Shloka 1.6.23

अयोध्यावर्णनम् — Description of Ayodhya under Daśaratha

Devanagari script

विन्ध्यपर्वतजैर्मत्तै: पूर्णा हैमवतैरपि ।मदान्वितैरतिबलैर्मातङ्गै: पर्वतोपमै: ।।1.6.23।। ऐरावतकुलीनैश्च महापद्मकुलैस्तथा ।अञ्जनादपि निष्पन्नैर्वामनादपि च द्विपैः ।।1.6.24।।

Transliteration

vindhyaparvatajair mattaiḥ pūrṇā haimavatair api |

madānvitair atibalair mātaṅgaiḥ parvatopamaiḥ || 1.6.23 ||

Translation

It was full of rutting, intoxicated elephants—born in the Vindhya mountains and also in the Himālaya—mighty with musth, immensely strong, and mountain-like in stature.

Context

It was full of intoxicated elephants born in Vindhya mountains, elephants of enormousstrength looking like mountains and born in the Himalayas. Elephants of good breed hailing from the family of Airavata (Indra's vehicle), Mahapadma, Anjana and Vamana.

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhyā
• Vindhya
• Himavat (Himalaya)
• elephants (mātaṅga)

FAQs

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

The verse supports the dharmic ideal of a secure realm: material strength (war-elephants) is portrayed as serving stability and protection, not oppression.

What is the narrative situation?

The description continues cataloging Ayodhyā’s royal assets, here emphasizing elephants as symbols of military power and prosperity.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Strength under order: the city’s might is presented as organized and available for rightful defense.