1. Overview
Ikshvaku, known in Sanskrit as IkṣvākuSanskrit and in Pali as OkkākaPali, is a pivotal legendary king in Indian religions, prominently featured in Hindu and Jain scriptures, and also recognized in Buddhism. He is revered as the first monarch of the Kosala Kingdom and the progenitor of the Ikshvaku dynasty, often referred to as the Suryavamsha or Solar Dynasty, with its ancient capital at Ayodhya.
Ikshvaku is traditionally depicted as one of the ten sons of Shraddhadeva Manu, who is regarded as the progenitor of humanity on Earth. His lineage is central to various religious traditions, as Rama, a significant avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism, and Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, are all believed to have descended from the Ikshvaku dynasty. Across these traditions, Ikshvaku is often remembered as a just and wise ruler, foundational to the concept of "World Emperors" in ancient Bharatawarsha, encompassing modern-day India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
2. Origins and Genealogy
Ikshvaku's origins are deeply rooted in Hindu cosmology, tracing back to divine and semi-divine ancestors before his establishment of the earthly Ikshvaku dynasty.
2.1. Lineage
The lineage of Ikshvaku is described in various Hindu texts, establishing his descent from the highest cosmic principles. The genealogy typically begins with Brahma, the creator god. From Brahma, the sage Marichi was born. Marichi's son was Kashyapa, a revered Vedic sage. Kashyapa, through his union with Aditi, fathered Vivasvat, also known as Surya, the Sun God.
Vivasvat's son was Shraddhadeva Manu, also known as Vaivasvata Manu, who is considered the progenitor of the current human race. According to some accounts, Shraddhadeva Manu was born from the womb of Sanjna or emerged from Manu's nostril when he sneezed. Shraddhadeva Manu's wife, Shraddha, gave birth to ten sons, among whom Ikshvaku was the eldest, alongside other notable sons such as Nriga. This established Ikshvaku as a central figure in the early human dynasties, inheriting wisdom and lineage directly from the solar deity.
2.2. Theories on Origin
The ethnic or cultural origins of the Ikshvakus have been a subject of academic debate among scholars, offering different interpretations beyond mythological accounts.
Some theories, particularly those drawn from ancient texts like the Atharvaveda and Brahmanas, associate the Ikshvakus with non-Aryan peoples, distinguishing them from the Aryan groups who composed the hymns of the four Vedas. For instance, F. E. Pargiter posited that the Ikshvakus were equated with the Dravidians. Building on this, scholars such as Franciscus Kuiper, Manfred Mayrhofer, and Bryan Geoffrey Levman suggest that the name "Ikshvaku" might be derived from a Munda language, indicating a possible Austro-Asiatic Munda origin. Levman states that "The founder of the Sakya clan, King Ikṣvāku (OkkākaPali) has a Munda name, suggesting that the Sakyas were at least bilingual. Many of the Sakya village names are believed to be non-Indo-Aryan in origin, and the very word for town or city (`nagara`) is of Dravidian stock." This perspective suggests that the Shakya clan, who trace their ancestry to Ikshvaku and to which Gautama Buddha belonged, might have been at least bilingual, with some of their village names believed to be of non-Indo-Aryan origin. Even the word for town or city, `nagara`, is thought to be of Dravidian stock.
However, these interpretations are not universally accepted. Counter-arguments propose that the Ikshvakus were indeed Aryan. G. S. Ghurye, for example, argued that the Ikshvakus were Aryan horsemen who must have arrived in the Indian subcontinent before the Aryans who composed the Rigveda. Furthermore, some Brahmana texts state that the Ikshvakus were a line of princes descended from the Purus, who are themselves described in the Rigveda as one of the Aryan tribes. Supporting this view, the Rigveda mentions Mandhatri, an Ikshvaku ruler, as having annihilated the Dasyus and seeking assistance from the Ashvins, the divine physicians of the Vedic religion, which points to their involvement in conflicts typical of Aryan narratives.
3. Founding of the Ikshvaku Dynasty
Ikshvaku is credited with establishing one of the most prominent and enduring dynasties in ancient India, the Ikshvaku dynasty, also known as the Suryavamsha or Solar Dynasty. He founded this kingdom in the ancient land of Kosala, located in what is now Uttar Pradesh, along the Sarayu River. The capital city of this kingdom was Ayodhya, which became a significant historical and religious center. Ikshvaku's reign is depicted as the beginning of a powerful and just rule that set the foundations for future generations of legendary kings.
