Ayodhya's White Palaces Rise until Their Pinnacles Shame Sun and Moon
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 25
Doha 27 · Movement 1 of 3
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Narada, the Sanaka sages, and other great seers come daily for the sight of Kosala's Lord. Ayodhya's beauty is so compelling that the sages forget even their detachment while passing through its streets.
Terraces fashioned from gold and gems rise above roofs of many colors. Beautiful walls encircle the city, battlements gleam in varied hues, and the whole design appears like a celestial host surrounding Amaravati.
Crystal patterns spread across the ground until the hearts of sages dance. White palaces touch the sky, and their radiant pinnacles seem to challenge the brilliance of sun and moon. Jeweled windows shine from every house, while lamps made of gems burn within. Ayodhya does not seduce the sages away from truth. Its beauty reveals what renunciation was seeking: matter made transparent to Rama's presence, every surface transfigured by devotion.
The sages forget detachment because Ayodhya's jeweled beauty no longer conceals Rama; it makes his presence visible everywhere.
Read the passage from the Manas
नारदादि सनकादि मुनीसा। दरसन लागि कोसलाधीसा।। दिन प्रति सकल अजोध्या आवहिं। देखि नगरु बिरागु बिसरावहिं।। जातरूप मनि रचित अटारीं। नाना रंग रुचिर गच ढारीं।। पुर चहुँ पास कोट अति सुंदर। रचे कँगूरा रंग रंग बर।। नव ग्रह निकर अनीक बनाई। जनु घेरी अमरावति आई।। महि बहु रंग रचित गच काँचा। जो बिलोकि मुनिबर मन नाचा।। धवल धाम ऊपर नभ चुंबत। कलस मनहुँ रबि ससि दुति निंदत।। बहु मनि रचित झरोखा भ्राजहिं। गृह गृह प्रति मनि दीप बिराजहिं।।
Narada and the Sanaka sages, along with other great seers, came for the darshan of the Lord of Kosala. Daily all the sages would come to Ayodhya, and seeing the city, they would forget their detachment. There were beautiful mansions made of gold and gems, with lovely roofs of various pleasing colors. Around the city on all four sides were very beautiful fortifications, with battlements constructed in various excellent colors. It appeared as if the nine planets with their hosts had come and surrounded Amaravati. The earth was decorated with colorful crystal work, which made the hearts of great sages dance with joy upon seeing it. The white palaces touched the sky above, with golden pinnacles that seemed to shame the radiance of sun and moon. Windows adorned with many gems shone brightly, and in every house gem-lamps were resplendent.