Day 3: Sargas 5 and 6 of Balakanda.
Sage Valmiki now begins to tell the story.
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इक्ष्वाकूणामिदं तेषां राज्ञां वंशे महात्मनाम्।
महदुत्पन्नमाख्यानं रामायणमिति श्रुतम् ॥
This is the story of the great dynasty of kings called Ikshwakus. This narrative has taken form by great inspiration (reference to Narada and Brahma) and is known as Ramayana.
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Sage Valmiki gives an enchanting description of the city of Ayodhya, the capital of Kosala kingdom, with details of its structure, its people and their activities. Just a sample:
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राजमार्गेण महता सुविभक्तेन शोभिता।
मुक्तपुष्पावकीर्णेन जलसिक्तेन नित्यशः ॥
The capital Ayodhya had beautifully laid out major avenues, tree-lined and strewn with blossoms. The city was sprinkled daily with water to keep it cool and sparkling.
दुन्दुभीभिर्मृदङ्गैश्च वीणाभिः पणवैस्तथा ।
नादितां भृषमत्यर्थं पृथिव्यां तामनुत्ममाम् ॥
The city resounded with the music of large drums, percussion instruments like mridangam, veena and other stringed instruments, trumpets and wind instruments, and was simply unmatched in the entire world for its flourishing culture.
तस्मिन् पुरवरे हृष्टा धर्मात्मानो बहु श्रुताः।
नरास्तुष्टा धनैः स्वैःस्वैरलुब्धाः सत्यवादिनः ॥
In that noble city dwelt happy people, righteous and well educated. Those men were cheerfully prosperous by their own well-earned wealth, and were free from greed. They stood for truth.
तां सत्यनामां दृढतोरणार्गलां
गृहैर्विचित्रैरुपशोभितां शिवाम्।
पुरीमयोध्यां नृसहस्रसंकुलां
शशास वै शक्रसमो महीपतिः ॥
That city, which stood for nobility and culture, fortified with gateways and arches, with magnificent mansions, auspicious and impenetrable as her name meant, ruled the great king Dasharatha like Indra ruled heaven.
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A detailed reading shows how Valmiki is describing a metropolis of cultural and economic prosperity, military might, with all people engaged in their professions well, and attracting scholars, traders and chiefs from all around.
Remember, we are speaking of a city 5000 years ago.
🙏श्रीरामजयम् 🙏
