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Samrajya-lakshmi-pithika considers it obligatory for an emperor, king or even a chieftain to perform the royal worship of Samrajya-lakshmi for the following reasons: to consolidate the limits of his kingdom, to augment vitality in to the seven - limbs of the state (saptanga-raiva), to destroy the enemy, big or small, to gain victory in war and finally, to secure blessings of goddess Samrajya-lakshmi Such worship is performed in the following manner (29.4-5). Venue, Pavilione etc.: Inside the palace, infront of the apartment housing the royal treasury (Kosavesma) a five-floored mansion of wood is constructed with a transparent (dazzling) frontage. It is fitted with resplendent rows of steps. Its floors are white-washed and the walls, decked with colourful pictures. The doors are fitted to strong wooden thresholds which in turn, are reinforced with strong cross-bars (argala) (6-8). Altar : Inside such a hall, an altar of gold with plain surface is constructed. This is said to be one hasta (cubit) high, two cubits' Long and broad and has an enclosure of strong beams (vala) (9-10).

142 Idol of Samrajya-lakshmi : On such an altar is seated the idol of goddess Samrajya-lakshmi which is made of either gold, silver, copper, elephanttusk or lime (sudha). She is portrayed to be ensconced in the lotus-pedestal, radiating bright, golden hues like the filaments of a lotus%3 B two of her hands are in the postures of blessing (vara) and assurance (abhaya) while in the other two, she holds a pair of lotus flowers in each hand. With well-proportioned limbs, she gives the impression that she is about to talk to herself. A streak of smile decks here face while the eyes look moist, replete with benediction (krpa). Partaking the pleasures of a camphor-scented-betel, she wears the black tilaka (forehead marks) of musk (kasturi), giving it a tinge of blue. Adorned with the precious diadem of gem, ear-ornaments (tatanka), bracelets (angada) etc., she, the abode of all the beauty of the world (sarvalavanyavasati) is attended upon by eight other forms of laksmis, (13-15). Invocation, Worship etc. : Such an idol of Samrajya-lakshmi is now consecrated by the priests, well-versed in vedic and tantric lores. As per

143 rules, they invoke her thrice a day at times, known as sandhyas (Lit. joints) viz. morning, mid-day and evening, with perfumes, flowers, incense, light etc. The king also is required to offer his handful of flowers during such sessions of worship, specially, in the evening Puja, the sessions of which are concluded with presentation of dance and song to her (16-18). Its Variety : Besides this daily worship, on every thursday a mahapuja (Grand worship) is offered to her. Added to this in every month, the goddes is taken out in a pleasant car-ride which is known as Puspara thotsava (Lit. festival of the flower-bedecked-car). As a part of such celebrations, one hundred or half of that number of ladies-whose husbands are alive (SuvasinI), are entertained by the king with presents like garments, ornaments and sweet-meats (19-21). The author proclaims that by performing such worship in honour of goddess Samrajya-lakshmi, the king gains eight forms of aisvaryas (supernatural powers) and sovereignty after successfully routing the enemies in war and rules over the earth for long (22).

144 The Trying to drive home his point, the author further states that ancient kings like Mandhata had attained sovereignty by devotedly performing such worship of the goddess Samrajya-lakshmi performance of such pula is acclaimed as 'harbinger of universal good luck' (sarva saubhagyajananam); yielder of all kinds of wealth and fortune' (sarva sampatpradayaka) and the agent of bestowing vast domains and empires (Praiya samraiva) (23-25).