You truly know all these matters, in detail and with perfect accuracy, even at this very moment. All the ancient histories, the profound secrets—each in their true essence—rest within your understanding. Having offered my respects to you, I am now prepared to declare before you the greatness that is to be revealed. To you, the learned one, whose intellect is vast, foremost knower of the Veda and Vedāṅga, tranquil in mind, restrained in the senses, and radiant with pure, expansive brilliance, I offer my salutations. Om, I bow to the blessed Vyāsa, whose splendor is boundless. Let all the assembled sages, attentive and accompanied by their disciples, listen closely. What was once spoken to Agastya, and heard by Nārada from Skanda, I have received directly from Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana, O revered ascetics. With reverence, I bow to the Supreme Self, to Rāma, the lotus-eyed one. There is a city named Ayodhyā, supreme and pure, a place difficult for wrongdoers to attain. Situated on the banks of the Sarayū river, it is divine and supremely beautiful. The city abounds in elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry, thriving in great prosperity. Its quarters are well-arranged everywhere, divided into fourfold sections, and it is adorned with shining ponds blossoming with lotuses. The air resounds with the sweet music of vīṇā, flute, mṛdaṅga, and other instruments, filling the city with excellence. The avenues are lined with śāla, tāla, coconut, jackfruit, and āmalaka trees, and likewise adorned with mango, wood-apple, aśoka, and other trees. Mālatī, jāti, bakula, pāṭalī, nāga, and campaka trees add their fragrance, while nimba, jamvīra, kadalī, mātuliṅga, and great fruit-bearing trees flourish as well. In this splendid city are princes whose radiance equals that of the gods, accompanied by excellent poets and honored brahmins, wise as Bṛhaspati himself. The stables hold horses like Uccaiḥśravas and elephants like those of the guardians of the directions. Along the riverbanks were born kings descended from the illustrious solar dynasty. The shores, with their holy waters, are alive with the songs of bees and birds. The Sarayū itself is filled with the essence of dharma, its waters the purest and best. From the southern tip of this sacred land emerged Jahnavi, the river of Hari. Thus, these two rivers—the Sarayū and Jahnavi—are the most sacred, revered even by the gods. It was then that Agastya, the sage born from the pot, arrived at Ayodhyā. Having come there, he too performed the pilgrimage in the proper order, worshipping all the deities according to the prescribed rites. His heart was filled with joy, having witnessed the greatness of the holy place. He stayed there for three nights, performing the pilgrimage as tradition dictates. When he arrived, beautiful and brimming with joy, a flood of supreme bliss arose within you at that very moment. Why did this nourishment of joy arise in you, O Brahman? Tell me, I ask. Agastya replied: “O most excellent sage, truly this is a great and wondrous marvel! Therefore, at this very moment, a flood of joy has arisen within me. The supreme greatness and abundant virtues of the great city of Ayodhyā fill my heart.” He then asked, “What is the proper order of pilgrimage? Which are the sacred places, and what is the correct procedure? Please, O best of speakers, tell me all this in detail.” And so it is, by your question, that the glory of Ayodhyā is revealed. Know that the syllable ‘A’ is said to be Brahma, and the syllable ‘Ya’ is called Vishnu.