Indian history written by Britishers have tried to fix most of the events 1000 years later to match their idea of the world being created in 4004 BCE.
In this process, many western historians including Sir Willian Jones have tried to merge Chandra Gupta-Maurya with Chandra Gupta (they thought both are same) and this Wrong history is taught in Indian schools and colleges.
The fact is that Gautama Buddha or Siddhartha was born to King Suddhodhana of Ikshvaku dynasty.
The lists of kings of Ikṣvāku or Aikṣvāka dynasty are found in the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Harivamsha and the Puranas. The Raghuvamsha of Kalidasa also mentions the names of the kings of this dynasty.
Ikshvaku Dynasty Kings List (until 1634 BCE)
01. Vivasvan (vaivasvata) Manu (wife:- Shraddha)
02. Ikshvaku (originally Rishabha, became Ikshvaku after surviving with SugarCane juice)
03. Bharata : He is the son of King Rishabha and founder of the Sun Dynasty (Suryavansha). Among the hundred sons of king Ikshvaku, Bharata is the eldest one. Because he has very broad chest of a warrior, he was also called as Kushki.
04. Vikukshi (Shashad) (he who eats the meat of a rabbit so he named Shashad) (contemporary to King Pururava who was founder of Chandravansh)
05. Baan (contemporary to 2nd Chandravanshi King Aayu & Vijaya-1)
06. Kakutstha (Puranjaya or Indrahomi or Indravahu) ruled 10,900 years (contemporary to 2nd Chandravanshi King Aayu)
07. Anena (Anaranya or Suyodhana) (contemporary to 3rd Chandravanshi King Nahusha)
08. Prithu (contemporary to 4th Chandravanshi King Yayati and demon king Vrushaparva)
09. Vishvarandhri (Vishvagandhi or Vishvamshaha) (contemporary to 5th Chandravanshi King Yadu, Puru, Suhotra)
10. Chandra (Aayu in Agni Puran or Indu in Matsya Puran or Aadra in Vishnu Puran)
11. Yuvanashva-1
12. Shashvat (Shravant of Vishnu Puran, Harivansh Puran, Agni Puran) who built town Saraswati
13. Brihadasva
14. Kuvalayasva (or) Dubdhunara (21,000 sons and Here time duration is many thousands years long)
15. Dridhasva, Kapilashva, Bhadrashva (Dand in Agni Puran & Matsya Puran, Chandrashva in Vishnu Puran & Harivansh Puran)
16. Pramod
17. Haryasva (Pramodak or Vayarshvah in Vishnu Puran)
18. Nikumbha
19. Baharnashva (Shanhatashva in Agni Puran, Matsya Puran, Harivasnh Puran)
20. Giritashva
21. Krisasva (Akrutashva in Agni Puran, Matsya Puran)
22. Prasenajit-1 (Seinya Jeet, Ranashva in Agni Puran)
23. Yuvanashva(2) (who was contemporary to Chandravanshi King Gandhara who was founder of Gandhara Kingdom, Shakuni born 95 generation after King Gandhara)
24. Mandhata (Chakravarti Samrat) killed by Lavanasura in Mathura (He defeated Ravana). Conquered the Druhyus and vanquished Nriga, Marutta, Jaya, Suna, Sudhanwan, Angara, Gaya and Asita.
