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Polity and Administration
171
Coronation of the king: Umbrella was the royal insignia. In the coronation ceremony, the king was made sit on an elephant and only after putting umbrella over him, he was declared to be the king (XI. 100). The umbrella was made of the feathers of a peacock also (IX.12).
Won by the enemy, the king had to submit some royal insignia to the winner. Bhoja surrendered his golden canopy to Cedīrāja which was later on presented to Bhimarāja (IX.57). Personal life of the king: In the Kumarapalacarita, the personal life of the king and his daily programmes have been elaborated. After getting up in the morning, the king bethought of his favourite deities (Ku.1.72-73). At the same time prisoners, sūtas and ācāryas eulogized the king (11.5,14; Ku.1.5). They blessed him and in return, the king presented them the cows (IV.38; VI.13; Ku.I.61).
The king performed his morning prayer and daily as well as periodical religious rites (II.9). The experts in the Vedas performed the morning prayer together with the king (II.55). After giving off donations, Kumarapala came to the temple of his favourite deities (Mātrgṛha, Ku.I.84) to worship Mātrs. After daily exercises (Ku.I.90) people came to see him in the morning (Ku.I.70). The king came to the council-hall (II 58). In the presence of all, the king entered Maṇḍapika made of gold (Ku.VI.27) and sat down upon Simhasana (III.77)1.
The king is mentioned to be educated in all the fine arts, religious scriptures and ancient lores (VI.4,6). Poets were also present in the council hall and they rejoiced the king by solving poetic puzzles (XI.66).
1. The programme of the king corresponds to that of the king Sūdraka described in the Kadambari of Bāṇabhaṭṭa.
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