Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c20.s1.14

c20.s1.14

The number of kings can be tested as regards the Aikṣvākus and the Kurus who were the Pauravas. The Aikṣvāku list names 25 future kings from Divākara (omitting Siddhārtha), and the list of contemporary kings says 24 Aikṣvākus, so that the two agree practically. The Paurava-Kuru list names 25 future kings, and the contemporary list says 36; but another well-attested reading in the latter says 26,¹ and it was pointed out² that, because of the ease with which *tr* and *v* might be confused, ‘in many cases either [20 or 30] may be read as other data may indicate, irrespective of the weight of the MSS.’ This reading 26 is no doubt the true reading, because it accords better with the other numbers in the contemporary list and agrees practically with the 25 in the former list. The practical agreement in these two dynasties, the only cases we can test, indicates that the contemporary list is also reckoned from the same initial point as the three detailed dynasties.