Ramayana recounts the victories and glories of the dynasty founded by Ikshvaku, a descendant of Manu. As it relates 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. He had sixty thousand sons who formed part of his entourage whenever he went to battle. 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 was abounding in wealth and grain. In that Kosala was the famous city of Ayodhya, created by Manu, the lord of men and lawmaker. It was a magnificent city, twelve yojanas long and three yojanas 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 compare 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, 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 calibre matched that of Maharshis like Vasishta. The Kshatriyas and Vaisyas performed their duties implicitly. All were charitable, honest and upright. Devoted to truth, they were forgiving, patient and highly intelligent.