Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 5, Shloka 11

अयोध्यानगरवर्णनम्

Description of Ayodhya and the Ikshvaku Royal Setting

Devanagari script

सूतमागधसम्बाधां श्रीमतीमतुलप्रभाम् ।उच्चाट्टालध्वजवतीं शतघ्नीशतसङ्कुलाम् ।।।।

Transliteration

sūtamāgadhasambādhāṁ śrīmatīm atulaprabhām | uccāṭṭāladhvajavatīṁ śataghnīśatasaṅkulām ||

Translation

Elle foisonnait de bardes et de généalogistes; prospère, elle resplendissait d’un éclat incomparable. Elle avait de hautes constructions ornées d’étendards et regorgeait de centaines de śataghnīs, engins de défense.

Word by Word

• sūta-māgadha-sambādhām: crowded with bards and genealogists
• sūta-māgadha-sambādhām: Karma (कर्म/Object—qualifier of purīm)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūta (प्रातिपदिक) + māgadha (प्रातिपदिक) + sambādha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (sambādhā = “crowded with”; “with sūtas and māgadhas”)

• śrī-matīm: splendid / prosperous
• śrī-matīm: Karma (कर्म/Object—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrī + -mat (मत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; मत्-प्रत्ययान्त

• atula-prabhām: of matchless splendour
• atula-prabhām: Karma (कर्म/Object—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: atula (प्रातिपदिक) + prabhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (“matchless” + “splendour” → “of matchless splendour”)

• uccaiḥ-aṭṭāla-dhvaja-vatīm: having lofty towers adorned with flags
• uccaiḥ-aṭṭāla-dhvaja-vatīm: Karma (कर्म/Object—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uccaiḥ (अव्यय) + aṭṭāla (प्रातिपदिक) + dhvaja (प्रातिपदिक) + -vat (वत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (“having lofty watchtowers/edifices with flags”); uccaiḥ as adverbial first member

• śataghnī-śata-saṅkulām: filled with hundreds of śataghnī weapons
• śataghnī-śata-saṅkulām: Karma (कर्म/Object—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śataghnī (प्रातिपदिक) + śata (संख्याशब्द) + saṅkula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (“crowded with hundreds of śataghnīs”)

Context

With matchless splendour, it abounded in eulogists and genealogists. It contained stately edifices decorated with flags and hundreds of sataghnis (missiles).

Characters & Entities

• sūta (bards)
• māgadha (panegyrists/genealogists)
• śataghnī (weapon/missile)
• dhvaja (flags)

FAQs

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

Dharma integrates culture and protection: the city honors memory and legitimacy through bards while maintaining defense—both support stable, righteous rule.

What is the narrative situation?

The epic continues its portrayal of an ideal capital, highlighting cultural institutions and military preparedness.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Balanced kingship: patronage of learning and tradition alongside readiness to defend the realm.