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Now, we pass on to the month of Pausa (Dec.-Jan). During this month Samrajya-lakshmi-pithika incorporates the duties of a king on the occasion of Makara-sankranti in which worship is accorded to the sun-god in order to pacify the troubles caused by his south-ward movement (daksinayana). Duty of a King on the Bhogin day : The previous day to Makara-samkranti is known as the Bhogin. At Samgava (early morning) of this day, the king is led by the priest to occupy the seat of gold where he is besmeared with scented unguents and then is ceremonially bathed. This act is said to be directed to rid him from all sufferings, caused by the southward movement of the sun. The bath is followed by numerous gifts he gives to brahmins and ladies whose husbands are alive (suvasinis). He also receives their benediction and carries on his head, the rice-grains thrown at him in course

389 of such benediction, by the donees. Now he mounts his royal throne to appear before the members of his royal assembly and then proceeds to the decorated arena which is specially designed for the occasion. There, the king honours the members by presenting them abticles like betels, etc. (117.2-11). Evening activities : No special activity charactises the noon while his evening engagements are described to be varied. He witnesses fierce wrestling-bouts and exhibition of crackers and lights and a dance performance soon after which, he causes cakes (apuba) to be distributed amongst brahmins and Suvasinis, by children with due show of regard and thus is concluded the day (12-16). Activities on Makarasankranti : After duly worshipping his tutelary deity and Samrajya-lakshmi, the king in the morning of the said day, distributes amongst priests, a number of pumpkin-gourds (kusmanda) and large pastry cakes (Prthuni Pistani) mixed with sesame and fried in clarified butter (satilaivapista) alongwith donations and gifts of cows, land and sesame (17-20).

390 Sun-worship : a Now, on the huge canopied court-yard, on a seat of gold, he places a golden jar filled with sacred waters, with five kinds of leaves, decked with scented sandal paste, wreaths of flowers and wrapped with a bright silk piece of cloth of yellow colour. He now invokes Bhaskara the sun-god into it and worships with perfume, flowers, etc. Paramanna cooked by ladies, by first boiling milk in pans and then adding rice and sugar, is now placed before the god alongwith newly harvested radish (kandamula), fruits like arecanuts, coconuts, etc. Also are mentioned to be offered a variety of sprouts in dishes arranged in rows (pali) before the god. Such offerings follow his bowing, circumambulating and saying a number of prayers to the deity. Also, it is described that the king carries with him to his palace little quantity of each of the food items so offered, to the deity (21-28). Thus, we observe that Makarasamkranti celebrations centre round the solar worship.