Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 5, Shloka 13

अयोध्यानगरवर्णनम्

Description of Ayodhya and the Ikshvaku Royal Setting

Devanagari script

दुर्गगम्भीरपरिघां दुर्गामन्यैर्दुरासदाम् ।वाजिवारणसम्पूर्णां गोभिरुष्ट्रै: खरैस्तथा ।।।।

Transliteration

durgagambhīraparighāṁ durgām anyair durāsadām | vājivāraṇasampūrṇāṁ gobhir uṣṭraiḥ kharais tathā ||

Translation

അത് ദുർഗ്ഗസ്വരൂപമായിരുന്നു—ഗംഭീര പരിഘം (കുഴി/കന്ദകം)യും ദൃഢ പ്രതിരോധവും ഉള്ളത്, മറ്റുള്ളവർക്ക് സമീപിക്കുവാൻ ദുഷ്കരം; കുതിരകളും ആനകളും നിറഞ്ഞതും, അതുപോലെ പശുക്കൾ, ഒട്ടകങ്ങൾ, ഖച്ചറുകൾ എന്നിവകൊണ്ടും സമൃദ്ധമായിരുന്നു.

Word by Word

• durga-gambhīra-parighām: having strong fortifications and deep defenses
• durga-gambhīra-parighām: Karma (कर्म/Object—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durga (प्रातिपदिक) + gambhīra (प्रातिपदिक) + parigha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (“having strong fortifications and deep parigha/moat/barrier”)

• durgām: hard to access
• durgām: Karma (कर्म/Object—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• anyaiḥ: by others
• anyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument—agent with durāsadām)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; (agent/standard: “by others”)

• dur-āsadām: unapproachable
• dur-āsadām: Karma (कर्म/Object—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dur (उपसर्गवत्) + āsada (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त from ā-√sad/सद् “to approach/sit”)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; नञ्/दुर्-पूर्वक विशेषण (“difficult to be approached”)

• vāji-vāraṇa-sampūrṇām: filled with horses and elephants
• vāji-vāraṇa-sampūrṇām: Karma (कर्म/Object—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāji (प्रातिपदिक) + vāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + sampūrṇa (कृदन्त; sam-√pṝ/पॄ “to fill” + क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (“filled with horses and elephants”)

• gobhiḥ: with cattle
• gobhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument—association)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go (गो प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• uṣṭraiḥ: with camels
• uṣṭraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument—association)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uṣṭra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• kharaiḥ: with mules/donkeys
• kharaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument—association)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• tathā: and also
• tathā: Samuccaya (समुच्चय/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अनुक्रम-बोधक (adverb/conjunction: “and also/likewise”)

Context

It was enclosed by strong fortifications and a deep moat. No enemy can ever enter and occupy that city. It abounded with several elephants and horses, cattle, camels and mules.

Characters & Entities

• vāraṇa (elephants)
• khara (mules)

FAQs

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

A ruler’s dharma includes safeguarding the community: strong defenses and abundant resources symbolize protection and stability for subjects.

What is the narrative situation?

The epic emphasizes the city’s impregnability and material abundance as part of its ideal portrayal.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protective vigilance: the implied virtue of leadership is preparedness to prevent harm and ensure continuity of life and economy.