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
232 (of 262)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
376
Such a celebration of the festival of light confers
a number of merits on the performer prominent among which
these are described to be long-life, freedom from
diseases, victory and learning (30-31)
Observation :
The description of pipavall as we find in SLP
appears to constitute of elements which preponderently
124 weigh in favour of a Vaisnavite celebration.
The
dipadanas, here are meant for driving away alak峁I
(Penury) (112.13), to propitiate Laksmi-Narayana
(113.9) and not for the pitrs (manes) as purported to
be mentioned in Vahnipurana nor, in honour of the demon
125 Naraka (Bhavisyottara).
Also, the candles which
merrity twinkle, lighting the palaces, cross-roads and
other buildings are dedicated to Lak峁I (113.19). The
Bali-Puja, too which is stated to form the main-ritual,
points toward that end, in as much as Bali is proclaimed
to be Visnu vallabha (113.22).
124. Cf. P.K.Gode "The History of Divali festival",
SICH Vol. II Poona, 1960,p.252 where he calls the
present Divali rituals, preponderently Vaisnavite'
125. Ibid.
