Markandeya said : There was a great king in the family of Ikshvakus by name Aja. His son was Dasharatha, who was pure and ever devoted to the study of the Vedas.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच अजो नामाभवद् राजा महानिक्ष्वाकुवंशजः। तस्य पुत्रो दशरथः शश्वतस्वाध्यायवाञ्छुचिः॥