25. Purukutsha (married with Narmada), Ambarisha (adopted by Yuvanashva), Muchukunda (helped Deva in Deva-Asur War & latter he killed Kaal Yavan by fire from his eyes at the time of Sri Krishna Avatara in end of Dwaparayuga) (Contemporary to Chandravanshi King Sibi who was founder of Keikaya & Madra Kingdom)
26. Vasud
27. Trayadasyu (Sambhuti in Agni Puran)
28. Sambhrut (Vishnu Puran, Agni Puran, Matsya Puran)
29. Anaranya-1 (killed by Ravana, Anaranya cursed Ravana that one day one king of Ikshvaku line age will kill Ravana & Sri Rama killed Ravana)
30. Pushadashva (Vishnu Purana)
31. Haryasva(2)
32. Sumana (Sudhanava in Harivansh Purana, Vasuman, Paarjitar)
33. Tridhanva (Vishvamitra was chief minister in his court, contemporary to God Parashurama)
34. Thrayaruni
35. Tribandhan
36. Satyavrata (or) Trishanku (for whom Viswamitra created a seperate heaven)
37. Harishchandra (contemporary to Shahashtra Bahu Kartivirya Arjuna)
38. Rohit (Rohitashva) (Kanyakubj or Kannauj dynasty ended during Rohitashva’s reigned)
39. Harita (Haritashva) (Contemporary to Chandravanshi King Dushyant)
40. Champ (Chunchu) (Conntemporary of Chakravarti Samrat Bharata of Chandravansh in line age of Puru)
41. Sudeva (Chakshu in Vishnu Purana, Agni Purana)
42. Vijaya (Ramayana was written by Valmiki during reign of this king) (contemporary to Maharshi Bharadwaja)
43. Bharuk (Ruruk in Vishnu Purana, Harivansh Purana)
44. Pratapendra
45. Bruk
46. Sushandhi
47. Bahuk
48. Bharat (mentioned in Ramayana)
49. Asit (Kalinda in Ramayana)
50. Sagara (Chakravartin Samrat) he ended Haihaya Dynasty. Sagara had 60,000 sons but only Asamanjash live (Contemporary to Chandravanshi King Hasti who founded Hastinapura)
51. Asamanjash (Contemporary to Chandravanshi King Ajaamidha who was founder of Panchala Kingdom)
52. Anshumaan
53. Dilīpa
54. Bhagiratha (He brought Ganga to earth)
55. Srutha
56. Kukutsa-2
57. Raghu-1
58. Naabh (Nabhag in Matsya Puran, Harivansh Puran)
59. Ambarisha(2) (great devotee of God Maha Vishnu)
60. Shindhudwip
61. Avyutayu (Shrutayu in Agni Puran)
62. Rituparna
63. Sarvakama (Sarvakarma, Aartupani in Harivansha Puran)
64. Sudas (contemporary to King Kuru-1 of Chandravansh who founded Magadha Kingdom)
65. Saudasa (or) Kalmashapada (married to Madayanti)
66. Asmaka
67. Mulaka (Naari Kavacha) (Contemporary to Yadava King Shakuni who was father of Rashasha “Bhasmasura”)
68. Dasharatha-1
69. Adwil (Ilabil in Vishnu Puran)
70. Vishvamashaha
71. Anaranya-2
72. Nidhn
73. Animitra
74. Dululaha (Harivansh Puran)
75. Krisakarma
76. Dilipa(2) (or) Khatvanga (in Vishnu Puran, Harivansh Puran)
77. Deerghabahu
78. Raghu-2 (Chakravartin Samrat) (Raghuvansh, Raghava, Raghuvir word use in honour of this king)
79. Aja (married to Indumati)
80. Dasharatha was of age 60,000 years when Sri Rama born mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana (contemporary to Videha King Siradwaja (Janaka-2) father of Seeta)
81. Rama ruled 11,000 years as mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana, Vishnu Purana, Harivansha Puran, Agni Puran, Srimad Bhagavat Maha Puran (Lakshmana, Bharata & Shatrughna are his siblings and they are also avatar of lord Vishnu)
In the Ramayana, we find that, Lava and Kusha were the sons of Rama.
Puranas provide a genealogical list from Kusha to Brihadbala, who was killed by Abhimanyu in the Mahabharata war (3138 BCE).
