Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 6, Shloka 26

अयोध्यावर्णनम्

Description of Ayodhya under Daśaratha

Devanagari script

सा योजने च द्वे भूय: सत्यनामा प्रकाशते ।यस्यां दशरथो राजा वसन् जगदपालयत् ।।1.6.26।।

Transliteration

sā yojane ca dve bhūyaḥ satyanāmā prakāśate |

yasyāṃ daśaratho rājā vasan jagad apālayat || 1.6.26 ||

Translation

Umaabot pa sa dalawang yojana ang lawak, ang lunsod ay nagningning—tapat sa sariling pangalan—doon nanahan si Haring Daśaratha at namuno, na iniingatan ang daigdig.

Word by Word

• ताम्: that
• ताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• पुरीम्: city
• पुरीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• महातेजाः: of great splendor
• महातेजाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of सः/दशरथः
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः ‘महत् तेजो यस्य’

• राजा: king
• राजा: Apposition (समनाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• दशरथः: Daśaratha
• दशरथः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दशरथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• महान्: great
• महान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of दशरथः
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• शशास: ruled
• शशास: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शास् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; parasmaipada

• शमितामित्रः: having subdued enemies
• शमितामित्रः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of दशरथः
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शमित + अमित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः ‘शमिताः अमित्राः यस्य’ = one whose enemies are subdued

• नक्षत्राणि: stars
• नक्षत्राणि: Karma (कर्म) (object in simile)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्षत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• इव: like
• इव: Upamā (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय

• चन्द्रमाः: the moon
• चन्द्रमाः: Upamāna (उपमान) (standard of comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्द्रमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Context

The city where king Dasaratha lived and ruled, spread over a distance of sixteen miles. And it was worthy of its name.

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhyā
• Daśaratha
• jagat (the world/realm)

FAQs

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

Dharma is framed as protective rule (apālayat): the king’s duty is to guard the realm so that truth and order can flourish; the city being “satyanāmā” highlights alignment between name, reputation, and reality.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration summarizes Ayodhyā’s extent and radiance and links it directly to Daśaratha’s residence and governance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protectorship and truthfulness-by-action: Daśaratha is presented as a guardian-king whose rule makes the city worthy of its name.