Rāma, filled with concern and affection, spoke to his father with heartfelt questions about Ayodhya, the city once inhabited by their heroic ancestors and renowned for its strong gates and bustling crowds of elephants, horses, and chariots. He wondered if the city named Truth was still flourishing, always vibrant with Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas, each devoted to their own duties, self-controlled, enthusiastic, and surrounded by noble people in great numbers. Rāma asked if Ayodhya, adorned with mansions of various shapes and full of skilled physicians, remained prosperous and joyful under his father's protection. He inquired whether the city, graced with hundreds of buildings and beautified by temples, rest houses, and ponds, was still densely populated and radiant with cheerful men and women. He hoped it shone with gatherings and festivals, its borders well-cultivated, abundant in cattle, and free from violence. He wished to know if Ayodhya was delightful, free from irreligious people and wild beasts, abandoned by all fears, and adorned with mines. Rāma wondered if the region, once protected by his ancestors and devoid of wicked people, continued to prosper, and whether its inhabitants lived happily. Turning to those who lived by farming and cattle-rearing, Rāma asked if they were well cared for, recognizing that happiness in the world thrives through agriculture. He questioned whether their protection and welfare had been provided without neglect, reminding that all residents must be safeguarded by the king through righteousness. Rāma’s concern extended to the women of the realm: did his father comfort them, protect them well, trust them, and avoid speaking of their secrets? He asked if the elephant forest was well guarded and whether there were plenty of cows, horses, and elephants in the royal stables. Did his father, adorned, regularly show himself to the people, rising early each morning on the great highway? He wondered about the officials: were their tasks performed openly, without suspicion, or were they left unfinished with only partial reasons given? Were all the fortresses fully supplied with wealth, grain, weapons, water, machines, and craftsmen skilled in archery? Rāma asked if his father’s income was abundant and expenditure modest, ensuring that the treasury never went to unworthy recipients. Was the expenditure directed towards the gods, ancestors, Brahmins, warriors, and friends? He wished to know whether the noble person, pure in heart, was never accused of theft, nor condemned by scholars without inquiry, nor punished out of greed, remaining innocent. Was the thief, apprehended and questioned at the proper time, seen with evidence, never released out of greed for wealth? Rāma inquired if, in times of adversity or prosperity, his father’s well-learned ministers, impartial in judgment, looked after his interests. He cautioned that the tears shed by those falsely accused destroy the sons and cattle of those who punish them out of desire for favor. He asked if his father supported the aged, the young, and the foremost physicians by means of gifts, thought, and speech. Did he show respect to teachers, elders, ascetics, deities, guests, all sacred shrines, the accomplished, and the Brāhmaṇas? Rāma wondered if his father, by means of wealth, supported righteousness, and by righteousness, wealth—never harming either for pleasure or greed. Did he wisely serve all—wealth, righteousness, and pleasure—by dividing them according to the right time? He asked if the Brāhmaṇas, skilled in the meaning of all the scriptures, wished him well, together with the citizens and country people. Did he avoid atheism, falsehood, anger, carelessness, procrastination, disregard for the wise, laziness, and fickleness of mind? Rāma questioned whether his father avoided considering matters alone, consulting with those ignorant of misfortune, failing to act on decisions, and not protecting counsel. Did he avoid the fourteen royal faults, such as neglecting auspicious acts and failing to rise to occasions? He asked if his father truly understood the groups and branches of knowledge—the ten, five, four, seven, eight, and three groups, as well as the three branches of knowledge. Had he mastered the senses, knowing the sixfold policy, the divine and human factors, the twenty types of duties, and the circle of subjects? Rāma asked if, as a greatly wise one, he properly approved of military expeditions, punishment, the two kinds of birth, alliances, and hostilities. Did he consult with ministers as prescribed, either with four or three, or with all together or separately? He wondered if his studies of the Vedas, rituals, marriages, and learning were fruitful. Was his understanding, as described, conducive to long life, fame, and the pursuit of righteousness, desire, and wealth? Rāma asked if his father followed the conduct observed by their ancestors, which leads to the good and righteous path. Did he avoid eating delicious food alone, sharing it with friends who desired it? He reflected that the wise king, having governed his people with justice and upheld the law, rightfully attains the entire earth and, when his time comes, departs to heaven. Thus ended the hundredth sarga in the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of the ancient and revered Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. Hearing Rāma’s words, Bharata replied with humility, saying, “What use is kingship to me, deprived as I am of righteousness?” He affirmed the eternal law among them: when the eldest son is present, the younger cannot become king.