82. Kusha
83. Atithi
84. Nishadha
85. Nala (who went to tirunallar to get rid of his dwarfness)
86. Nabhas
87. Pundarika
88. Kshemadhanvan
89. Devanika
90. Ahinagu
91. Roop
92. Rooroo
93. Paripatra
94. Dala (or Balasthala)
95. Chhal (or Anal)
96. Ukya
97. Vajranabha
98. Khagan (or Shankhanaad)
99. Vighruti (or Vyushitashva)
100. Vishvasaha-2
101. Hiranyanabha (He was student of Sage Jaimini, Yagnyavalkya has accepted him as his teacher)
102. Pushya
103. Dhruvasandhi
104. Sudarshana-2
105. Agnivatna-2
106. Shighra
107. Maru-2
108. Prasushruta
109. Susandhi (or Sugandhi)
110. Amarshana and Sahasvanta, the sons of Susandhi
111. Mahasvan
112. Vishwasahav
113. Prasenjit-1
114. Takshaka
115. Brihadbala (at Mahabharata time, Abhimanyu killed Brihadbala at age 125 years in Mahabharata War).
Average lifespan of a human kept dropping with each Yuga.
Buddha in the History of Ikshvaku Dynasty
The list of kings of lkshvaku dynasty from 3138 BCE to 1634 BCE
Brihadbala was killed in the Mahabharata war by Abhimanyu. His son “Brihadkshana” became king after the war.
116. Brihadkshana
117. Urn yaksha
118. Vatsa vyuha
119. Prativyoma
120. Divakara
121. Sahadeve
122. Brihadasva
123. Bhanuratha
124. Pratitasya
125. Supratika
126. Marudeva
127. Sunakshatra
128. Kinnara
129. Anadharaksha
130. Suprana
131. Amitrajith
132. Brihadbhaja
133. Dharmi
134. Kritanjaya or Dhananjaya
135. Rananjaya
136. Sanjaya
137. Sakya
138. Suddhodana
139. Siddhartha (Gautama Buddha) [We may not consider Siddhartha in kings list as he kingdom at young age and Suddhodhana’s grandson Rahula became next king]
140. Rahula( Son of Siddhardha)
141. Prasenajit
142. Kahudraka
143. Kumdaka
144. Suratha
145. Sumitra
These 30 kings reigned for 1504 years (between 3138 BCE – 1634 BCE)
Last king Sumitra was killed by Mahapadma Nanda in 1634 BCE.
Chanakya was contemporary to this Mahapadma Nanda (Dhana Nanda), who placed Mahapadmananda’s protege Chandragupta, son of Mahapadma Nanda by his wife ‘Mura‘ on the throne of his father.
Vishnu Purana, Amsa IV, chapter 22 mentions :
IkshvakuNaa mayaa vaMsaha, sumitrAntO gamishyatihi
Which means that Ishvaku dynasty ended with Sumitra.
This was also mentioned in Matsya, Vayu and Brahmanda Puranas.
Vishnu Purana also mentions that He, who was called Maya Moha in his previous birth, will be born as Siddhartha to King Suddhodhana. By propagation of his teachings, many give up their traditional vedic religion to adopt new religion of Buddha and will be called as Bauddhas.
Buddha was the contemporary of Kshemajit, Bimbisara and AjataSatru, the 31st, the 32nd, and the 33rd kings of Magadha. The Buddhistic works say that Buddha was Seventy-two years old at the time of AjataSatru’s coronation. According to the Puranas AjataSatru’s coronation was in 1814 BCE.
Sisunaga dynasty kings reign during that time :
1. Sisunaga (l994 – 1954 BCE)
2. Kakavarna (1954 – 1918 BCE)
3. Kshemadharma (1918 – 1892 BCE)
4. Kshemajit (1892 – 1852 BCE)
5. Bimbisara (1852 – 1814 BCE)
6. AjataSatru (1814 – 1787 BCE)
1. Buddha’s brith – 1887 BCE.
2. Buddha’s Remunication – 1858 BCE.
3. Buddha’s Penance 1858 – 1851 BCE.
4. Buddha’s Preaching of the doctrine during 1851 – 1807 BCE)
Buddha’s total life period 80 years, (From 1887 – 1807 BCE).
Buddha or Siddhartha was born on Poornima (fullmoon day) of Visakha lunar month.
Thus Gautama Buddha’s exact birth date according to astronomical analysis would be 9th April, 1887 BCE.
He attained wisdom on 03 April 1851 BCE, which was same lunar day and also a full moon day on a Wednesday.
Also, Death of Buddha happened on same lunar day, which is Vaisakha full moon with Nakshatram as Visakha.
