Sambodhi 1978 Vol 07

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

Page 44

Ganesh Thite
:: The Sāmrājyalaksmīpithikā of the Akāśabhairavakalpa mentions elsewhere also the qualifications and duties of an emperor. Thus the body of a king is described as follows. The palms of feet of a king are of red colour. On it are found the signs like lotus, fish and banner. They are as soft as foliage and are oily as it were. His thighs are of the shape of a quiver. His knees are small. His testicles are equal and long. His penis is short, straight, oily, thin, without joints and redish. His navel is turned towards the right. His breast is broad and high. His nails are long, oily, pointed and reddish. His spiral cord is hidden. His neck is broad, fleshy, of the shape of a shell and with three lines. His lips are like Bimba-fruit. His mouth is small; his teeth pointed and white, tongue long, face like the moon, cheeks fleshy, the eye-balls red, nose long, head with a peak in the middle, and circular, hair like a row of bees, his voice deep, skin oily and soft, gait like that of an elephant. A person having all these characteristics becomes an emperor. One with five or six less than these all, becomes the chief of the region and with ten to twelve less, becomes th: chief of a village ( Patala 66 ).
In order to be deserving for being a king one should be devoted to Vişnu and be ready for serving Brāhmaṇas and cows. He should be truthfull and bold. He should have no interest in the wealth, woman or abusing of others. He should be straight-forward for his people, cunning for his enemies and sympathetic for his attendants. He should be interested in religious, disinterested in antireligious and believer in good activities. He should be a performer of religious activities (Patala 67 ).
Elsewhere some other qualifications and duties of a king are told. Thus he should be very much particular about shaving his hair, taking bath after ointing body, wearing clean garments and adornments. These things are supposed to be bringing wealth. On his breast there should be application of sandal-paste, garlands around his neck, betel mixed with camphor in his mouth, a mark of musk on the forehead and garlands of flowers of Mālati in the hair. These things are considered to increase the life. A king should worship the sun everyday, make gifts of medicines to poor men, protect those who are under fear, wait upon those who are learned, and have mercy for all beings (Patala 65 ).
While describing the characteristics of a king deserving empire, it is told elsewhere that he should be well-versed in all the branches of knowledge, having good conduct etc. (Patala 68 ). Similarly a queen should possess following quallfications. Thus she should be born in a descent family, devoted to auspicious vows, having good behaviour, ardently serving