3.1. Descendants and Branch Dynasties
Ikshvaku's progeny played a crucial role in the expansion and diversification of his lineage, leading to the establishment of several significant branch dynasties across ancient India.
According to various Puranic accounts, Ikshvaku had a hundred sons. Among these, the most distinguished were Vikukshi (also known as Shashada), Nimi, and Danda (also known as Dandaka).
There are two primary narratives regarding the distribution of his sons:
- The first theory states that after Ikshvaku, his eldest son Vikukshi succeeded him as the ruler of Ayodhya, inheriting the main lineage of the Ikshvaku dynasty. Of the remaining sons, fifty established themselves as kings in the northern regions of India, while forty-eight became princes ruling in the southern territories. Additionally, another prominent son, Nimi, ventured eastward and founded the Videha Kingdom, establishing a distinct branch of the Ikshvaku lineage.
- The second theory also confirms Vikukshi as the eldest son and inheritor of the main throne but presents a different distribution for the other descendants. According to this account, fifteen of Vikukshi's sons ruled to the north of Mount Meru, while an astonishing one hundred and fourteen of his sons governed territories to the south of Mount Meru.
A notable incident involving Vikukshi is recounted in the Vishnu Purana. During an ancestral rite known as Ashtaka, King Ikshvaku instructed Vikukshi to procure suitable flesh for the offering. Vikukshi went into the forest, hunted numerous deer and other game, but, exhausted by his efforts, consumed a hare from his catch. Upon returning with the rest of the animals, Vashistha, the family priest of the Ikshvaku dynasty, declared the offering impure because Vikukshi had eaten a portion of the meat, rendering it a residue. Offended by his son's act, Ikshvaku disowned Vikukshi. However, after Ikshvaku's demise, the rule of Bhuloka (the earthly realm) eventually passed to Vikukshi, who was later succeeded by his own son, Puranjaya.
4. Portrayal in Indian Religions
Ikshvaku holds a significant place across the major Indian religions, with each tradition integrating him into its narratives, emphasizing different aspects of his legendary life and lineage.
4.1. In Hinduism
In Hindu religious texts, Ikshvaku is primarily depicted as an ancient and revered ancestor, whose lineage forms the foundation of key mythological narratives and epic tales.
4.1.1. Vedic Literature
Ikshvaku is mentioned in some of the most ancient Hindu scriptures, indicating his early presence in Indian mythology. His name appears once in the Rig Veda, specifically in Mandala 10, hymn 60, verse 4. The hymn states: "Him in whose service flourishes Iksvaku, rich and dazzling-bright. -As the Five Tribes that are in heaven." He is also mentioned in the Atharvaveda, in hymn 19.39, verse 9, where he appears to be connected with Manu, further emphasizing his ancient and foundational role in the mythological framework. These early mentions underscore his significance in the proto-historical or mythological narratives that shaped the Vedic tradition.
4.1.2. Epic and Puranic Literature
Ikshvaku's role becomes more elaborated in the later epic and Puranic literature, particularly as the ancestor of Rama, the protagonist of the Ramayana.
In the Ramayana, the sage Agastya explains Ikshvaku's origin to Rama. Agastya narrates that in ancient times in the golden age, Lord Manu was the ruler of the Earth. Manu then placed his eldest son, the invincible Ikshvaku, on the throne, telling him, "Become the founder of royal dynasties in the world!" Manu, greatly delighted, added, "I am pleased with you, O Noble One, undoubtedly you shalt found a dynasty but, whilst ruling your subjects with firmness, never punish any who is without fault! A punishment meted out to the guilty according to the law is instrumental in conducting a monarch to heaven, therefore, O Long-armed Hero, O Dear Child, exercise extreme care in wielding the sceptre, this is your supreme duty on earth." Having repeatedly counseled his son, Manu joyfully repaired to the eternal abode of Brahma.
