Shloka 1.6.20
अयोध्यावर्णनम् — Description of Ayodhya under Daśaratha
सा तेनेक्ष्वाकुनाथेन पुरी सुपरिरक्षिता ।यथा पुरस्तान्मनुना मानवेन्द्रेण धीमता ।।1.6.20।।
sā tenekṣvākunāthena purī suparirakṣitā |
yathā purastān manunā mānavendreṇa dhīmatā || 1.6.20 ||
That city was excellently protected and governed by that lord of the Ikṣvākus, just as in ancient times it had been administered by Manu—the wise foremost among men.
That city was ably governed by Dasaratha, scion of the Ikshvakus, in the same way as it was previously administered by (Manu), the foremost among men and and the most intelligent.
Dharma is shown as continuity of righteous governance: a king protects the city not by force alone but by wise administration aligned with exemplary precedent (Manu as archetype of lawful order).
The narration continues praising Ayodhyā by linking Daśaratha’s rule to the ancient ideal of Manu’s governance, presenting Ayodhyā as a model polity.
Protective wisdom in kingship: Daśaratha’s excellence is framed as suparirakṣaṇa—competent, vigilant protection grounded in intelligence and tradition.