On the banks of the river Sarayu, there was a great and prosperous country named Koshala, inhabited by contented people. In it was the city of Ayodhya, famous in the three worlds, founded by the renowned Manu, a lord among men.
The city's thoroughfares extended for sixty miles; its beauty was enhanced by streets admirably planned, the principal highways being sprinkled with water and strewn with flowers.
King Dasaratha protected the city as Maghavan protects Amaravati.
He dwelt there in splendour, as Indra in heaven. The city had beautiful and massive gates and charming markets; its fortifications were planned by skilful engineers and artificers.
There were bards, ballad singers and public musicians in the city; the inhabitants were wealthy and had spacious houses with high arched porticos, decorated with flags and banners.
It was filled with extensive buildings and beautiful gardens, and surrounded by mango groves, tall trees enhancing the outskirts of the city, giving it the appearance of a beautiful girl wearing a girdle of greenery.
The city was enclosed by strong fortifications and a deep moat which no enemy, by any expedient whatsoever, could penetrate.
Countless elephants, horses, cattle, camels and mules were to be seen in the city. Innumerable ambassadors and merchants dwelt there and people from many lands traded peacefully within its walls.
Ayodhya, like Indra's Amaravati, was resplendent with gilded palaces, die walls of which were set with precious stones, the domes resembling mountain peaks.
Gem-encrusted, sky-kissing buildings could be seen throughout the royal capital.
Dwelling houses, tall and fair, stood in well-placed sites and resounded with delightful music. There were lovely dwellings occupied by men of noble birth, resembling the aerial chariots that carry those of pure life and spiritual perfection to heaven.
The warriors living in that city were of those who do not slay a fleeing foe, they were skilled archers, able to pierce a target by sound alone.
Many had slain tigers, lions and wolves wandering near their homes, either in single combat or with different kinds of weapons.
This great city which harboured thousands of chieftains was built by King Dasaratha.
In Ayodhya lived countless learned men engaged in the observance of rituals, there were also artists and craftsmen, men deeply read in the Veda and those endowed with every virtue, full of truth and wisdom, as well as thousands of seers and sages versed in the mystical science of Yoga.
There dwelt in that city, King Dasaratha, a follower of the tradition of the illustrious Emperor Manu.
The king was learned in the interpretation of the Vedas,
his chief wealth was pre-eminence in truth and virtue;
he was one who never broke his word,
who was ever prudent, majestic and beloved of his subjects,
a great charioteer,
a worthy descendant of the dynasty of Ikshwaku,
an observer of many sacrifices,
one who ever delighted in the practice of righteousness;
in full authority over his people, equal to a great sage;
a royal seer, renowned in the three worlds, triumphing over his enemies, a friend to all;
having perfect control of his senses and appetites; in prosperity equal to Indra; in wealth equal to Kuvera.
That truth-loving monarch, striving to acquire perfection in virtue, worldly prosperity and happiness, ruled the city as the celestial monarch Indra rules Amaravati.
The people in that city were happy, virtuous, learned, experienced, each satisfied with his state, practising his own calling, without avarice and of truthful speech. None was indigent or dwelt in a mean habitation; all lived happily with their families, possessing wealth, grain, cattle and horses.
In that city of Ayodhya, none was a miser or a swindler, none was mean-spirited, proud, rash, worthless or an atheist.
Men and women were of righteous conduct, fully self-controlled, and in their pure and chaste behaviour they equalled the great sages.
None lacked earrings, coronets and necklaces.
They bathed daily and rubbed their bodies with oil, using attar of roses and sandal paste.
None ate impure food, none allowed his neighbour to suffer hunger.
All possessed ornaments and gold, and there was none who had not learnt to subdue his mind.
No one in the city neglected to offer butter and fragrant objects in the sacrificial fire.
No one was mean, impious or failed to discharge his duties; there were no thieves and none were born of mixed castes.
The brahmins were devoted to their respective duties, firm in self-control and authorized to accept gifts.
None denied the existence of God, none uttered falsehood or were enamoured of worldly pleasure and none was guilty of slander.
No brahmin was unversed in the six systems of philosophy nor did any neglect to fast at the full moon, or on other appointed days; there were none who suffered from mental or physical infirmities and none were unhappy in that city.
Among the inhabitants, there were no revolutionaries and none who were not loyal to king and state. Those who dwelt there, worshipped the gods and the uninvited guest; they were both magnanimous and charitable.
All attained a ripe age as virtuous and truth-loving people; their homes were filled with children, grandchildren and virtuous women.
The warriors were subject to the learned brahmins and the merchants to the warrior caste; in accordance with their caste the people served the brahmins, the warriors and the merchants.
In the administration of the empire, the Emperor Dasaratha followed the example of the first ruler Manu who was supreme in wisdom and a god among men.
Ayodhya abounded in warriors, undefeated in battle, fearless and skilfiil in the use of arms, resembling lions guarding their mountain caves.
There were horses in the city from Kamroja, Vanaya, Nudi and Vahli, and elephants from the regions of Vindhu and Himavat.
The city of Ayodhya was full of courageous and noble men belonging to the races of Bhadra, Mulla and Mriga, inhabitants of the regions of Binchyachala and the Himalayan ranges.
The city possessed mighty elephants like great hills.
That capital was truly worthy of the name "Ayodhya", which means "The city none can challenge in warfare ".
Dwelling there, the Emperor Dasaratha, ruling the kingdom, resembled the moon in the midst of countless stars.
That great king, equal to Indra himself, reigned over the city, guarded by fortifications and ramparts, a city which contained innumerable dwellings of many kinds and thousands of prosperous inhabitants.
This is the line from the song "Chemistry of Love" by Evelyn "Champagne" King.
