Shloka 1.5.1

अयोध्यानगरवर्णनम् (Description of Ayodhya and the Ikshvaku Royal Setting)

Devanagari script

.सर्वा पूर्वमियं येषामासीत्कृत्स्ना वसुन्धरा ।प्रजापतिमुपादाय नृपाणां जयशालिनाम् ।।।।

Transliteration

sarvā pūrvam iyaṁ yeṣām āsīt kṛtsnā vasundharā | prajāpatim upādāya nṛpāṇāṁ jayaśālinām ||

Translation

In former times, this entire earth belonged to victorious kings—beginning with Prajāpati (Manu) and his lineage.

Context

Formerly, this entire earth belonged to those victorious kings starting from Prajapati (Manu).

Characters & Entities

• Prajāpati (Manu)
• nṛpāḥ (kings)
• vasundharā (earth)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Rājadharma: rightful sovereignty is framed as inherited responsibility rooted in an acknowledged lineage, implying duty to protect and govern the earth.

What is the narrative situation?

The narrator introduces an ancient royal succession, situating later events within a legitimizing history of kings from Manu onward.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The ideal of victorious yet legitimate rulership—power is presented as grounded in continuity, order, and inherited duty.