Bhagavad Gita · Mahabharata Codex

Ikshvaku

इक्ष्वाकु · ikṣvāku

Son of Manu; first king of the solar dynasty

The first king to be taught what Arjuna is now being taught.

Ikshvaku, son of Manu, founded the solar line of kings who ruled from Ayodhya; Rama was born in that line many generations later. He is the third link in Krishna's chain of teachers, and the first human king in it. Krishna's point is that this yoga was once the knowledge of rulers, people with duties in the world, and not only of hermits.