Summary
The riches and happiness enjoyed by the people, under the rein [controlling] of Emperor Dasharatha, along with the details of its valiant heroes, elephants, horses and the town planning are narrated.
Chapter [Sarga] 6 in Detail
He who is well-versed in Veda-s, who is a gatherer [to bring together] of all scholars, riches and forces as well, a foreseer [to see beforehand] and a great resplendent [shining brilliantly] one, also one who is esteemed by urbanites [who like in urban location] and countrymen alike, one who is a top-speeded chariot-warrior among the emperors of Ikshvaku kings, one who has performed many Vedic rituals, a virtuous one, a great controller, a saint-like kingly sage, one who he is renowned in all the three worlds, a mighty one with all his enemies eradicated, nevertheless who has friends, one who conquered all his senses, one who is similar to Indra, or Kubera on earth with his wealth, accumulations and other possessions, he that king Dasharatha while dwelling [staying] in the city of Ayodhya protected the world, like Manu, the foremost protector of mankind. [1-6-3, 4, 5]
He that truth-abiding king, who adheres to the three-fold virtues, rules the vast of that kingdom from that best city Ayodhya, as Indra rules heaven from his capital Amaravati. [1-6-5]
In that best city Ayodhya all are exuberant [plentiful] yet virtuous ones, and scholars are variously learned ones, people are satisfied with their own riches, they have no greed, and they advocate truthfulness alone. [1-6-6]
None with meager [small] accumulations is there in that great city and no householder is there without unearned means, and without cows, horses, monies or cereals and who could not sustain his family. [1-6-7]
None can see a lustful person, or a miser [one who is extremely stingy with money] or a cruel one anywhere in that Ayodhya, along with nondescripts [dull] or non-believers, for there are no such persons. [1-6-8]
All the ladies and gentlemen in that city are virtuous in mind, self-controlled ones, they are all self-satisfied like great saints, and both in their conduct and character they are blameless. [1-6-9]
In that city none is there without his earrings, headgear, or garlands, none is an enjoyer of lowly things, or misses his regular oil-baths, or with an un-creamed body with sandalwood paste or with other body cream, or with an un-perfumed physique. [1-6-10]
There is none who is famished [needy], an uncharitable one in his nature, one with an undecorated body with ornaments like bracelets or chest plates, and there is none without a kind heart. [1-6-11]
There is none someone who is without sacrificial fires, and none without performing sacrificial rituals, and none is low in living; neither an immoral, nor a bastard [an illegitimate child] nor even a thief, can be found in Ayodhya. [1-6-12]
The sense-controlled scholarly Vedic Brahmans are always engaged in their rituals, and they donate the education of Vedas to their students, as well practice their own, and while receiving donations they are principle-minded. [1-6-13]
There is no atheist [one who believes that there is no God], no liar, and none is less learnt in Veda-s, and no one is found to be jealous, or disabled, or unscholarly person. [1-6-14]
None can be found anywhere in Ayodhya without the knowledge of the six ancillaries of Veda-s like astrology, prosody [language], grammar etc., none a non-performer of the prescribed rituals, and none a non-donor in thousands, thus none with a saddened heart, turmoil in mind or agonized in will is there. [1-6-15]
Whoever it may be, either a gentleman or a lady, none is without wealth, even none without elegance or devoid of devotion to their king, and it is impossible to see suchlike person in Ayodhya. [1-6-16]
In the four-caste system, from the first caste to the last, everyone is a worshipper of deities and guests and everyone is also faithful, illustrious [eminent], valiant, and each one is a brave one. [1-6-17]
Longevity is there for all of the people, all are with virtuosity [great technical skill] and truthfulness, and they lived in that best city along with their sons, grandsons and their ladies. [1-6-18]
The warrior class Kshatriya-s is turned towards the Brahmans, the scholarly class, for intellectual and religious support. The trading class, Vysya-s, is the follower of the Kshatriya-s, the ruling class, for the state's economy is dependent on the ruler-ship. And the fourth one, Shudra-s, the working class, while performing its own duties, is always working for the other castes. [1-6-19]
That city is well protected by that king from Ikshvaku dynasty namely Dasharatha, like Manu, the foremost king of mankind in earlier times. [1-6-20]
That city Ayodhya is replete [full] with firebrand like skillful warriors that are intolerant of insults, and who have prosecuted [engaged] their education in archery, chariot-wars, swordplay etc. and with them it is like a cave replete [full] with lions. [1-6-21]
That city is full with best horses born in countries like Kaambhoja, Baahlika, Vanaayu, and also in river-bed counties, which are like the horse of Indra namely Uchchaishrava. [1-6-22]
Born in Vindhya Mountains, and also from Himalayan regions, mighty are the elephants fully vigorous and fattened ones, and most powerful in their strength and each in similitude [likeness] is a huge mountain. [1-6-23]
High bred from the classes of Airavata, the Elephant of Lord Indra, and from Mahapadma, Anjana and Vamana, too...are the elephants [of that city] [1-6-24]
That city is always full with vigorous and mountain like elephants bred mainly from three classes viz., Bhadra, Mandra and Mriga. And inter-bred among these three main classes are Bhadra-Mandra, Mandra-Mriga, Bhadra-Mriga and the like. [1-6-25-26a]
While residing in which city King Dasharatha ruled the world that city is further fortified up to two more yojana-s outside city, true to its name Ayodhya , an un-assailable [not attacked] one. [1-6-26]
In which city the great resplendent and admirable king Dasharatha resided, he ruled the world from that city with silenced enemies, like the moon governing the stars. [1-6-27]
With gorgeous arches, castle-door-bars and with amazingly built houses that city is magnificent and auspicious one, and full with thousands of provincial kings too, and king Dasharatha, a coequal [equal with one another] of Indra, indeed ruled that city which is true to its name. [1-6-28]
Thus, this is the 6th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate
