Vikukshi, Vikukṣi: 10 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Purana
2. General definition
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also

Introduction:

Vikukshi means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit term Vikukṣi can be transliterated into English as Vikuksi or Vikukshi, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Bhagavata Purana

Vikukṣi (विकुक्षि):—One of the most prominent sons of Ikṣvāku (son of Śrāddhadeva or Vaivasvata Manu). Vikukṣi later became celebrated as Śaśāda. He had a son named Purañjaya. (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.6.4-12)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Vikukṣi (विकुक्षि).—A son of Ikṣvāku. It is said that Ikṣvāku was born from the spittle of Manu. It is stated in Devī Bhāgavata, Skandha 7, that after the death of Śaryāti, the Rākṣasas (giants) attacked Ayodhyā and the sons of the King having fled to different directions, Ikṣvāku continued the dynasty of Śaryāti in Ayodhyā. Hundred sons beginning with Vikukṣi, were born to Ikṣvāku. Of these hundred sons fifty were employed to rule over the regions of East and North and fortyeight, to rule over the regions in the south and the west. With the remaining two sons the King stayed in Ayodhyā, and carried on administration.

One day King Ikṣvāku resolved to conduct the great sacrifice of offering to the manes called Mahāpralayaśrāddha, for which preparations were speedily made. The hermits such as Vasiṣṭha and others arrived according to invitation. He sent his son Vikukṣi to the forest to bring the required amount of flesh for the sacrifice. Vikukṣi entered the forest and hunted hare, hog, deer etc. and collected the required quantity of flesh; but on the way home, he became tired of hunger. To appease his hunger he took a small hare from the collection cooked it and ate it. He took the balance to the King who was much pleased with his son and gave the animals to Vasiṣṭha the family priest for prokṣaṇa (sprinkling of holy water on the animals before sacrifice). But Vasiṣṭha got angry and said, "flesh which constitutes remains is not acceptable." The king understood the truth only then. He was filled with anger and distress. He expelled Vikukṣi from his country for this misdeed. Thus because he had eaten a Śaśa (hare) Vikukṣi got another name Śaśāda. Śaśāda not at all caring about the misfortune that befell him, went to the forest and lived on fruits and roots and worshipped Devī, with ardent devotion. (See full article at Story of Vikukṣi from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Vikukṣi (विकुक्षि).—The eldest of the 100 sons of Ikṣvāku; Asked by his father to secure some māṃsa for his aṣṭaka ritual, he went to the forest, secured some by killing a thousand animals, and feeling hungry, he ate of a portion of the hare's flesh. When this was found out the father abandoned him. He wandered about the land as Śaśāda. But on his father's demise, he was enthroned at Ayodhyā and came to be known as Śaśāda. He pleased Hari by sacrifices. Father of Puramjaya:¹ Father of 500 sons beginning with Śakuni: Brother of Nimi: went to hell;² had 15 sons who were kings of countries north of Meru and 148 others ruling south of it; the eldest of the latter was Kakustha.³

1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 6. 6-12; Vāyu-purāṇa 1. 141; 88. 9-20; 89. 1. Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 2. 12-20.
2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 63. 9-23; 64. 1.
3) Matsya-purāṇa 12. 26-8.

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

Vikukṣi (विकुक्षि) is the son of Ikṣvāku: one of the nine sons of Manu Vaivasvata, according to the Vaṃśānucarita section of the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, [...] Bhāskara (sun-god) had four wives [viz., Saṃjñā]. Saṃjñā gave birth to Manu from the sun-god in whose race were born the kings (viz., Ikṣvāku). [...] Vikukṣi was the son of Ikṣvāku. He had hundred sons of whom Kakutstha was the eldest. Kakutstha’s son was Suyodhana, whose son was Pṛthu.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Apam Napat: Indian Mythology

Vikukshi is a King of the Solar dynasty. He is the son of Kukshi and the father of Bana. Rama is his descendant.

According to B.P., Vikukshi was sent to fetch meat for the sacrifice to be performed by his father. While hunting game, the prince was overcome by hunger and ate some of the meat destined for the sacrifice. This was an act of sacrilege, and Vasishta, the percept of or the Solar dynasty, advised his father to banish him from the Kingdom. Since he had eaten the meat of a rabbit (shashanka), Vikukshi was known as Shashada from this day. In this story, his father is said to be Ikshvaku. And Kakutstha is said to be Vikukshi's son.

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Vikukshi : A king of the Solar race, who succeeded his father, Ikshwaku. He received the name of Sasada, 'hare-eater.' He was sent by his father to hunt and obtain flesh suitable for offerings. Being weary and hungry he ate a hare, and Vasishtha, the priest, declared that this act had defiled all the food, for what remained was but his leavings.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Vikukṣi (विकुक्षि).—a. Having a prominent belly; वसाश्चैवापरे पीत्वा पर्यधावन् विकुक्षिकाः (vasāścaivāpare pītvā paryadhāvan vikukṣikāḥ) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 1.8.14.

[Sanskrit to German]

Vikukshi in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Relevant text

Search found 22 books and stories containing Vikukshi, Vi-kukshi, Vi-kukṣi, Vi-kuksi, Vikukṣi, Vikuksi; (plurals include: Vikukshis, kukshis, kukṣis, kuksis, Vikukṣis, Vikuksis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Vaivasvata Manu’s Children

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Ikshvaku, Yuvanashva and Soubhari < [Fourth Section]

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Dynasty of Ikṣvāku < [Chapter 6 - Human history in the Matsya-Purāṇa]

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Genealogy of the Solar Dynasty in the Puranas and the Ramayana < [Purana, Volume 4, Part 1 (1962)]

Literary and Archaeological Evidence on the Aryan Expansion in India < [Purana, Volume 6, Part 2 (1964)]