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
52 (of 91)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
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Royal engagements at evening
Appropriate rituals :
At the onset of evening the king returned to his
palace and performed rituals, appropriate for the time.
His evening rituals are said to be consisting of a prayer
to the sun-god, lighting of the sacrificial fire, listening
to recitation of Bhagavata from a priest and also
worshipping goddess Laksami (79.3-5).
Brief session of Royal Assembly :
Another important engagement was his attending
a brief session of the Royal Assembly wherein are present
court-jesters, vassal kings, singers, poets and flute and
lute artists alongwith a number of gaily dressed people
and courtezans. We learn that such people and courtezans
were disposed by the king after acknowledging their service,
with the gesture of the eye (6-15).
Listening to reports from other parts of the state :
Important business that are carried out during
such sessions are mentioned to be consisting of king's
discussion with the learned and the poets and his listening
to reports from other parts of his state (samde艣a-patrika)
and his deliberations with concerned rulers (15-17).
