Ayodhya, the illustrious capital of Jambudweep, was governed by the esteemed King Dasaratha, whose rule was marked by wisdom and unmatched administrative prowess. His virtues of restraint and balance adorned his character like jewels, admired and emulated by his subjects. The city’s fortifications were impenetrable, with gates and doors standing heavily guarded, ensuring its security. Its bustling trade centers were meticulously designed to meet the people’s needs, even during festive seasons, due to the precise and thorough planning. The marketplaces, always alive with commerce, operated smoothly, and the city’s critical areas were guarded by vigilant soldiers. At the city’s entry points, weapons and armor were displayed, ever ready for an emergency.
Ayodhya housed many architects, their craft constantly in demand, resulting in grand and aesthetically pleasing structures. The city’s architecture was graced with the finest sculpture, each building standing unique in style. The use of rich, multi-coloured patterns on homes and trade buildings inspired admiration. In the heart of Ayodhya, traditional instruments played soothing music, resonating throughout the city and enhancing its serene atmosphere.
Encircling the city was a massive reservoir, ensuring ample water supply and reinforcing defense against invaders. The homes of Ayodhya were large and well-maintained, with cows, bulls, and other domestic animals commonly seen. The city thrived with traders and vassal kings from afar. Every visitor, whether common or noble, was treated with honour, and multistoried palaces stood as testaments to the citizens’ wealth. Women moved freely through the city, adorned in gold, diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, with every citizen seen wearing fine earrings and necklaces, their hands adorned with bracelets carved with lion motifs.
The houses, built in perfect harmony, allowed for clean air and an environment lush with greenery. The water, crystal clear and pure, was a testament to the city’s cleanliness. Rice, the staple food, flourished under the expertise of farmers who harvested three crops annually, using advanced water conservation techniques. Every man in the city was skilled in warfare and the use of various weapons, and each household boasted warriors with the proud record of hunting beasts that threatened nearby forest dwellers.
The city was a hive of professional activity, with each individual devoted to their trade, excelling with skill and diligence. There was no interference in another’s work, and the people were honest, truthful, and sincere in their duties, reflecting the ideals of their ruler. King Dasaratha, with foresight and deep care for his subjects, crafted plans that ensured the prosperity of all, earning the reverence of both city dwellers and those in rural hamlets. The people of Ayodhya, refined in their way of life, were dedicated to their families, lived modestly, and showed no greed or envy. They loved their families deeply and maintained unshakeable bonds of loyalty and virtue.
Under King Dasaratha’s pious and dynamic leadership, Ayodhya possessed vast herds of elephants and horses, importing the finest breeds from the Vindhya and Himalayan regions. The city’s elephants, such as the illustrious Nama, Mahapadma, Anjana, and Vamana, and horses from Kamboja, Bahlika, and Sindhu, were renowned throughout the land. The same flourishing conditions were found across Dasaratha’s vast domain, thanks to his excellent network of spies, who ensured that timely and accurate information reached his court. These spies, trained by the council of ministers, were diligent, selfless, and astute in their assessments.
Dasaratha’s court was graced by virtuous ministers like Drishti, Jayantha, Vijaya, Siddhartha, Ardhasadhaka, Ashoka, Manthrapala, and Sumantra, among others, whose wisdom and commitment were beyond reproach. The spiritual guidance of sages Vasishta and Vamadeva lent further grace to the court. These ministers, disciplined, experienced, and learned, upheld truth and justice with integrity, never showing favoritism. They handled crime and disorder with a firm yet balanced approach, delivering harsh punishments to the wealthy and powerful when guilty but showing leniency to the underprivileged.
When errors arose due to governance, these ministers sought to rectify the system rather than simply punish, often assigning offenders to beneficial social service. Sage Vasishta, narrating to Sage Galava the excellence of Ayodhya’s governance, extolled the virtues of the kingdom under Dasaratha’s rule. Galava, filled with awe, remarked, “O great sage, under such noble discipline, the four princes are growing, destined to bring glory to Ayodhya and light to a world darkened by demonic forces.” With folded hands, Sage Galava expressed his gratitude, honored by the wisdom imparted on the sacred duties of kingship and governance.
