Sambodhi 1978 Vol 07

Author(s): Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 43

Samrajyalaksmīpithikā
41
good omen. If a man sneezes when he is thinking of a woman or a woman sneezes when she is thinking of a man this is a good omen. If one sneczes towards the front, it is good, but if one sneezes towards the back, it is bad. If a man sneezes towards his right side, he will get money, if towards i he left then death, disease or some danger is likely. In the case of women the results are obtained in a reverse manner. While going on a street, if one sees a wicked person, worshipper of god, an oil-miller, or hare, one will be successful in one's aim. If a cat goes accross while one is going on a street, one will die within three months or will not get the desired result. If one's hair are burnt by fire or cut by some animals or rats, one's life is reduced. If one sees a vulture one will die soon. If a house-lizard or a lizard falls upon one's body, one should take bath alongwith one's clothes. If the mansion suddenly falls, one will be poor. If women get suddenly possessed by a spirit or deity, there will be some calamity. If a dove enters into a rich man's house, it is a bad omen; if into a poor man's house, it is a good omen ( Patala 24 ). Then follow the subjects like pacification of the omens (Payala 25 ) and of bad dreams (Patala 26).
Political science
The Sāmrājyalakşmikalpa of the Ākāśabhairavakalpa contains some information on some details regarding the king's coronation, the qualifications of a king, his officers etc. and elements of a kingdom. The coronation should be celebrated every year on the king's birth-day, at the time when bad omens appear, or when there is an epidemic, or when there is a foreign attack, or when the king is in the aspect of a cruel planet, or when he sees some evil dreams. Thus the coronation is not merely a political ceremoney but a magicoreligious one, the aim of which is to strengthen the king and remove all the evil. After the coronation, a golden strip (Patta ) should be bound on the forehead of the king. This strip should be consecrated with the formula beginning with somena rajñā. It should be one and half fingers broad and six-fingers long. On the strip some verses are to be written. These verses contain the decision taken by priests and gods about the king who wants to rule an empire. They describe the qualifications of a king. Thus a king should be able to punish wicked people and support the good people. He should be a devotee of cows, gods and Brāhmaṇas. He should be able to ward off any mixture of casts. He can take the one sixth part of the agricultural productions. He should take pleasure by the pleasure of the subjects and feel sorry by the sorrows of the subjects. His anger and favour should never be in vain. He should have the following qualities: truth mercy, restrain, purity, non-violence, generosity, and straightforwardness. Thus the verses to be written on the strip to be bound on the forehead of the king contain the qualifications and duties of a king ( Patala 47-62). Sambodhi 7. 1-4.