Before him and thus addressed the charioteer, O charioteer, from the distance Ayodhyā at seemeth like a mass of black earth, albeit she boasts of sacrificial priests crowned with every virtue, Brāhmaṇas versed in the Vedas and opulent people, and albeit she is maintained by Rājarșis. Formerly one could hear a great and mighty tumult all round Ayodhyā proceeding from men and women; but I do not hear this today.
अयोध्यामग्रतो दृष्ट्वा सारथिं चेदमब्रवीत्। एषा नातिप्रतीता मे पुण्योद्याना यशस्विनी॥ अयोध्या दृश्यते दूरात् सारथे पाण्डुमृत्तिका। यज्विभिर्गुणसम्पन्नैर्ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः॥ भूयिष्ठमृद्धैराकीर्णा राजर्षिवरपालिता। अयोध्यायां पुरा शब्दः श्रूयते तुमुलो महान्॥ समन्तानरनारीणां तमद्य न शृणोम्यहम्।