अज
**Aja**, a noble king of the **Solar Dynasty**, stands in the lineage of great rulers, celebrated for their strength, virtue, and adherence to dharma. As the son of **Nabhaga** and the father of **Dasharatha**, Aja occupies a central position in the illustrious family tree that includes legendary figures like **Lord Rama**, his grandson. Known for his righteousness and wisdom, Aja ruled over the kingdom of **Ayodhya**, upholding the ideals of dharma that defined the Ikshvaku lineage.
### Aja’s Marriage to Indumati
A significant tale in Aja’s life revolves around his marriage to **Indumati**, the daughter of **King Bhoja** of the **Vidarbha** kingdom. The tale of their union is filled with celestial involvement. It is said that during a swayamvara (self-choice ceremony), where Indumati was to choose her husband from a gathering of kings, she walked down the line of royals without showing interest. When her gaze fell upon Aja, she was instantly captivated, and she placed the garland on him, choosing him as her husband. Their marriage, celebrated with great festivity, symbolized a harmonious bond, filled with mutual respect and admiration.
### The Story of Narada’s Garland
In another version of their story, the divine sage **Narada** played a unique role in their union. Narada once presented a celestial garland, blessed by **Lord Vishnu**, to Bhoja, advising him that the garland would lead his daughter, Indumati, to the most deserving prince. During the swayamvara, as Indumati held the garland and walked past other kings, she reached Aja and felt a divine connection, fulfilling Narada’s prophecy. Their marriage was not only one of earthly significance but was also seen as orchestrated by divine will.
### The Curse and Passing of Indumati
Aja’s life was marked by both joy and sorrow. The love between Aja and Indumati was deep and unwavering, but it came to a tragic end. Indumati’s death was sudden and deeply affected Aja. According to the **Padma Purana**, as they were walking in the palace garden, a celestial garland fell from the heavens. This garland, it is said, struck Indumati, who collapsed and passed away. Unknown to Aja, Indumati was, in fact, a celestial nymph (an **apsara**) cursed to live on earth until she fulfilled her karmic duties. With her time on earth completed, the garland was her release from the curse, and her soul returned to her celestial abode. Aja was heartbroken and mourned her loss profoundly, as he had lost his beloved partner and queen.
### Legacy of Aja and Connection to Rama
Aja’s devotion to dharma and his love for Indumati profoundly influenced the kingdom of Ayodhya. His son **Dasharatha** inherited his father’s wisdom, strength, and values, later becoming the father of **Rama**, the seventh avatar of **Lord Vishnu**. The virtues Aja instilled in Dasharatha would become the foundational values passed to Rama, embodying the qualities that made him revered as **Maryada Purushottama** (the Ideal Man).
| **Aja’s Life** | **Key Events and Relations** |
|—————-|——————————|
| **Lineage** | Son of Nabhaga, Father of Dasharatha, Grandfather of Rama |
| **Marriage** | Married Indumati, daughter of King Bhoja, in a swayamvara |
| **Divine Orchestration** | Narada’s involvement with the garland led to their union |
| **Tragic Loss** | Indumati’s sudden death due to a celestial curse |
| **Legacy** | Righteousness and wisdom passed down through Dasharatha to Rama |
Thus, **Aja** remains a figure of devotion, a king marked by loyalty, virtue, and sorrow. His legacy is reflected in the ideals of the Ikshvaku dynasty, forming the foundation for Rama’s life and his adherence to dharma, which ultimately defined the epic **Ramayana** and its teachings on righteous living. Aja’s story, though lesser-known, contributes richly to the grandeur of the Solar Dynasty, showcasing a lineage where even human struggles are interwoven with the divine and the cosmic.