Valmiki Ramayana 1.6.23-24: Bala Kanda, Sarga 6, Shlokas 23-24
अयोध्यावर्णनम् · Description of Ayodhya under Daśaratha
Narrated by ValmikiSetting: AyodhyaPlaces named: Vindhya mountains, Himalayas
विन्ध्यपर्वतजैर्मत्तैः पूर्णा हैमवतैरपि ।
मदान्वितैरतिबलैर्मातङ्गैः पर्वतोपमैः ॥२३॥
ऐरावतकुलीनैश्च महापद्मकुलैस्तथा ।
अञ्जनादपि निष्पन्नैर्वामनादपि च द्विपैः ॥२४॥
vindhyaparvatajairmattaiḥ pūrṇā haimavatairapi |
madānvitairatibalairmātaṅgaiḥ parvatopamaiḥ ||23||
airāvatakulīnaiśca mahāpadmakulaistathā |
añjanādapi niṣpannairvāmanādapi ca dvipaiḥ ||24||
अयोध्या में बड़े-बड़े हाथी थे। विंध्य पर्वत और हिमालय से लाए हुए, नशीले और बड़े ताकतवाले। कुछ ऐरावत और महापद्म के खानदान के थे, कुछ अंजन और वामन के खानदान के। हाथी इतने बड़े थे जैसे कोई पर्वत खड़ा हो।
Sandhi Notes
- विन्ध्यपर्वतजैर्मत्तैः = विन्ध्यपर्वतजैः + मत्तैः
- हैमवतैरपि = हैमवतैः + अपि
- मदान्वितैरतिबलैर्मातङ्गैः = मदान्वितैः + अतिबलैः + मातङ्गैः
- ऐरावतकुलीनैश्च = ऐरावतकुलीनैः + च
- महापद्मकुलैस्तथा = महापद्मकुलैः + तथा
- निष्पन्नैर्वामनादपि = निष्पन्नैः + वामनात् + अपि
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.
The teaching
Royal prosperity is reflected in the quality and lineage of the elephants maintained by the kingdom
- Ethical theme
- Raja-dharma
For your practice
Shows the material prosperity that accompanies righteous governance
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder), with Vira (heroism)
- Mood
- Majestic, powerful, splendid
Themes
- Royal Grandeur
- Aishvarya
- Kingdom Prosperity
- Itihasa
The divine elephants Airavata and Mahapadma represent cosmic forces serving the divine order
The elephant as symbol of strength and wisdom - Indra's vahana representing cosmic power
- Ayodhya and Elephants
- City possession
- Elephants and Vindhya Mountains
- Origin
- Elephants and Himalayas
- Origin
Mahabharata descriptions of Hastinapura; Vishnu Purana descriptions of Ayodhya
Airavata - Indra's elephant; Mahapadma - divine elephant
1.6.17; 1.6.18
Anuṣṭup
Narrative
Panchama
FAQs
While primarily descriptive, this verse illustrates the principle of Aishvarya (royal opulence) as a manifestation of righteous governance. A king's Dharma includes maintaining a well-equipped and majestic kingdom, symbolizing the prosperity that flows from just rule. The elephants represent strength and grandeur befitting a Dharmic king.
Valmiki continues his detailed description of Ayodhya's magnificence under King Dasaratha, specifically highlighting the royal stables filled with magnificent war elephants from various renowned lineages, demonstrating the kingdom's military might and wealth.
The virtue of royal magnificence (Aishvarya) is emphasized. The detailed listing of prestigious elephant lineages (Airavata, Mahapadma, Anjana, Vamana) shows Dasaratha's commitment to maintaining the highest standards befitting an Ikshvaku king, reflecting his dedication to royal Dharma.
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