Shloka 1.6.2
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।।
ikṣvākūṇām atiratho yajvā dharmarato vaśī |
maharṣikalpo rājarṣis triṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ || 1.6.2 ||
Among the Ikṣvāku kings, Daśaratha was a supreme warrior-charioteer; a performer of yajñas, devoted to dharma, self-mastered and disciplined. Like a great ṛṣi upon the throne—a rājārṣi—he was renowned across the three worlds.
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 was well versed in the Vedas. He commanded all resources. Farsighted, 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 singlehanded. 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.
The verse upholds rājadhrama: a king’s legitimacy rests on devotion to dharma, ritual responsibility (yajña as public duty), and self-mastery (vaśī). Power is praised only when governed by righteousness and restraint.
In Bālakāṇḍa Sarga 6, the poet describes Ayodhyā and the qualities of King Daśaratha to establish the moral and political excellence of the kingdom into which Rāma is born.
Self-control and saintly kingship: Daśaratha is portrayed as a rājarṣi—warrior strength joined with ethical discipline and a sage-like commitment to dharma.