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SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
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Regarding Śrī it has been further believed that she is possessed of eight arms and two forms.
The efficacy of the finger ring offered by Śrī along with the boon for the birth of a son, to Meghavāhana has been stressed to the point that it would help Vajrāyudha, the chief of the army-battalions, fight the foe safely during the nocturnal warfare.?
King has been shown as superstitious enough to bestow profusely dripping cows followed by calves unto the Brāhmaṇas pleased through adorations. The muttering of holy charms and syllables foreboding the birth of a child is equally reminiscent of the superstitions prevalent in the society.
The belief in the predictions made on the basis of horoscopes and palmstudies (Palmistry) has also been laid down here. "Naimittikas'' have been construed as experts in understanding the omens. The princesses forestalling the signs of pregnancy in accordance with the sayings of the palmists have been shown as being blessed by the king to the effect that they could get good matches for the life-long journey.
Karna piśāci has been construed by Monier Williams as the name of a goddess. But the commentator construes it to be a special lore indicating turpenting and past events charm whereby some invisible spirit (Piśāca) utters something quietly in the ears. Sometimes it indicates a good sign while sometimes it indicates a bad sign. King was anxious to get some clue to the good sign indicating the birth of a son. The kinsfolk of the king were even inquiring about the auspicious ensigns and their effects from the psychology of good dreams.
Samaraketu narrating his experiences before starting from Simhalas for a digvijaya, in company of Taraka and other naval soldiers refers to the fact
S Juy.
1. Yafa EGEGUI 15941 2. अयमपि बालारुणाख्यो दिव्याकुलीयकालङ्कारः स्वमर्यादातिवर्तिनां दुष्टसामन्तानां दमनाय दक्षिणापथमधितिष्ठतो
वज्रायुधस्य प्रस्थापनीयः वक्तव्यश्च तत्प्रधानप्रणयीविजयवेगः एष यामिनीयुद्धेषु विषमशत्रुसैन्यसंनिरुद्धस्य वज्रायुधस्य
uformufai ca 1004: Ibid. Vol. I pp 158-159. 3. Ibid. p. 159. 4. Ibid. 5. नृपतिज्ञातिलोकेन होराकृष्टिषु नियुञ्जानेनाङ्गुष्ठकादिप्रश्नं प्रति प्रर्वतयता दिवानिशमुपास्यमाननैमित्तिकम् अवितथादेशसामु
sfaciem H &MUHİ TUTUITAPH14GOTE=T4 T51: Yufi : YARAHAHRT Ibid. p. 160. 5. Under Karna Piśāci 7. TM Comm. p. 160. fufferiflh1 719 Talatef acarafaga:, TEHT file: qufzui
TRI Tanamaniacafati Atharvaveda V. 13-9 TM Vol. I p. 160. 8. çey/4947441f yooga I Ibid. Vol. I p. 160.
