When people think about Lord Rama’s family, they often begin with King Dasharatha, the ruler of Ayodhya and father of Rama. But according to Hindu traditions and texts such as the Ramayana, Puranas and Raghuvamsha, Lord Rama belonged to a much older and illustrious royal lineage that stretched back through many generations. This was not merely a family tree of kings. It was a lineage associated with duty, sacrifice, wisdom and righteous governance. From Vaivasvata Manu and King Ikshvaku to Sagara, Bhagiratha and Raghu, each ruler added a chapter to a tradition that ultimately led to the birth of Lord Rama.
