01A City Made for Royal Life
The early description emphasizes planned streets, gates, impressive buildings, busy public spaces and defensive strength. Wealth and ordered civic life support the image of an established capital. The city is introduced before the crisis in Dasharatha’s family, so the loss of ordinary royal continuity is felt against a richly presented home.
02Rama Looks Back
As Rama travels through Kosala during his departure, he turns toward Ayodhya and addresses the city and its protecting deities. He hopes to return after fulfilling his father’s command. The farewell makes the place an object of affection and obligation, not simply a throne from which he has been excluded.
03The People and the Exile
People of the countryside follow in sorrow, and Rama asks them to turn back to their own duties. Later, at the Ganga crossing, Sumantra must return to Ayodhya while the exiles continue on foot. The city remains connected to the forest journey through messages, concern for Dasharatha and the separation of faithful companions.
