Sarga 6: King Dasharatha
Dasharatha Raja
Introduction of ideal king — qualities, administration, no heir.
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तस्यां पुर्यामयोध्यायां वेदवित्सर्वसङ्ग्रह: । दीर्घदर्शी महातेजा: पौरजानपदप्रिय: ।।1.6.1।। इक्ष्वाकूणामतिरथो यज्वा धर्मरतो वशी । महर्षिकल्पो राजर्षिस्त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुत: ।।1.6.2।। बलवान्निहतामित्रो मित्रवान्विजितेन्द्रिय: । धनैश्च सङ्ग्रहैश्चान्यैश्शक्रवैश्रवणोपम: ।।1.6.3।। यथा मनुर्महातेजा लोकस्य परिरक्षिता । तथा दशरथो राजा वसञ्जगदपालयत् ।। 1.6.4।।
Meaning
In that city of Ayodhya ruled Dasaratha — versed in the Vedas, commander of vast resources, farsighted and splendorous, beloved of town and country alike. A mighty charioteer among the Ikshvaku kings, devoted to sacrifice and dharma, firmly in control of his realm, he was a royal seer renowned through the three worlds: strong, victorious over enemies, rich in friends, master of his own senses, and rivaling Indra and Kubera in wealth. As Manu once protected the world, so did King Dasaratha, dwelling there, protect it.
तेन सत्याभिसन्धेन त्रिवर्गमनुतिष्ठता । पालिता सा पुरी श्रेष्ठा इन्द्रेणेवामरावती ।।1.6.5।।
Meaning
True to his word and devoted to dharma, artha and kama alike, he governed that finest of cities as Indra governs Amaravati.
तस्मिन्पुरवरे हृष्टा धर्मात्मानो बहुश्रुता: । नरास्तुष्टा धनैस्स्वैस्स्वैरलुब्धास्सत्यवादिन: ।।1.6.6।।
Meaning
The people of that great city were joyful, virtuous, deeply learned, content with their own possessions, free of greed, and always spoke the truth.
नाल्पसन्निचय: कश्चिदासीत्तस्मिन् पुरोत्तमे । कुटुम्बी यो ह्यसिद्धार्थोऽगवाश्वधनधान्यवान् ।।1.6.7।।
Meaning
In that finest of cities there was no householder of meager means — every family had wealth of cattle, horses, grain and gold.
कामी वा न कदर्यो वा नृशंस: पुरुष: क्वचित् । द्रष्टुं शक्यमयोध्यायान्नाविद्वान्न च नास्तिक: ।।1.6.8।।
Meaning
Nowhere in Ayodhya could one find a lustful man, a miser, a cruel person, an ignoramus, or an atheist.
सर्वे नराश्च नार्यश्च धर्मशीलास्सुसंयता: । उदिताश्शीलवृत्ताभ्यां महर्षय इवामला: ।।1.6.9।।
Meaning
All the men and women there were righteous in conduct and fully self-controlled, pure and flourishing in behavior like the great sages themselves.
नाकुण्डली नामकुटी नास्रग्वी नाल्पभोगवान् । नामृष्टो नानुलिप्ताङ्गो नासुगन्धश्च विद्यते ।।1.6.10।।
Meaning
None went without earrings, without a coronet, without garlands, or with only meager comforts; none were unwashed, unanointed, or without fragrance on the body.
नामृष्टभोजी नादाता नाप्यनङ्गदनिष्कधृक् । नाहस्ताभरणो वाऽपि दृश्यते नाप्यनात्मवान् ।।1.6.11।।
Meaning
None ate without full satisfaction, none lacked generosity, none went without armlets and neck ornaments, without hand ornaments, or without mastery over the self.
नानाहिताग्निर्नायज्वा न क्षुद्रो वा न तस्कर: । कश्चिदासीदयोध्यायान्न च निर्वृत्तसङ्कर: ।।1.6.12।।
Meaning
In Ayodhya none neglected the sacrificial fire or the sacrifices themselves; there were no mean-spirited people, no thieves, and no children of improper mixed descent.
स्वकर्मनिरता नित्यं ब्राह्मणा विजितेन्द्रिया: । दानाध्ययनशीलाश्च संयताश्च परिग्रहे ।।1.6.13।।
Meaning
The brahmins were always devoted to their duties, in full command of their senses, given to charity and study, and disciplined in what they received and in their marital lives.