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ADMINISTRATION AND STATECRAFT
of the sun warded off by the white parasol and followed by the subsidiary kings on all sides.'
283
He stationed his vehicle on one gate and got down at the other gate having stationed, the group of kings on both the sides. With retinue dispersed with the help of porters he walked just on foot surrounded by a limited number of princes and having gone to the middle chamber established himself on the ivory platform stationed in its middle portion.2
Samaraketu narrating his own account before Harivahana, under the circumstances he left the court Hall of his sire, we find a complete picture of the regal pomp with which he was given a send off by the coquettes of the harem performing lustrations for him, the ecclesiastic or Chaplain muttering holy syllables in order to ward off any evils, abrewing ahead, the group of Brāhmaṇas showering blessings on him following the royal ecclesiastic chaplain, etc. He rode the scent elephant known as Amara vallabha brought close by the driver named Vajrānkuśa, having brought him facing the east. Both the flanks of his two shoulders were orbed with the quivers tucked up fast with his left hand equipped with the arrow seat i.e. the bow having its central part decorated with varied hued golden leaves. The groups of flywhisks were being waved over him quite easily. The pedestrians moved about quite gallantly causing a tremor in the earth. The jubilant bards proclaimed the victory calls quite aloud. The entire Universe was made reverberous with the sounds of the trumpets named, the auspicious victory ones, being sounded up. The faces of the quarters were being resounded by the noise of the tabors sounding up aloud. The spaces between the quarters were crowded by the group of insignia shadowing the lustre of the sun, collected for warfare by many kings, bearing marks of fish and crocodiles or crocodiles, tigers, sarabhas, boars and elephants of diverse types, with their forms appearing in the gap filled in by the breeze, revolving round the fragment of the white parasol moving on in front of the golden stick studded with bits of varied-hued gems etc.
Harivahana impatient to meet the maiden of his heart found an excuse about inspecting the regions falling within the jurisdiction of his rulership or governorship and as a crown prince he observed the etiquette of informing his intentions through the Prime Minister and permitted accordingly to do the same he started off on an auspicious day, surrounded by the entire host of army-personnel, followed by his illustrious allies such as Samaraketu,
1. TM Vol. II p. 168.
2. TM Vol. II p. 169.
3. TM Vol. II pp. 252-54.
