सरयूतीरमासाद्य दिव्या परमशोभना
Situated on the banks of the Sarayū, it is divine and supremely beautiful.
हस्त्यश्वरथपत्त्याढ्या संपदुच्चा च संस्थिता
Abounding in elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry, it stands in great prosperity.
सानूपवेषैः सर्वत्र सुविभक्तचतुष्टया
With well-arranged quarters everywhere, divided into fourfold sections.
पद्मोत्फुल्लशुभोदाभिर्वापीभिरुपशोभिता
Adorned with ponds shining with the beauty of blooming lotuses.
वीणावेणुमृदंगादिशब्दैरुत्कृष्टतां गता। शालैस्तालैर्नालिकेरैः पनसामलकैस्तथा
Resounding with the sounds of vīṇā, flute, mṛdaṅga, and the like, it has reached excellence; with śāla, tāla, coconut, jackfruit, and āmalaka trees as well.
तथैवाम्रकपित्थाद्यैरशोकैरुपशोभिता
Likewise, it is adorned with mango, wood-apple, aśoka, and other trees.
मालतीजातिबकुलपाटलीनागचंपकैः
With mālatī, jāti, bakula, pāṭalī, nāga, and campaka trees,
निम्बजंवीरकदलीमातुलिंगमहाफलैः
With nimba, jamvīra, kadalī, mātuliṅga, and great fruits,
देवतुल्यप्रभायुक्तैर्नृपपुत्रैश्च संयुता
Joined by princes endowed with radiance equal to the gods,
श्रेष्ठैः सत्कविभिर्युक्ता बृहस्पतिसमैर्द्विजैः 2.8.1.
Accompanied by excellent, honored poets and brahmins equal to Bṛhaspati,
अश्वैरुच्चैःश्रवस्तुल्यैर्दंतिभिर्दिग्गजैरिव
With horses like Uccaiḥśravas and elephants like the guardians of the directions,
यस्यां जाता महीपालाः सूर्यवंशसमुद्भवाः
On whose banks were born kings descended from the solar dynasty,
यस्यास्तीरे पुण्यतोया कूजद्भृंगविहंगमा
On whose shore, with holy waters, bees and birds sing,
धर्मद्रवपरीता सा घर्घरोत्तमसंगमा
Filled with the essence of dharma, flowing with the best waters,
दक्षिणाच्चरणांगुष्ठान्निःसृता जाह्नवी हरेः
From whose southern toe emerged Jahnavi, the river of Hari,
तस्मादिमे पुण्यतमे नद्यौ देवनमस्कृते
Therefore, these two rivers are the most sacred, revered by the gods,
तामयोध्यामथ प्राप्तोऽगस्त्यः कुम्भोद्भवो मुनिः
Then Agastya, the sage born from the pot, arrived at Ayodhya,
आगत्य तु इतः सोऽपि कृऽत्वा यात्रां क्रमेण च
Having come from there, he too performed the pilgrimage in order,
पूजयित्वा यथान्यायं देवताः सकला अपि
He worshipped all the deities according to proper rites,
कृतकृत्योर्ज्जितानन्दस्तीर्थमाहात्म्यदर्शनात् 2.8.1.
Having fulfilled his purpose, rejoicing from witnessing the greatness of the holy place,
स त्रिरात्रं स्थितस्तत्र यात्रां कृत्वा यथाविधि
He stayed there for three nights, performing the pilgrimage as prescribed,
तमायांतं विलोक्याशु बहुलानन्दसुन्दरम्
Seeing him arrive, beautiful and full of abundant joy,
परमानंदसंदोहः समभूत्सांप्रतं तव
A flood of supreme bliss arose in you at that moment,
कस्मादानंदपोषोऽभूत्तव ब्रह्मन्वदस्व मे
Why did this nourishment of joy arise in you, O Brahman? Tell me.
अगस्त्य उवाच अहो महदथाश्चर्य्यं विस्मयो मुनिसत्तम
Agastya said: O most excellent sage, truly this is a great and wondrous marvel!
तस्मादानंदसंदोहः समभून्मम सांप्रतम्
Therefore, at this very moment, a flood of joy has arisen within me.
अयोध्याया महापुर्या महिमानं गुणाधिकम्
The supreme greatness and abundant virtues of the great city of Ayodhya—
कः क्रमस्तीर्थयात्रायाः कानि तीर्थानि को विधिः एतत्सर्वं समाचक्ष्व विस्तराद्वदतां वर
What is the order of pilgrimage? Which are the sacred places, and what is the proper procedure? Please tell me all this in detail, O best of speakers.
दृश्यते येन पृच्छा ते ह्ययोध्यामहिमाश्रिता
By your question, the glory of Ayodhya is indeed revealed.
अकारो ब्रह्म च प्रोक्तं यकारो विष्णुरुच्यते 2.8.1.
The letter 'A' is said to be Brahma, and the letter 'Ya' is called Vishnu.