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
41 (of 91)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
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While protecting the wretched, he is generous and humble.
He is knower of the science of polity and a versatile
artist in making use of the four-fold means of royal
strategy. He always adopts a valourous posture while
dealing with his enemies. SLP argues that a king should not
hesitate to be liberal in distributing his hard earned wealth
to purchase the 'garland of fame' and subjugate the
goddess of victory (Java艣rI) (11-14).
Some other ministerial counsels are concerned
with the problems and situations a king happens to come across
in course of his day-to-day life. These, though are
abstruse in their nature, are described in such a characteri-
stic and simple manner, often couched in familiar similies
and metaphors that they become explicitly comprehensible,
beyond any shade of doubt.
Other important Counsels :
The first of such is the wealth placed with some
others. The author says that a thing, kept with others,
is prone to be slipped out of hand at the time when it is
most required, like the young-birds of the Cuckoo, reared
up by the Crow, who fly away when they become capable but
are needed most. A king may be mighty, but he is required
to preserve his glory and power more than spending it,
