Samrajya Lakshmi Pithika (Study)
by Artatrana Sarangi | 1984 | 120,842 words
This is a study in English of the Samrajya Lakshmi Pithika (written by Lolla Lakshmidhara). This text represents an encyclopedic manual for emperors, akin to ancient works like Yuktikalpataru and Manasollasa. The Samrajyalaksmipithika encompasses about 3870 verses in addressing topics such as public festivals, governance, warfare (military strategy...
Part 1: Pacification, Consecration, Coronation and Pilgrimage
±õ²Ô³Ù°ù´Ç»å³Ü³¦³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô—I²Ô Samrajya-lakshmi-pithika we come across a number of rituals that are not connected with goddess Samrajya-lakshmi or her worship but are mentioned worthy to be performed by a king. Such rituals, as covered under this category, are separately dealt in this Chapter to help preserve their identity in contrast to those pertaining to goddess Samrajya-lakshmi This Chapter proposes to deal with all such rituals in two parts. Part-I comprises of the pacificatory rituals performed by the king to get rid of various malefic, influences, caused by appearance of utpatas, apasakunas and when haunted by bad dreams. Then follow consecratory rituals like inauguration of a new palace, throne and others, connected with royal coronation of different sorts. Other topics like the royal pilgrimage and a number of miscellaneous formulae, utilised by the king in the performance of iapa and homa in honour of different god-heads during various exigencies like, when he wants to quell fears of numerous description, when he intends to wrest victory in war, etc. are dealt here. Part-II deals with a number of obligatory religious performances in the shape of Vratas and utsavas which
146 spread throughout the year and include observances like New Year celebrations and celebrations in honour of principal gods and goddesses like Rama, Krsna, Durga, Laksmi, etc.