That was a Tuesday on 27 March 1807 BCE, which is a full moon day.
This date matches with the existence of Buddhism in the second milinnium B.C., as mentioned in Kalhana’s Rajatarangini and NepalVamsavali.
All the dates given in Bishop Bigandet’s “The Life Or Legend Of Gaudama” in the Kaudza and Eetzana Eras have been verified with the dates in Christien Era.
The dates tally accurately with 27 March 1807 BCE as the date of Nirvana of Lord Buddha.
How this Siddhartha (Gautama Buddha) is regarded as Avatar of Lord Vishnu ?
As Siddhartha was born in lineage of Lord Rama in Ikshvaku dynasty, people of his generation might have considered him to be incarnation of Rama or Vishnu.
It is commonly accepted amongst those monks that Buddha Rishi (Vishnu Avatara Buddha) was a predecessor of Gautama Buddha.
Siddhartha, who became Gautama Buddha came to the original Buddha’s birthplace to practice meditation. Gautama Buddha chose this place to attain liberation, knowing it to be saturated with immense spiritual power.
Interesting mention of Buddha is made by Lanka king Ravana in Lankavatara Sutra .
lankavatara sutram vai purva buddha anuvarnitam
smarami purvakaih buddhair jina-putra puraskritaihi
sutram etan nigadyante bhagavan api bhashatam
bhavishyatyanagate kale buddha buddha-sutas cha ye
Translation : Ravana, the king of Lanka, at first recited in the Totaka metre, then sang the following – ‘I invoke in my memory the aphorisms known as Lankavatara-sutra, compiled and propagated by the previous Buddha (Vishnu’s incarnation). The son of Jina (Lord Buddha) presented this book. Lord Buddha and his sons, who will appear in the future, as well as Bhagavan, the Vishnu incarnation, will continue to instruct all from this book.’
Vaishnavas never worship the nihilist and atheist (sunyavada) Buddha or Gautama Buddha, They only worship Lord Vishnu’s ninth incarnation, Lord Buddha, with this prayer from the Srimad-Bhagavatam 10/40/22:
namo buddhaya shuddhaya daitya-danava-mohine
Translation : O Supreme Lord Buddha! I offer my obeisance unto You, Who is faultless and have appeared to delude the demoniac and atheistic class of men.
Earlier in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) 1/3/24, Lord Buddha’s advent is described in the following manner:
tatah kalau sampravritte
sammohaya sura-dvisham
buddho namnanjana-sutaha
kikateshu bhavishyati
Translation : Then in the beginning of Kali-yuga, the Lord will appear as Buddha, son of Anjana, in the province of Kikata (Gaya), just for the purpose of deluding those who are envious of the faithful theist.
Here, Kikata is ancient name of the place, Gaya.
Gautama Buddha came almost 1200 years after Kali Yuga started.
So, there must be the original Vishnu Avatar Buddha, who came early in Kali Yuga as son of Anjana.
But again, Bhagavata Purana was compiled during times of Gautama Buddha and the avatar of Vishnu as Buddha is debatable.
Jataka tales or stories of Buddhism mention one story where Buddha in one of his past life was trying to teach Ahimsa (nonviolence) to queens and King misunderstood his intentions as to be flirting with his wives.
King orders Buddha to be tortured until death.
After multiple such lives, where he failed to establish nonviolence through teahcings, in his last life, he attained wisdom at Bauddha Gaya and attained nirvana after preaching his ideas to his followers.
Later, his followers converted many kings and common people into their religion.
What Adi Sankaracharya (509 – 477 BCE) tried to drive away from India, was followers of Soonyavada Gautama Buddha, as it was promoting only begging during his time.
The original buddha’s history and teaching have vanished as Gautama Buddha’s religion was spread across India and adopted by many kings.
Infact, few traditional Vaishnavaites do not consider Buddha as Avatar of Vishnu.
“Matsya kurma varahascha naarasimha vamanaha ramo ramascha rama scha krishnaha kalkirevacha” is what they follow.
And in this order, Balarama is considered one of the Avatar.