Home > Society > Religion in India > Aja
Aja
`Aja` means the unborn and it is also the proper name of a mythical prince, the father of Dasaratha.

Share this Article:

The term `Aja` means the unborn and it is also the proper name of a mythical prince. The unborn or Aja is associated with the name of Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu and also of Kama or Cupid. Aja is also the name of Raghu and father of Dasaratha.

The story of Aja is taken from the Raghuvansa of Kalidasa. The childhood and youth of Aja are described in glowing terms. In good time, he was sent by his father to the Swayamvara of the princess Indumati Devi, daughter of the Raja of Vidarbha. On their way, they were taking rest when the camp was disturbed by a wild elephant. Aja ordered to shoot the elephant. As soon as he was the elephant was pierced by an arrow, a figure of great magnificence emerged from the body of the elephant. This figure then told that he was formerly a gandharva but for mocking a holy Rishi, he was cursed to be born in an insane elephant. Later, when he begged for mercy, he was told that he would be released by the son of Raghu Maharaja called Aja on his way to be married. He then gave Aja the arrows used by the gandharvas and instructed him how to use them.

When Aja arrived at the capital of Vidarbharaya, he was welcomed with great respect and was selected amongst all the assembled princes by the fair Indumati Devi. She informed her choice by herself putting the garland on the neck of Aja. Aja obtained a complete victory by means of the arrows received from the gandharva. Returning to his father`s kingdom along with his beautiful bride, he took over the throne and reigned prudently for many years. Then, he was blessed with a son named Dasaratha, the father of Rama. After his birth, his beloved wife Indumati Devi was killed by the fall of Narada`s garland, when asleep in an arbor of the summer palace. Aja is said to have ascended to Indra`s paradise, leaving his body between the rivers Ganges and Sarayu.


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in Religion in India

Religion in Indus Valley Civilization
Religion in Indus Valley Civilisation included Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Details about the religion in Indus Valley Civilization have been gathered from archaeological artefacts.
Shaivism Religion
Shaivism is the second largest “religious community” in modern India with its roots deeply seated in the Hindu Vedic belief.
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is among the more popular denominations of Hinduism, with its own distinctive ideas about spirituality and morality. Vaishnavism concentrates on worshipping god Vishnu and of his incarnations.
Hinduism Religion
Hinduism is more of a philosophy which is a way of living according to the understanding of the principles of Vedas and Upanishads.
Islam
Islam is a religion that beliefs in Allah as the one and only God and creator of the Universe. Islamic law or Sharia is characterised by the five pillars of Islam which comprise the essential duties of every Muslim.
Christianity
Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and it is the largest religion in the world.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy that encompasses a wide variety of beliefs, practices and traditions that are chiefly based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and its later disciples.
Jainism
Jainism chronologically preceded the religion of Buddhism. It is considered as one of the oldest religions of India. Jainism in India shared with Hinduism and Buddhism. It is an integral part of South Asian religious belief and practice, but it is not a Hindu sect and not a Buddhist heresy, as earlier scholars believed.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, closely related to Judaism, Christianity and Islam was founded by Zoroaster.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a religion started by Guru Nanak in land of Punjab in 15th century A.D.
Iyer Brahmin
Iyer Brahmins are originally from Tamil Nadu of South India. The Iyers have always taken an interest in preserving the arts and sciences.
Barai Caste
Barai Caste is the professional cultivator caste of betel leaf. Tamboli and Pansari are the terms used indifferently for Barai Caste. The diversity of names of the sub-divisions of Barai Caste discloses the mixed elements that formed the caste.
Dangi Caste
Dangi Caste is largely distributed in the high land regions, and the word Dangi is said to have originated from the geographical features of their territory. Main occupation of the members of Dangi Caste is cultivation.
Nadar Caste
One of the most renowned castes of Tamil Nadu is the Nadar caste. The Nadar community is a mixture of sub-castes and classes of different origins, which came under one banner of Nadar caste gradually.
Kumbhakar Caste
Kumbhakar is the potter caste who manufactures all kinds of earthen vessels.
Gujjars in Maharashtra
Gujjars in Maharashtra have several sub-castes. Here, in this state the Gurjars are listed as a separate caste. They are included in the Maharashtra OBC list.
Awasthi Brahmin
Awasthi is a surname or a family name of a particular sub-caste of Brahmins in the Indian continent.
Bhoyar Caste
Bhoyar Caste is largely found in the Central Provinces of the country. Traditional occupation of Bhoyars is agriculture. They are good cultivators and mostly grow sugarcane.
Gujjars in Mughal Era
Gujjars in the Mughal era enjoyed great power. Further their power increased with the decline of Aurangzeb, Mughal emperor.
Origin of Vaishnavism
Origin of Vaishnavism shares its attributes to many sources and religious evolution, dating back to pre-Vedic epoch.
Gotra in Hinduism
In Hinduism, gotra refers to a lineage system tracing descent from ancient sages, primarily through the paternal line. Originating from Vedic tradition, it plays a crucial role in identity and marriage customs. Individuals from the same gotra are considered to share a common ancestor and are traditionally prohibited from intermarrying.