Story of Ikswaku

 Srimad Bhagavatam - Story of Ikswaku and Puranjaya (Kakustha)

       

Who is Ikswaku, and why did he exile his son Vikuksi? Why was Puranjaya named kakutstha?

Ikswaku is the son of Vaivaswata Manu. Ikswaku had 100 sons, and Vikuksi was the eldest. He retained central Aryavatha (land lying between the Vindhya range and the Himalayas) and distributed remaining land among his sons.

Once, Ikswaku asked his son Vikuksi to bring flesh for the ceremony (Shraddha). Vikuksi agreed and went to the forest. Having killed some animals fit for the ceremony, he thoughtlessly roasted and ate some flesh of hare as he was fatigued and hungry.

Bringing back the remaining flesh, he handed over to his father. Sage Vasistha rejected the offering as it had been contaminated by eating beforehand. Ikswaku was very angry with his son's behavior and exiled him from his kingdom.  

The king Ikswaku chose the path of Jnanayoga (with the help of his preceptor Sage Vasishta) and cast off his body.

On the death of King Ikswaku, Vikuksi was called by Sage Vasishta to become the king. However, the people did not accept him for having violated the prescribed norms. He was known as Sasada (devourer of a hare).

Puranjaya is the son of Vikuksi. Puranjaya was requested by the gods to join them in the fight against demons. Protected by celestial bow and armour, Puranjaya was eager to fight. At the instance of Srihari, Indra assumed the firm of a gigantic bull and Puranjaya rode on the hump of the bull.   

Puranjaya fought ferociously and dispatched the demons to Yama's abode. The remaining demons fled to Patala. He earned the title Kakutstha (one who rode on the hump of a bull) and Indravaha.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana