A city famous as the capital of the Suryavanshi kings. All the kings of the Ikshvaku dynasty ruled from here. Vasishta came to Ayodhya during the reign of the king Kanmashapada, who was the 35th king of the dynasty. One, when Kanmashapada had gone to the jungles for a hunt, he had an argument with Vasishta, who turned him into a rakshasa. After the curse had been lifted, the king asked Vasishta for forgiveness and they became good friends. As per the king’s request, Vasishta came to Ayodhya. The king Ashmaka was born to Vasishta and Kanmashapada’s wife. Vasishta visited Ayodhya regularly and became the guru of the Ikshvaku dynasty. Ayodhya prospered till the time of Rama, after which its decline started. Both the Mahabharata and the Brahmandapurana mention Ayodhya. (also see Kosala)

The father of king Rituparna, as per Bhagavata Navamaskanda. See Ikshvaku clan for antecedents.

A king who ruled for a thousand years. As per Bhagavata, Matsyapurana and Vayupurana, he was the son of Shrutashravas.

A Puruvanshi king, and son of Bhauma and Suyajna. He was married to Kama and their son was called Akrodha. As per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 95 verses 19-21, he got the name by conducting ten thousand purushamedha yajnas.

See Guruparampara.

A son of Kashyapa and Danu,as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 65 verse 23. He was later born as Ayashanku.

An asura, who was reborn as a prince of the Kekaya kingdom, as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 67 verse 10.

A place in ancient India, as per Mahabharata Bhishmaparva Chapter 9 verse 5.

A son of Nahusha, and brother of Yayati, as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 75 verse 30.

One of the two daughters of Vasudeva and Jana, as per Padmapurana.