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 5 - Forts, Castrametation and the Royal Army
61 (of 135)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
556
to be
former is considered superior to the latter. The bows of
54 ^
the first class are five and half cubits' long, have
nine or seven joints and a good iva. On the other hand,
the stick of the manusa variety is four cubits' long and
has three, four or seven joints and a good string. The
daiva bows are stated to be used by divine beings like
Siva, Parasurama, Rama etc. while the manusa, by ancient
kings like Yayati, Nahusa etc. And the author is of the
opinion that the manusa variety is appropriate for the use
of other kings. (6-15).
The defective/bows :
We also find
enlisted in the text some defective bows,
The
Such
which according to our author, should be avoided.
bows if unwisely used, may bring in disaster.
relationship between the use of such weapons (bows) and
the purported disaster associated with their use, does not
appear to have any rational basis except perhaps harming and
causing inconvenience to the bow-man but our author explains
this in a magical way.
an
A
As example may be taken the use of bow which has
inherent defect (jatidusta). It is attributed that the use
54. SLP does not say anything on the materials with
which different kinds of bows are made. For a list
of such material see HHC p.147 ff. verses 46-51.
