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 1 - Introduction
19 (of 56)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
18
written for royal reference viz. Mana sollasa, YK or
STR the present text of SLP does not contain many relevant
matter that concerns a king like the test of gems, Vastu
elements, instruction on iconography, various entertainments
of king, enjoyments etc. And as such, it is felt that
SLP cannot be complete without these details.
We, however, feel that SLP is more or less complete
for the following reasons.
A survey of the contents of Manasollasa, YK or
STR reveals that one of these is complete in itself.
each
The title of the text of SLP cannot necessarily be
deemed to have envisaged a royal encyclopaedia but as the
title suggests, the author appears to be more concerned with
the worship and propitiation of goddess SL and only
cursorily, deals with some of the important factors that
concern a king like the forts, chariots, elephants, horses,
soldiers, archery, war etc. which he considers relevant and
whose acquaintance of the king would be instrumental in
furthering the appeasement of godess SL.
The table of contents of SLP reveals that the author
is more concerned with helping the king with informations
on rituals that may go a long way in fostering religious
merits on him in accordance with the belief and practice
of the time.
