Shloka 23
अयोध्यावर्णनम्
Description of Ayodhya under Daśaratha
विन्ध्यपर्वतजैर्मत्तै: पूर्णा हैमवतैरपि ।मदान्वितैरतिबलैर्मातङ्गै: पर्वतोपमै: ।।1.6.23।। ऐरावतकुलीनैश्च महापद्मकुलैस्तथा ।अञ्जनादपि निष्पन्नैर्वामनादपि च द्विपैः ।।1.6.24।।
vindhyaparvatajair mattaiḥ pūrṇā haimavatair api |
madānvitair atibalair mātaṅgaiḥ parvatopamaiḥ || 1.6.23 ||
वह (नगरी) विन्ध्य पर्वतों में जन्मे तथा हिमालय-जन्य, मद से उन्मत्त, अत्यन्त बलवान, पर्वत-तुल्य विशाल गजराजों से भरी थी।
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.
FAQs
The verse supports the dharmic ideal of a secure realm: material strength (war-elephants) is portrayed as serving stability and protection, not oppression.
The description continues cataloging Ayodhyā’s royal assets, here emphasizing elephants as symbols of military power and prosperity.
Strength under order: the city’s might is presented as organized and available for rightful defense.