Shloka 1.6.1
अयोध्यावर्णनम् — Description of Ayodhya under Daśaratha
. तस्यां पुर्यामयोध्यायां वेदवित्सर्वसङ्ग्रह: ।दीर्घदर्शी महातेजा: पौरजानपदप्रिय: ।।1.6.1।। इक्ष्वाकूणामतिरथो यज्वा धर्मरतो वशी ।महर्षिकल्पो राजर्षिस्त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुत: ।।1.6.2।। बलवान्निहतामित्रो मित्रवान्विजितेन्द्रिय: ।धनैश्च सङ्ग्रहैश्चान्यैश्शक्रवैश्रवणोपम: ।।1.6.3।। यथा मनुर्महातेजा लोकस्य परिरक्षिता ।तथा दशरथो राजा वसञ्जगदपालयत् ।। 1.6.4।।
tasyāṃ purīm ayodhyāyāṃ vedavit sarvasaṅgrahaḥ |
dīrghadarśī mahātejāḥ paurajānapadapriyaḥ ||1.6.1||
ikṣvākūṇām atiratho yajvā dharmarato vaśī |
maharṣikalpo rājarṣis triṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ ||1.6.2||
balavān nihatāmitro mitravān vijitendriyaḥ |
dhanaiś ca saṅgrahaiś cānyaiḥ śakravaiśravaṇopamaḥ ||1.6.3||
yathā manur mahātejā lokasya parirakṣitā |
tathā daśaratho rājā vasan jagad apālayat ||1.6.4||
In that city of Ayodhyā dwelt King Daśaratha—learned in the Vedas, abundant in every resource, farsighted and radiant, beloved by town and countryside. In the Ikṣvāku line he was a foremost chariot-warrior; a performer of sacrifice, devoted to dharma, and self-controlled—like a great rishi, a royal seer renowned in the three worlds. Strong, a crusher of foes, rich in friends, and master of his senses, he rivaled Indra and Kubera in prosperity. As mighty Manu protected the people, so King Daśaratha, residing there, safeguarded the world.
From that city of Ayodhya, king Dasaratha ruled the entire world, following the tradition of Manu who was a highly powerful protector of the people. Dasaratha waswell versed in the Vedas. He commanded all resources. Far-sighted, he possessed great prowess. He was dear to the inhabitants of towns and villages. Among Ikshvaku kings, he was a great charioteer capable of fighting with many maharathas single-handed. He performed many sacrifices and was devoted to the practice of dharma. He was in full control over his subjects. He was a great sage, a royal saint and renowned in the three worlds (Bhooloka, Bhuvarloka and Suvarloka). He was mighty. He was a destroyer of enemies. He had scores of good friends. He had perfect control over his senses. In riches, he was comparable to Indra and Kubera.
Rājadharma: the king’s righteousness is expressed as protection of the world, self-control, Vedic learning, and public welfare—rule as guardianship, not exploitation.
Early in Bālakāṇḍa, the poem establishes Ayodhyā’s setting and portrays Daśaratha’s ideal qualities before the events leading to Rāma’s birth and mission.
Daśaratha’s kingly excellence—discipline, generosity, strength, and devotion to dharma—modeling the ethical ideal of a ruler.