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 3 - General Ritual mentioned in Samrajya-lakshmi-pithika
146 (of 262)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
289
(July-Aug.) (Sravanapurnimapurvabhavi bhargavava sara). For
the purpose, is made a flower-bedecked pavilion to the N.E.
of the house in which on an auspicious seat is placed a
pitcher filled with newly harvested rice, white-washed with
lime and with leaves of mango and banyan trees. The king
in the company of his wives and children, invokes goddess
Varalaksmi into the pitcher. With due sa峁僰alpa and
preliminaries like 'announcement of place and time' etc.
declares his resolve to perform the puja with following
motives: To gain eight forms of ai艣varvas (powers), to
consolidate prosperity, to attain long-life, freedom from
diseases and destruction of enemies
Worship and Prayer
(90.5-10).
The deity is stated to be worshipped as per the
ceremonial manual
-
he
rules and procedure laid down in Kalpa
containing short aphoristic rules for performance of Vedic
sacrifices - to the sound of musical instruments and while
reciting Srisukta (RVkh. 5.87.1). The goddess is then honoured
with various presents (upayana) with which the king offers
his handful of flowers while holding in his hand, nine
streaks of thread with nine knots (granthi). Then he listens
to the glory of the goddess being told by some priest and
prays to the deity in the following manner:-
