Antecedents: Vishnu – Brahma – Marichi – Kashyapa – Vivasvan – Vaivasvatamanu – Ikshvaku – Vikukshi -Shashada – Puranjaya – Kukulstha.

Rama is also known as Kakulstha since he was born in the same dynasty.

Kukulstha ruled from Ayodhya. A war between devas and asuras took place during that time. The asuras under Suryaketu won. The devas, as per Vishnu’s advice, approached Kukulstha. Kukulstha was happy to see Indra and the devas in Ayodhya but said that he would help them only if Indra became his vehicle. Indra, though reluctant, took the form of a bull. Kukulstha rode into battle on the bull and defeated the asuras. It was only then that he came to be known as Kukulstha or Indravahana or Puranjaya as per Devibhagavata Saptamaskanda.