Surrounded on all sides by troupes of graceful actresses and skillful dancers, the city shone with the beauty of lush gardens and abundant mango groves. Encircling it stood a grand belt of śāla trees, like emerald sentinels guarding its borders. Deep, fortified moats made the city difficult for outsiders to approach, while within, the streets bustled with horses, elephants, cattle, camels, and donkeys—creatures of strength and service, filling the city with life. Assemblies of vassal kings, come to pay tribute, ringed the city, while merchants from distant lands added to its splendor and wealth. Palaces adorned with glittering jewels rose like mountains, and lofty mansions filled the city, making it resemble Amarāvatī, the fabled city of Indra. Its very shape was like a chessboard—orderly and elegant—teeming with noble women, dazzling jewels, and celestial mansions that touched the sky. The city’s foundations were deep and unbroken, built on level ground and blessed with stores of rice and barley, and with water sweetened by sugarcane. Its streets resounded with the music of drums, mridangas, veenas, and panavas, their rhythms echoing across the earth. The dwellings, well-arranged and filled with noble men, seemed like the celestial abodes attained by the Siddhas through their austerities in heaven. Within the city lived warriors of extraordinary skill—archers who never missed their mark, whether near or far, and who could strike by sound alone, their hands light and sure. They were mighty slayers of roaring lions, tigers, and wild boars in the forests, wielding sharp weapons with the strength of their arms. King Daśaratha filled his city with thousands of such great chariot-warriors, their valor a living shield for Ayodhyā. Surrounding the city were virtuous and eminent twice-borns, their radiance like fire, masters of the six branches of the Vedas. Thousands of great souls, devoted to truth, sages like great rishis and pure ascetics, made their homes there, adding spiritual splendor to the city. In this glorious city of Ayodhyā, as recounted in the Bāla Kāṇḍa of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, there lived one supremely learned in the Vedas, possessing all knowledge, farsighted and radiant, beloved by citizens and country folk alike. Among the Ikṣvākus, he stood as a mighty charioteer and sacrificer, devoted to righteousness and self-control—a royal sage renowned in the three worlds, like a great rishi. Strong and a destroyer of enemies, he was friendly and master of his senses, and in wealth and treasures, he rivaled Indra and Kubera. Just as the brilliant Manu once protected the world, so too did King Daśaratha watch over his people. Through his truthful resolve and observance of the threefold aim of life—dharma, artha, and kāma—he governed Ayodhyā as Indra rules Amarāvatī. In this foremost of cities, no one was poor or lacking; every householder was accomplished, possessing cows, horses, riches, and grain. There was no one greedy, miserly, or cruel; nor was there anyone ignorant or atheistic. All men and women walked the path of righteousness, well-disciplined, joyful of heart and pure in conduct, like great sages themselves. No one was without earrings, without a crown, or without a garland; all were adorned, clean, and fragrant, enjoying the pleasures of life. None ate unclean food, none withheld gifts, and all adorned themselves with armlets, necklaces, and ornaments, practicing self-control in all things. In Ayodhyā, no one neglected sacred fires or failed to perform sacrifices; there was no miser, thief, person of bad conduct, or of mixed caste. The Brāhmaṇas were ever devoted to their duties: masters of their senses, practicing charity and study, restrained in accepting gifts. There was no atheist, liar, or one lacking learning; no one was envious, incapable, or unwise. All were versed in the six branches of learning, kept their vows, gave generously, and none were poor or afflicted in mind. No man or woman lacked fortune or beauty, nor was there anyone who did not revere the king. Among the higher three castes, all worshipped gods and guests, were grateful, generous, heroic, and endowed with valor. The people lived long, devoted to righteousness and truth, always together with their sons, grandsons, and wives in that blessed city. The kṣatriyas supported the brāhmaṇas, the vaiśyas were devoted to the kṣatriyas, and the śūdras performed their own duties, serving the three higher castes. The city was well protected by the lord of the Ikṣvāku dynasty, just as Manu had protected it in ancient times. Ayodhyā was filled with warriors like blazing fires—skilled, gracious, and unyielding, accomplished in their arts, as fierce as lions in their den. The city boasted the finest horses from the lands of the Kāmbojas and Bāhlīkas, as well as excellent forest and river horses. Great elephants, intoxicated and mighty, came from the Vindhya mountains and the Himalayas, their forms as grand as mountains themselves. There were elephants descended from the Airāvata and Mahāpadma lineages, and those from the Añjana and Vāmana mountains, as well as the bhadra, mandra, mṛga, bhadramandra, bhadramṛga, and mṛgamandra breeds. Always resounding with the trumpeting of elephants, the city—known as Satyanāmā—spanned more than two yojanas, where King Daśaratha dwelled and protected the world. That great and radiant king ruled Ayodhyā, subduing his enemies like the moon shining among the stars. Thus, the city of Ayodhyā, Satyanāmā—adorned with strong gates and bars, splendid houses, auspiciousness, and teeming with thousands of men—was ruled by King Daśaratha, equal to Indra himself, a beacon of righteousness and glory upon the earth.