kisari Mohan Ganguli](/source/Kisari_Mohan_Ganguli) (1883 -1896), Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CVI, **p. 228** 'There was born in the family of the **Ikshaku**, a ruler of the earth named **Sagara**, endued with beauty, and strength...".

1. Malalasekera, G. P. (2007 [1937]). [*Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names: A-Dh*](https://books.google.com/books?id=up5O9zrSX80C&q=Okkaka&pg=PA461). Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 461–2. ISBN 978-81-208-3021-9.

1. A.K.Mazumdar 2008, p. 161.

1. A.K.Mazumdar 2008, p. 159.

1. Debroy, Bibek (25 October 2017). [*The Valmiki Ramayana, Volume 3*](https://books.google.com/books?id=oLU8DwAAQBAJ&q=king+sumitra+mahapadma+nanda&pg=PT14). Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 9789387326286.

1. ["ŚB 9.1.2-3"](https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/9/1/2-3/). *vedabase.io*. Retrieved 2021-02-04.

1. Law, B.C. (1973). *Tribes in Ancient India*, Bhandarkar Oriental Series No.4, Poona: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, p.246

1. Misra, V.S. (2007). *Ancient Indian Dynasties*, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, ISBN 81-7276-413-8, p.286

1. Geiger, Wilhelm (tr.) (1912). ["Mahavamsa, Chapter II"](https://lakdiva.org/mahavamsa/chap002.html). Ceylon Government Information Dept., Colombo (in lakdvia.org website). Retrieved 2009-10-26.

1. ["Okkāka"](http://www.palikanon.com/english/pali_names/o/okkaaka.htm). Palikanon. Retrieved 2019-08-13.

1. ["Svayambhūstotra (स्वयम्भूस्तोत्र)"](https://archive.org/details/Svayambhu/page/n29/mode/1up). 2015.

1. Jain 1991, p. 2.

1. Jain 1991, p. 5.

1. Shah 2004, p. 15.

1. Shah, Chandraprakash, ["Shri Shantinatha, 16th Tirthankara"](http://www.jainsamaj.org/rpg_site/literature2.php?id=1403&cat=42)

1. Doniger, Wendy (ed.) (1993), [*Purana Perennis: Reciprocity and Transformation in Hindu and Jaina Texts*](https://books.google.com/books?id=-kZFzHCuiFAC), [State University of New York Press](/source/State_University_of_New_York_Press), ISBN 0-7914-1381-0

1. [Ramayana](/source/Ramayana), [Balakanda](/source/Balakanda),verse 70

## Sources

- Zimmer, Heinrich (1952), [*Philosophies of India*](https://archive.org/details/Philosophy.of.India.by.Heinrich.Zimmer), Joseph Campbell (ed.), [London](/source/London): Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd, ISBN 978-81-208-0739-6
- Shah, Natubhai (2004), [*Jainism: The World of Conquerors*](https://books.google.com/books?id=qLNQKGcDIhsC), [Motilal Banarsidass](/source/Motilal_Banarsidass), ISBN 978-81-208-1938-2
- Jain, Kailash Chand (1991), [*Lord Mahavira and his times*](https://books.google.com/books?id=8-TxcO9dfrcC), [Delhi](/source/Delhi): [Motilal Banarsidass](/source/Motilal_Banarsidass), ISBN 978-81-208-0805-8
- A.K.Mazumdar (2008). *The Hindu history*. Rupa Publications India. ISBN 978-81-86772-17-1.

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