Essay name: Samrajya Lakshmi Pithika (Study)
Author:
Artatrana Sarangi
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Department of Sanskrit and Prakrit Languages
This is a study in English of the Samrajya Lakshmi Pithika (written by Lolla Lakshmidhara) representing an encyclopedic manual for emperors. The Samrajyalaksmipithika encompasses about 3870 verses in addressing topics such as public festivals, governance, warfare (military strategy), and rituals associated with the Tantric worship for the deity Samrajya-Lakshmi.
Chapter 4 - King and his Paraphernalia
34 (of 91)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
439
is said to be the hour, when morning has already crossed
two hours, while listening to the Bhagavata is earmaked
for the evening. It is also mentioned that while attending
to such sessions, the king, is accompanied by some old
and learned people and also members of his harem (74.2-3).
Honouring the Pauranika:
-
During such sessions, it was the prevalent custom
to honour the Pauranika (the reciter) in the likeness
of Vyasa the original author of eighteen original
Puranas, while making him seated on a high platform
while facing east and offering him perfume, flowers etc.
We learn further that the sacred book was kept before
him on a small but sanctified pedestal of wood known as
Sarasvatapitha which, together with the book, was
worshipped with garlands of flowers etc. in the manner
of a deity (4-6).
Mode of recitation etc :
Usually, the king listened to such recitation
while sitting on a lower platform. Possibly, it was the
custom to cover two or three Chapters of the text at a
stretch after which the reciter was disposed of with
suitable donations. And, the king's morning worship was
concluded with 'honouring the fire' (analamupasya) (7-10).
