Shloka 1.6.18

अयोध्यावर्णनम् — Description of Ayodhya under Daśaratha

Devanagari script

वर्णेष्वग्र्यचतुर्थेषु देवतातिथिपूजका:।कृतज्ञाश्च वदान्याश्च शूरा विक्रमसंयुता: ।।1.6.17।। दीर्घायुषो नरास्सर्वे धर्मं सत्यं च संश्रिता: ।सहिता: पुत्रपौत्रैश्च नित्यं स्त्रीभि: पुरोत्तमे ।।1.6.18।।

Transliteration

dīrghāyuṣo narāḥ sarve dharmaṁ satyaṁ ca saṁśritāḥ |

sahitāḥ putrapautraiś ca nityaṁ strībhiḥ purottame ||1.6.18||

Translation

All the men were long-lived, devoted to dharma and truth; and in that foremost of cities they always lived together with sons, grandsons, and wives.

Context

There in Ayodhya the best of cities, the first of the four castes (brahmins) used to worship gods and guests. They had the sense of gratitude. They were munificient, heroic and possessed prowess. They lived long. They were righteous and truthful. And they lived together with their sons, grandsons and wives.

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhyā

FAQs

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

Dharma and satya sustain both personal well-being (long life) and social well-being (stable family and community life).

What is the narrative situation?

The description culminates in the citizens’ adherence to dharma and truth, and their settled household life in Ayodhyā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthfulness (satya) as a lived social value, expressed through stability and harmony.