Chapter summary
रघुवंशकथा Raghuvaṃśa Kathā
The Story of the Raghu Dynasty
**The revered Sadguru said:**
King Ikṣvāku, a paramount devotee, received the primal Lord, Śrī Ranganātha [the Lord who rests in Srirangam], as his cherished deity. Day after day, he and his brothers offered Him their devout worship. His youngest brother, Kavi, a poet who had mastered his senses, naturally ascended the path of Yoga through his worship of the primal Lord Nārāyaṇa, whose eyes resemble lotus petals and who reposes in Srirangam. (v.1-2)
King Śaryāti’s daughter, Sukanyā, a devout worshipper of Hari, was blessed by Śrī Ranganātha’s grace and thus obtained the great sage Cyavana as her husband. Ambarīṣa, son of King Nābhāga, was another devoted servant of Hari. When the wrathful sage Durvāsā cursed him, Śrī Ranganātha Himself became his protector. (v.3-4)
Similarly, King Yuvanāśva, by performing a sacrifice and worshipping Ranganātha, was blessed with a son of unfailing valor, who became renowned throughout the three worlds as Māndhātā. Māndhātā’s fifty virtuous daughters, through their worship of the primal Lord of Raṅga, all attained the sage Saubhari as their husband, thereby achieving complete good fortune and happiness. (v.5-6)
Alas, King Saudāsa was transformed into a Rākṣasa [a demonic being] due to a curse from the sage Vasiṣṭha. Yet, his queen, Madayantī, through her unwavering devotion, worshipped the Lord of Raṅga and thus protected her husband. (v.7)
Sagara, by worshipping the Lord of Raṅga, was blessed with sixty thousand sons. The vast ocean, which they created, continues to bring fame to his dynasty in this world even to this day. (v.8)
Bhagīratha, a foremost devotee, worshipped the enchanting form of the Lord of Raṅga. With profound reverence, he brought down the celestial river Mandākinī [the Gaṅgā], whose mere touch purifies all beings. (v.9)
King Khaṭvāṅga, his heart overflowing with devotion for the lotus feet of the Lord of Raṅga, renounced all worldly desires in a single moment. Remembering Hari, he ultimately attained liberation. (v.10)
Alarka, renowned for his truthfulness, once offered his very eyes to the priest of his enemy. By the boundless grace of Śrī Ranganātha, he not only regained his sight but also achieved the supreme spiritual state. (v.11)
Kakutstha, famed throughout the world, vanquished demons through the divine power of the Lord of Raṅga. Riding Indra, who had assumed the form of a bull, he was revered even in heaven by the gods themselves. (v.12)
King Dilīpa, following the counsel of Vasiṣṭha, first obtained a son solely through the potent grace of the Lord of Raṅga, further enhanced by his devoted worship of the divine cow [Nandinī, daughter of Surabhi]. (v.13)
King Raghu, son of Dilīpa, a steadfast great soul, worshipped the Lord of Raṅga as his chosen deity. He then embarked upon the conquest of all directions and achieved victory everywhere he went. (v.14)
King Aja, too, by worshipping the divine Lord Bhagavān, the Lord of Raṅga, was blessed with a son of renowned valor throughout the three worlds—a son whom Hari Himself chose to have as His father [referring to Daśaratha, father of Rāma]. (v.15)
What kings on earth, having worshipped Ranganātha with devotion, have not seen their desires fulfilled? Truly, this Ranganātha is an ocean of mercy, a veritable wish-fulfilling tree. (v.16)
Thus concludes the fifteenth chapter, "The Story of the Raghu Dynasty," in the Fourth Part of the *Divya Deśa Vaibhavam*, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
