Aja (Hindu mythology)

In Hindu mythology, Aja (Tamil: Achan, Thai: Achaban, Malay: Dasarata Raman) is the son of king Raghu, and thus a scion of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who claimed descent from the sun god Surya. His paternal grandfather was the pious king Dileepa. King Aja's consort was the heavenly nymph Indumati; they were the parents of King Dasaratha of Ayodhya, who was the father of Rama.

The classical Indian poet Kalidasa has elaborated upon the lives and careers of the kings Dileepa, Raghu and Aja in his work entitled Raghuvamsha (literally: "Dynasty of Raghu"). This is significant as these rulers were the immediate forbears of Rama.

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