Valmiki wrote his Ramayana while Rama was still reigning over the kingdom. Rama was ruling over Ayodhya at that time. What does Ayodhya signify. It symbolises the place which cannot be penetrated by evil forces and which is invincible. That place is the heart. That is the place where Rama resides. What is needed today is to make every human heart an Ayodhya. It should be free from any kind of pollution. It should be pure and firm. Then there will be room in it for the story of Rama to enter. (SSS Vol.30, p. 52)
Many people have many doubts about the place of Rama’s birth. He was born in Ayodhya. Was the city of Ayodhya built by some ordinary mortal? No, no. It was built by Vishwakarma (divine architect) himself. He built it in such a way that no enemy could enter it. (SSS Vol.42, p. 84)
(Ayodhya - pic courtesy Wikipedia)
Ayodhya was a flourishing city in the prosperous Kingdom of Kosala. Emperor Manu founded this city and there was none more beautiful. It had spiralling mansions, sprawling markets, and spruce gardens. The citizens of Ayodhya took delight in adding fresh beauty to the already beautiful city. The mansions were studded with pearls and precious stones and shone with great splendour. Dasharatha, the Emperor, embodied in himself all noble ideals. The people too shared the noble virtues of Emperor Dasharatha. (SSB 1996, p. 12)
Ayodhya is not a mere city, the capital of Kosala. Ayodhya signifies the impregnable fortress, i.e. the heart. The capital is in the centre surrounded by the ten organs. (SSB 1996, p. 111)
Ayodhya was the capital of the kingdom of Kosala. It was built in such a way that no enemy could enter it. Hence, it was named Ayodhya (a place secure from enemies). It was built by Emperor Manu on the bank of the river Sarayu. Sarayu was a part of Manasarovar created by the Will of Brahma. Emperor Dasharatha ruled over this sacred place. (SSS Vol.35, p. 109)
‘Ayodhya‘ means ‘invincible’. Its ruler was Dasharatha. Dasharatha means one who has made his ten indriyas (sense organ) - the five organs of action and the five organs of perception – his chariot. (SSS Vol.20, p. 49)
The heart is Ayodhya, that which is not easily penetrable. The heart is, however, subject to pleasures and pains. (SSS Vol.23, p. 42)