Aśmaka (Ashmaka) was the kṣetraja (a married woman’s son, sired by any other man than her husband) son of Madayantī (Madayanti), wife of king Kalmāṣapāda (Kalmashapada) belonging to Ikṣvākuvaṃśa (Ikshvakuvamsa; the royal lineage of Ikshvaku). He was sired by Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Vaśiṣṭha (Vasistha). Even after bearing the child for twelve years (seven years according to Purāṇa), the child was not born, and being desperate with grief, the mother struck at her own belly with a piece of stone. Then the child came out, and he was called Aśmaka (Aśma means stone). King Aśmaka was the founder of the Aśmaka kingdom in South India, its capital Paudanyanagarī (Paudanyanagari). His son was called Mūlaka (Mulaka).