Valmiki Ramayana 1.6.17-18: Bala Kanda, Sarga 6, Shlokas 17-18
अयोध्यावर्णनम् · Description of Ayodhya under Daśaratha
वर्णेष्वग्र्यचतुर्थेषु देवतातिथिपूजकाः ।
कृतज्ञाश्च वदान्याश्च शूरा विक्रमसंयुताः ॥१७॥
दीर्घायुषो नरास्सर्वे धर्मं सत्यं च संश्रिताः ।
सहिताः पुत्रपौत्रैश्च नित्यं स्त्रीभिः पुरोत्तमे ॥१८॥
varṇeṣvagryacaturtheṣu devatātithipūjakāḥ |
kṛtajñāśca vadānyāśca śūrā vikramasaṃyutāḥ ||17||
dīrghāyuṣo narāssarve dharmaṃ satyaṃ ca saṃśritāḥ |
sahitāḥ putrapautraiśca nityaṃ strībhiḥ purottame ||18||
अयोध्या में सब लोग बड़े अच्छे थे। देवी-देवताओं और मेहमानों की पूजा करते थे, अच्छे इंसान थे, झगड़ा नहीं करते थे। सब लंबी उमर जीते थे, सच बोलते थे, धरम के काम करते थे। अपनी बीवी, बेटे और पोतों के साथ खुश रहते थे।
There in Ayodhya the best of cities, the first of the four castes (brahmins) used to worship gods and guests. They had the sense of gratitude. They were munificient, heroic and possessed prowess. They lived long. They were righteous and truthful. And they lived together with their sons, grandsons and wives.
FAQs
The verse presents an ideal society where Dharma and Satya form the foundation of life. The brahmins exemplify Dharma through worship (devatātithipūjakāḥ), gratitude (kṛtajñāḥ), and generosity (vadānyāḥ). The entire society thrives because everyone abides by righteousness and truth, creating harmony across generations.
Valmiki is describing the ideal state of Ayodhya under King Dasaratha's rule, painting a picture of a prosperous, virtuous society where social order is maintained through proper observance of Dharma by all classes, particularly the brahmins who set the moral standard.
Multiple virtues are emphasized: gratitude (kṛtajñāḥ), generosity (vadānyāḥ), heroism (śūrāḥ), and most importantly, devotion to Dharma and Satya. The mention of multi-generational family life (putrapautraiḥ) indicates that virtue creates lasting prosperity across generations.
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