Hi freinds, now that Dussehra and Diwali are round the corner, let's recall Valmiki Ramayana that is a great epic from India. We will read it chapter by chapter slowly giving it time to sink in.
RAGHU VANSHA
It was a cool morning. The breeze felt refreshing on his face. The sky was clear and sun was about to begin its journey for the day.
There was a freshness everywhere and everyone looked cheerful as Ayodhya woke up to another day.
Dashratha left his bed and looked out of his palace window. Suddenly his eyes fell on a man going to the fields holding his small son’s hand. Dashratha’s eyes moistened. He had everything in life except for a heir.
Dashratha turned around to take a look at the illustrious tree of Raghu Vansha which his court painter had very painstakingly painted on the wall.
The great illustrious king Dashratha, descended from the family of great kings belonging to Surya Vansha(Solar dynasty). Surya Vansha began with the legendary king Manu. Manu was the son of Surya, the Sun God and the first ruler of mankind.
Ikshvaku was Manu’s eldest son. He built the magnificent city of Ayodhya on the banks of the holy river Sarayu and made it the capital of the kingdom of Kosala. It was a beautiful city so none of the descendants of Surya Vansha ever thought of changing their capital. Manu’s dynasty has many jewels in the form of great descendants who ruled Ayodhya for many years. After Manu, Surya Vansha saw the famous and glorious kings like Satyavadi Harishchandra, Sagar, Asmanjas, Anshuman, Bhagiratha, Dileep, Raghu, Aja, Dashratha and the great Lord Rama himself.
Over the years, Surya Vansha came to be known as Raghu Vansha after the great grandfather of Rama. King Raghu was a kind hearted king. During Sarva Dakshina Yagya, a special vedic ritual in which everything that the worshipper possesses is donated by him to the poor and needy, King Raghu gave away everything in charity except the clothes on his body.
Rama’s father, king Dashratha was Raghu’s grandson. He had inherited all the noble virtues of his grandfather. Dashratha took Solar dynasty to great heights. His wealth surpassed that of Indra and Kuber put together. He was powerful yet compassionate and merciful. His kingdom prospered and his subjects praised him enormously.
