In the glorious city of Ayodhyā, such was the virtue of its people and the excellence of its king that not a single person could be found who was greedy, miserly, or cruel. No one there was ignorant or atheistic; instead, all men and women were upright in conduct, well-disciplined, and joyful in their demeanor, shining with a purity akin to that of great sages. The citizens of Ayodhyā took pride in their appearance and well-being. Everyone wore earrings, crowns, and garlands; their bodies were adorned, washed, and fragrant, and they delighted in life’s pleasures. No one consumed impure food, nor was there anyone who withheld charity. All wore beautiful armlets, necklaces, and hand ornaments, and all practiced self-control. The sacred duties were never neglected in Ayodhyā. Every household maintained its sacred fires and performed sacrifices; there was no miser, thief, person of bad conduct, or anyone of mixed caste. The Brāhmaṇas were steadfast in their responsibilities, having mastered their senses, giving in charity, studying the scriptures, and accepting gifts with restraint. In this city, there was not an atheist, nor a liar, nor anyone lacking in learning or wisdom. No one was envious or incapable, and all were familiar with the six branches of learning. Everyone observed vows, gave generously, and there was no one poor, disturbed in mind, or afflicted by sorrow. Both men and women were blessed with fortune and beauty, and all were devoted to their king. Among the higher three castes, the people worshipped gods and honored guests. They were grateful, generous, and courageous, ever displaying valor. The people of Ayodhyā lived long lives, devoted to righteousness and truth, always surrounded by their sons, grandsons, and wives, enjoying harmony in that foremost of cities. Each caste fulfilled its duty: the kṣatriyas supported the brāhmaṇas, the vaiśyas were devoted to the kṣatriyas, and the śūdras faithfully served the three higher castes, intent on their own responsibilities. The city was well protected by the lord of the Ikṣvāku line, King Daśaratha, just as it had been in ages past by Manu, the wise king of men. Ayodhyā was filled with warriors as fierce and skilled as blazing fire, gracious yet unwavering, accomplished in all their arts—like a mighty cave filled with lions. The city was renowned for its splendid horses, which came from the Kāmboja and Bāhlīka lands, as well as from forests and rivers. It was also home to magnificent, intoxicated elephants from the Vindhya and Himalayan mountains, mighty as mountains themselves. Among these elephants were those descended from the noble Airāvata and Mahāpadma lineages, and others from the Añjana and Vāmana mountains. The city was further graced by elephants of the bhadra, mandra, mṛga, bhadramandra, bhadramṛga, and mṛgamandra types. Always resounding with the trumpeting of elephants, Ayodhyā—also known as Satyanāmā—stretched for more than two yojanas, where King Daśaratha dwelled and protected the world. King Daśaratha, radiant and mighty, ruled this city, subduing his enemies and shining like the moon among the stars. Ayodhyā, Satyanāmā by name, was fortified with strong gates and bars, adorned with splendid houses, bustling with thousands of people, and ruled by a king equal to Indra himself. The great-souled Ikṣvāku king was served by ministers of exceptional virtue, skilled in counsel, perceptive even of unspoken gestures, and ever devoted to what was both pleasing and beneficial for the realm. He had eight ministers—Dhṛṣṭi, Jayanta, Vijaya, Surāṣṭra, Rāṣṭravardhana, Akopa, Dharmapāla, and Sumantra, the wise—each pure in conduct, loyal, and ever attentive to royal duties. The king’s two chief priests, Vasiṣṭha and Vāmadeva, were eminent among seers, and he was further advised by other counselors—Suyajña, Jābāli, Kāśyapa, Gautama, the long-lived Mārkaṇḍeya, and the sage Kātyāyana—all brahmarṣis who had long served as his priests. These men were learned, disciplined, modest, self-controlled, and skilled in their duties. The king’s counselors were endowed with energy, patience, and fame. They spoke gently, never uttering a false word, whether out of anger, desire, or self-interest. Nothing within the city or beyond, whether done, being done, or merely intended—even in secret—escaped their notice. They were skilled in proper conduct, steadfast in friendship, and just, imposing timely punishment even on their own sons when necessary. Adept at collecting revenue and managing the army, they never harmed an innocent person, even if he were an enemy. Brave and ever-energetic, they upheld royal law and protected the pure citizens of the realm. By refraining from harming Brāhmaṇas or Kṣatriyas, they filled the treasury, and when punishment was required, they considered a person’s strength and weakness before acting. All these ministers were pure, single-minded, and discerning. Nowhere in the city or kingdom was anyone found who spoke falsely. There was not a wicked man, nor anyone who coveted another’s wife, and peace prevailed throughout the kingdom and its chief city. The ministers dressed in clean, fine garments, observed pure vows, and, ever alert, sought the king’s welfare. They had acquired the virtues of their teachers, were famed for their valor, known even in distant lands, and unwavering in their understanding. Endowed with virtues, experts in the principles of alliance and conflict, and naturally prosperous, they were skilled in keeping counsel and subtle reasoning. Always speaking pleasantly and well-versed in the science of polity, they were the true pillars of Ayodhyā’s greatness. Thus ends the seventh sarga in the Bālakāṇḍa of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa.