One of the main virtues and motives behind starting the blog on the age-old subject of ‘Ramayana’ is to impart age-old practices into the young nation and get the priorities right. There must be people living in the land who live by and practice the ideals of the epic in their lives. Ramayana in India is sustained for so long, because there are ‘Ram Bhakts’ in every corner of the country and the devotion which is running in the veins of the nation. The cultural fabric of sustenance should be created in this young nation as well by clinging to age-old ideals. Culture of a nation or the way of living is an important tool for anyone to see. There is a lot of scope to exchange notes and impart it as part of lifestyle. There is a lot of room for improvement in the prevailing Western culture, which even a large part of India clings to. There is a huge space which this epic can fill in this nation. Even though I am not a qualified person to talk about this subject, I got this opportunity by virtue of many great men in India, who molded my personality and character. Hence, I feel extremely grateful for writing about this in this space.
As I said, the epic has withstood the test of time which details the occurrence of thousands of years-old story. It is an amazement, that the epic written so poetically in the ancient Sanskrit language moved people for as old as life is there on earth and will continue as a guiding force far into the future. We can hold on to the temporary or transient goods but establishing practices for longevity is the need of the hour. There is none other than this beautiful epic which can lend some of its age if we cling to it. Once again, there is no major obligation on anyone to follow, read, practice or improve. There is no need to get distracted or disrupted suddenly, as change can be slow and takes a lot of time and effort. This holy task is a small step in that direction, that if a few handfuls are inspired to shape their personality, it will make a huge difference to the future. Even if there is no outward change, I write it to create peace in myself. I feel a lot of joy in reading on this subject to write this blog post after bearing a lot of turbulence in these times.
With that, let us delve into the detailed story of Lord Rama as portrayed by Valmiki through Lava, Kusa after a brief background. Lava and Kusa started by tracing the descent of the Ikshwaku kings to Vaivaswata Manu and King Sagara. Ramayana recounts the victories and glories of the dynasty founded by Ikshvaku, a descendant of Manu. As it relates to the story of Rama, the noblest of Ikshvakus, it came to be known as Ramayana. The Ikshvakus were descendants of Brahma, lord of creation, by whose grace the Ramayana came forth. Among the Ikshvakus was the great Sagara, who caused the ocean to be dug. The Ramayana, which has the principle qualities of human life- Dharma, Artha and Kama incorporated into it, should be heard from the beginning and without prejudice.
On the banks of the river Sarayu was situated the happy and prosperous country of Kosala, inhabited by contented people who were abounding in wealth and grain. In the Kosala empire was the famous city of Ayodhya, created by Manu, the lord of men and lawmaker. It was a magnificent city, twelve yojanas(ninety-six miles) long and three yojanas(twenty-four miles) wide with well-laid out streets and royal highways that were constantly sprinkled with water and strewn with flower petals. Having expanded his already vast empire, like the lord of the gods Indra, in Amaravathi, king Dasaratha lived in his Ayodhya, which had beautiful ornate gates, with paneled doors. Its markets' displaying every conceivable article instrument and weapon was home to every great artisan. Beyond comparison in splendor, bustling with bards and storytellers, ramparts that girdled it fluttered with flags and 'sataghnis', rendering it a strikingly spectacular city. Ayodhya had several dancers and actors creating an ambiance of beauty and color. Filled with groves and gardens, it was surrounded by suburban towns. There was an abundance of animals like elephants, horses, cattle, camels, mules and more. True to its name the entire city surrounded by a moat was so well fortified that it was impregnable and so was known as Ayodhya, the inviolable.
Filled with neighboring kings who come to pay taxes and tribute, bustling with merchants from near and distant lands, Ayodhya was as dazzling as lndra's Amaravathi, abounding in all kinds of gems, even mansions and palaces were studded with precious stones making Ayodhya look like a celestial palace floating in the sky. People lived in well-built houses. Paddy and rice were stored in abundance and water was as sweet as sugarcane juice. There was no place on earth like Ayodhya where women were beautiful and men were handsome. The entire city was vibrant with the music of dundubhis, mrdangas, veenas, trumpets, and panavas. The king filled this city with charioteers who were also warriors of great skill and dexterity, known as Maharathas. They were men of honor, who would never shoot an arrow at a person who was alone, unarmed, fleeing, hiding or if he were the sole supporter of a family. Yet they would kill with bare hands, if necessary, raging lions, tigers and boars of the forest.
The Brahmins of Ayodhya who tended the sacrificial fires were masters of Vedas and Vedangas whose caliber matched that of Maharshis like Vasishta. The Kshatriyas and Vaisyas performed their duties implicitly. All were charitable, honest and upright. Devoted to the truth, they were forgiving, patient and highly intelligent.
Brilliant, valorous, and virtuous, king Dasaratha famed in the three words, as an Athiratha, renowned for the subjugation of his senses ruled the entire world, residing in the city of Ayodhya, as had Manu. He was the master of the Vedas, a commander of all resources and gifted with foresight, prepared to meet any challenge. He was dear to those living in towns and villages too. Among the Ikshvakus, he was renowned as an unrivaled warrior fighting from speeding chariots. He performed many sacrifices, devoted to righteousness he was perfectly self-disciplined and was famed in the three worlds as a destroyer of foes. In wealth and riches, Dasaratha matched Indra and Kubera. Colossus among men, he was true to his word, adhered to virtue and ruled Ayodhya the best of cities as did Indra, his Amaravathi. In this magnificent city, people were cheerful, honest and upright. They had profound knowledge of the Vedas and Sastras, were truthful and not covetous, for each man was content with whatever he possessed. There was no householder without a significant amount of property who had not achieved his or her goals of Dharma, Artha and Kama. They never lacked wealth of money, horses, cattle or grain. Nowhere in Ayodhya could be found a philanderer, a miser, an unlettered person or an atheist.
All men and women conducted themselves decorously. None were without earrings, diadems, necklaces or garlands. They led a life of happiness and many pleasures. They bathed in scented water, used unguents and perfumes and wore armlets and golden breastplates. All had good clean food, were generous and exercised restraint over their passions and emotions. There were no thieves, no mean minded persons or people of improper descent and mixed castes. The Brahmins meticulously tended the sacred fires, performed Chandrayana, promoted the Vedas, and were proficient in Sastras. Marital relations were pure. None denied the existence of god nor uttered a lie. All adored their king, none were unhappy or fickle-minded. There was no man or woman who was not endowed with beauty. The people of Ayodhya were by nature charitable and given to self-study. The four castes worshiped their guests as gods. Protected by truth and honor, they lived long and happily amidst generations of their children and grandchildren.
Kshatriyas were submissive to Brahmins and Vaisyas followed Kshatriyas. Sudras assisted all others. Everyone was fully occupied in their profession. Like Manu Dasaratha ably governed the city known for its lion-like warriors, skilled, accomplished and invincible masters in their art. Ayodhya had horses from the regions of Kamboja, Bahlika, Vanayu and Sindhu, comparable to Indra's horse Utchaisrava. There were other mighty elephants born in the Vindhyas and the Himalayas, peerless breeds, from Airavata, Mahapadma, Anjana and Vamana, belonging to the races of Bhadra, Mandra, Mriga and interbreeds of the race of Bhadra and Mandra, Mandra and Mriga, as well as Bhadra and Mriga. With its teeming population of thousands, resplendent with monumental buildings, strong gates with firm bolts, Ayodhya, which meant "the unassailable" was truly meaningful. Having subdued his enemies, Dasaratha, equal to Indra, ruled the glorious city, like the moon ruling the stars.
This concludes Chapters 5,6 of Balakanda where we learnt of the magnificence of the city of Ayodhya, its people and its king Dasaratha, who is going to be the father of Rama. Let us quickly recollect how spectacular and ordered the city of Ayodhya, the order of its people and their adherence to sastra. Let us hope, the city of Ayodhya will once again come to life in full form as evinced in Ramayana. It will definitely materialize, since the Ram mandir is emerging from soil, so will the ancient city surrounding it. We will see the story behind the birth of Rama along with three brothers to Dasaratha in the subsequent posts.
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