In the splendid city of Ayodhyā, the social order was harmonious and well-ordered. The kṣatriyas, noble warriors, upheld and protected the brāhmaṇas, who in turn preserved sacred knowledge and rituals. The vaiśyas, devoted to the kṣatriyas, played their part in sustaining the city's prosperity, while the śūdras diligently attended to their own duties, serving the three higher castes with sincerity and skill. This illustrious city was guarded with great care by King Daśaratha, the lord of the Ikṣvāku dynasty, just as it had been in ancient days by Manu, the wise king of men. Ayodhyā teemed with mighty warriors, their valor blazing like fire. They were skilled in arms, gracious in conduct, and unyielding in battle—like a lion’s den filled with fierce protectors. The city’s stables were home to the finest horses, some hailing from the distant lands of the Kāmbojas and Bāhlīkas, others bred in forests and along rivers, all strong and swift. The streets and training grounds echoed with the trumpeting of elephants, great beasts brought from the Vindhya mountains and the Himalayas, their massive forms as imposing as living mountains. Among them were elephants descended from the noble lineages of Airāvata and Mahāpadma, and others from the Añjana and Vāmana mountains. Ayodhyā also boasted elephants of every renowned type—bhadra, mandra, mṛga, bhadramandra, bhadramṛga, and mṛgamandra—filling the city with their majestic presence. Always alive with these mighty, intoxicated elephants, Ayodhyā—also known as Satyanāmā—spanned more than two yojanas in breadth. Here, King Daśaratha resided, upholding dharma and protecting the world. Like the moon shining among the stars, the radiant Daśaratha ruled over Ayodhyā, subduing his enemies and bringing peace to his people. The city, with its strong gates and bars, was adorned with splendid houses and filled with auspiciousness, bustling with thousands of citizens. King Daśaratha, equal to Indra in majesty, reigned over this blessed realm. Now, King Daśaratha was served by ministers of exceptional virtue. These wise counselors, devoted to the great-souled Ikṣvāku, were skilled in counsel, perceptive to the slightest gesture, and ever attentive to what was beneficial and pleasing for the kingdom. The illustrious king had eight principal ministers: Dhṛṣṭi, Jayanta, Vijaya, Surāṣṭra, Rāṣṭravardhana, Akopa, Dharmapāla, and Sumantra, the wise and experienced eighth. His court was further graced by two chief priests, eminent among seers—Vasiṣṭha and Vāmadeva—as well as other learned counselors: Suyajña, Jābāli, Kāśyapa, Gautama, the long-lived Mārkaṇḍeya, and the sage Kātyāyana. These brahmarṣis, always his former priests, were learned, disciplined, modest, self-controlled, and skilled in their sacred duties. The king’s ministers and priests were energetic, patient, and renowned for their gentle speech and unwavering truthfulness, never uttering a false word, whether moved by anger, desire, or self-interest. Nothing escaped their knowledge—no deed, past, present, or future, whether among their own or others, even if done in secret. They were skilled in conduct, loyal in friendship, and impartial in justice, punishing even their own sons if necessary. They were adept at gathering revenue, managing the army, and never harmed an innocent person, even if he were an enemy. Brave and tireless, they upheld royal law and protected the pure citizens of the realm. By refraining from harming brāhmaṇas or kṣatriyas, they filled the treasury, and dispensed justice with strictness, always considering a person’s strength and weakness. Among these upright and single-minded men, all were discerning; nowhere in the city or kingdom was falsehood spoken. There was no wickedness, no one who coveted another’s wife—the kingdom and its chief city were peaceful. All the people wore clean garments, were well-dressed, observed pure vows, and remained ever vigilant for the king’s welfare. They had acquired their teachers’ virtues, were renowned for their valor, known even in distant lands, and stood firm in understanding and resolve. Every one of them was virtuous, none lacking in merit, and all were experts in the principles of alliance and conflict, naturally blessed with prosperity. They kept counsel, reasoned subtly, spoke pleasantly, and were well-versed in the science of statecraft. Thus, with such faultless ministers, King Daśaratha ruled the earth. He governed his subjects with righteousness, protecting them and observing their affairs through trusted spies, always avoiding unrighteousness. His fame spread throughout the three worlds; generous in speech and steadfast in truth, he was a tiger among men. No enemy was his equal or superior; he was friendly to allies, respectful to vassals, and crushed adversaries with his might, ruling the world as the lord of gods rules in heaven. Surrounded by devoted and capable ministers, steadfast in giving wise counsel, the king shone with brilliance, like the sun rising with radiant rays. Yet, despite such power, righteousness, and greatness of soul, King Daśaratha was troubled—he had no son to continue his noble line. This longing weighed on his heart, and he thought, “Why should I not perform the Aśvamedha sacrifice for the sake of a son?” Resolving firmly to undertake this sacred rite, the wise and righteous king consulted his accomplished ministers and made up his mind. He summoned Sumantra, the best of counselors, and commanded, “Quickly bring to me all the elders and priests.” Swift as ever, Sumantra went forth and gathered all those learned in the Vedas, preparing for the king’s solemn undertaking. Thus concludes this portion of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa.