Shloka 22
अयोध्यानगरवर्णनम्
Description of Ayodhya and the Ikshvaku Royal Setting
ये च बाणैर्न विध्यन्ति विविक्तमपरापरम् ।शब्दवेध्यं च विततं लघुहस्ता विशारदा: ।।1.5.20।। सिंहव्याघ्रवराहाणां मत्तानां नर्दतां वने ।हन्तारो निशितैश्शस्त्रैर्बलाद्बाहुबलैरपि ।।1.5.21।। तादृशानां सहस्रैस्तामभिपूर्णां महारथै: ।पुरीमावासयामास राजा दशरथस्तदा ।।1.5.22।।
tādṛśānāṃ sahasrais tām abhipūrṇāṃ mahārathaiḥ |
purīm āvāsayāmāsa rājā daśarathas tadā ||
ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਹਾਰਥੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਹਜ਼ਾਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਅਯੋਧਿਆ ਪਰਿਪੂਰਨ ਹੋ ਗਈ; ਅਤੇ ਤਦ ਰਾਜਾ ਦਸ਼ਰਥ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਨਗਰੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣਾ ਨਿਵਾਸ ਕੀਤਾ।
The city was inhabited by thousands of warriors known as maharathas. They were skilled archers and sharphanded. They would not pierce with arrows, solitary persons, persons without defence, fleeing foes who could be tracked down through hints from sound. With sharp arrows or with the strength of their arms, they would kill roaring and inebriated lions, tigers, boars etc. in the forest. It was in that city (of Ayodhya) that king Dasaratha lived.
FAQs
Rajadharma: a righteous kingdom is supported by capable protectors; societal stability depends on trained defenders under lawful kingship.
The narrator concludes a description of Ayodhyā’s military strength and states that Daśaratha resided in that well-protected city.
Daśaratha’s role as a sustaining ruler who presides over a strong, organized civic order.