SIDDHARTH SHAKYA

Siddharth Shakya :

Siddharth Shakya also known as Gautam Buddh was the son of Suddhodhana Shakya, the ruler of Kapilavastu.

Shakya clan or Shakya caste is a Kshatriya varna dynasty belonging to Suryavansh (Ikshvaku Dynasty) as per Vishhu Puran (Book 4, Chapter 22) and Bhagavat Puran, canto 9, chapter 12.

Lord Ram also belonged to the same Ikshvaku Dynasty.

But Shakya caste also belonged to Gautama Gotra, which is actually a Brahmin Gotra. This is the reason why Buddh is known as Gautam Buddh.

“Gotra is based on genealogy, while varna is based on occupation.” So, while Buddh (shakya clan) was a Brahmin genetically, however, since Shakya clan was a warrior clan hence Buddh was considered as Kshatriya by varna.

Due to this even Hindu Puran's considered Buddh (Siddhartha Shakya) as a Kshatriya and not a Brahmin.

The chapter 22 of Vishnu Puran mentions :

• Sanjay’s son as King Shakya (the founder of Shakya Dynasty),

• Shakya’s son was King Shuddhodhan Shakya,

• Shuddhodhan’s son was prince Siddharth Shakya. But Siddharth Shakya left the kingdom and founded a new religion named Buddhism. Siddharth Shakya was later came to be known as Lord Gautam Buddh.

• Siddhartha’s son was Rahul Shakya. Since Siddharth (Lord Gautam Buddh) declined to become the king, hence his son Rahul became the next king of Suryavansh.