Raghu
The Great King of the Solar Line
A king so mighty and generous that the whole dynasty took his name - that's why Rama is called "Raghava" and "Raghunatha."
- Sanskrit/Telugu name: రఘు మహారాజు
- Also known as: Raghu Maharaja
- Symbols: Bow, Empty treasury turned to gold
Story
Raghu was one of the greatest kings of the solar dynasty - so great that from his time on, the whole family was proudly called the Raghuvamsha, "the line of Raghu." He conquered in every direction, but what made him legendary was his giving. After one grand ceremony, Raghu donated everything he owned - everything! - until he was left eating from clay vessels like the poorest man in his kingdom. Just then a young student named Kautsa arrived, needing fourteen crore gold coins to pay his guru. Raghu had nothing left - so he decided to wage war on Kubera, the god of wealth himself, rather than turn away someone in need! Kubera, hearing this, quietly rained gold coins into Raghu's treasury overnight. Raghu gave Kautsa every coin. That is the standard of generosity Rama inherited - and it's why Rama's sweetest names, the ones we sing in every bhajan, are Raghava, Raghunatha, and Raghupati: "descendant of Raghu."
Fun fact
In the bhajan "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram," the first two words are really just saying "Rama of Raghu's family" twice - that's how proud the dynasty was of this one ancestor.
Family and connections
- Child: Aja