The Vishnu Purana provides further details, stating that Ikshvaku miraculously emerged from the nostril of Manu when Manu sneezed. This text also elaborates on Ikshvaku's hundred sons, highlighting Vikukshi, Nimi, and Danda as the most distinguished. It recounts that fifty of his sons became kings of the northern nations, while forty-eight were princes ruling in the south, contributing to the spread of his dynasty across the subcontinent. The Vishnu Purana also describes the incident where Ikshvaku disowned Vikukshi after the latter consumed a hare intended for an ancestral offering, which was deemed impure by the priest Vashistha, though Vikukshi later inherited the throne.
4.2. In Jainism
In Jain literature, Ikshvaku holds immense significance, primarily through his identification with the first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha. Jain texts assert that Tirthankara Rishabhanatha is, in essence, King Ikshvaku. This connection elevates Ikshvaku's status beyond a mere monarch to a spiritual pioneer.
The Jain tradition further maintains that nearly all of the other twenty-two Tirthankaras, with the exceptions of the 20th Tirthankara Munisuvrata and the 22nd Tirthankara Neminatha, descended from the Ikshvaku lineage or one of its branched lines. This belief firmly roots the entire spiritual succession of Jainism within the framework of Ikshvaku's royal ancestry.
Associated with Rishabhanatha, and by extension Ikshvaku, is a significant "sugarcane" legend. Rishabhanatha was the first individual in the current era to embrace asceticism and wander as a mendicant. As he had no prior experience with begging, people were unsure how to offer him alms. Eventually, Prince Shreyansa, recalling a past life, offered Rishabhanatha sugarcane juice as alms. This event is commemorated annually on the third day of the bright half of the month of Vaishakha through a religious observance known as Akshaya Tritiya, symbolizing the commencement of the practice of giving alms to ascetics.
4.3. In Buddhism
Buddhist tradition also acknowledges Ikshvaku, though often under his Pali name, OkkākaPali, or his Chinese name, 甘蔗王Gānzhè WángChinese (Sugarcane King). The Shakya clan, to which Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, belonged, is believed to have directly descended from Ikshvaku. This ancestral link provides a royal and ancient lineage for the Buddha himself.
The portrayal of Ikshvaku as the "Sugarcane King" is elaborated in some Buddhist scriptures, such as the *Buddhacarita* or the *Avadanasataka*. One legend recounts that a king, sometimes referred to as the Great Rushgrass King (大茅草王), abdicated his throne to become an ascetic. During his ascetic life, he was mistakenly shot and killed by a hunter who mistook him for a swan. From the blood that fell to the ground, two sugarcane stalks grew, from which a boy and a girl emerged. The boy was subsequently enthroned, becoming known as the Sugarcane King, thereby linking the origin of the Shakya clan to this miraculous event and to the symbolic power of sugarcane.
5. Legacy and Significance
Ikshvaku's enduring legacy is profound, permeating the foundational narratives of Indian mythology, religious thought, and cultural identity. As the mythical progenitor of the Suryavamsha, his reign signifies the establishment of a just and powerful lineage from which many revered figures across Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism derive their ancestry. His story symbolizes the beginning of enlightened rule and the interconnectedness of royal and spiritual lines in ancient India, reflecting his symbolic importance as a source of both earthly sovereignty and spiritual purity.
5.1. Meaning of the Name
The name 'Ikshvaku' itself carries symbolic weight, particularly through its linguistic roots. The component 'Ikshu' (इक्षुSanskrit) in Sanskrit primarily means 'sugarcane'. This etymological connection is highly significant, as it links Ikshvaku directly to the "sugarcane" legends found in both Jainism and Buddhism. In Jainism, the first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha (identified with Ikshvaku), is associated with the event of receiving sugarcane juice as his first alms, which is celebrated as Akshaya Tritiya. In Buddhism, Ikshvaku is explicitly known as the "Sugarcane King" (甘蔗王), and his lineage, the Shakya clan, traces its origins to a miraculous birth from sugarcane plants.
It is important to note that while "sugarcane" is the most common and symbolically rich interpretation, the name 'Ikshvaku' in some contexts, such as in the Thai tradition, is also interpreted as meaning a "creeper" or "gourd plant" (Coccinia grandis). This alternative interpretation, meaning ต้นขี้กาเทศThorn Gourd treeThai, suggests a broader botanical association for the name, though the sugarcane meaning remains central to the prominent religious legends. This dual etymological understanding further enriches the symbolic implications of his name and its connection to various natural elements.