Ilavila

THE LIVING ARCHIVE

About Ilavila

Ilavila belongs to the succession following Mulaka. Mulaka’s son is an earlier Dasharatha; that king fathers Ilavila, whose son is Vishvasaha. The family then continues through Khatvanga, Dirghabahu and Raghu toward Rama’s later household.

AT A GLANCE

Identity & Context

Identity: King
Form: Ikshvaku Dynasty
Tradition: Puranic Royal Genealogy

Family & Relationships

ParentDasharatha
Dasharatha is named as the parent of Ilavila in this succession.
ChildVishvasaha
Ilavila is named as the parent of Vishvasaha in this succession.

IN THE TRADITION

Recorded Context

The Family Before Khatvanga

Ilavila is recorded between Dasharatha and Vishvasaha in the royal list. His place is clear even though the account does not pause to narrate the events of his individual reign. His grandson Khatvanga receives a longer story.

Khatvanga helps the gods in battle and asks how much life remains to him. On learning that the time is short, he returns to earth and directs himself toward liberation. This episode belongs to Ilavila’s grandson and illustrates how the brief list of ancestors leads into a more detailed personal narrative.

ROLE & ESSENCE

Attributes & Significance

Ilavila connects the earlier Dasharatha with Vishvasaha and Khatvanga. His family position is part of the path from Mulaka to Raghu in this Solar genealogy.

Role

Ilavila is a king of Surya Vansh, the son of the earlier Dasharatha and father of Vishvasaha. His grandson is Khatvanga, the king remembered for helping the gods and turning toward liberation at the end of his life.

TRADITION & MEANING

Traditions & Interpretations

The clearer surviving information concerns Ilavila’s family rather than his reign. His ancestry and descendants explain where he belongs in the broader royal story.