Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.80

c9.80

RAJI (RĀJI). A prominent king of the Pūru dynasty. He was one of the five sons of Āyus by Svarbhānu the other four being Nahuṣa, Kṣatravṛddha, (Vṛddhaśarman) Rambha and Anenas. (Āśrama Parva, Chapter 70, Verse 23). Purāṇas contain stories that Indra destroyed people born in Raji's dynasty as they hated the former. That side in which the powerful Raji fought used to win. In a fight between the asuras and the Devas, when Indra felt that his side was losing, he secured the participation of Raji in the fight on condition that the latter would be given Indra-hood. The asuras were defeated and Raji was made king of svarga. Raji had thousands of children and they were known under the common name Rājayakṣatriyas. But they were a foolish lot and lacked the capacity to distinguish themselves in Indra's place. Therefore, at the instance of Bṛhaspati, preceptor of the Devas, Indra destroyed them all and resumed his former position and status. (Bhāgavata, 9th Skandha; Vāyu Purāṇa, Chapter 92, Verse 76; Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa 11; Harivaṃśa 1, 28; Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 24, Verses 34-49).