Chapter 218 - Mode of performing the coronation of a king (rājābhiṣeka)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Fire-god said:

1. O Vasiṣṭha! I shall describe now the duties of a king as told by Puṣkara to Rāma as the latter asked (him the same).

Puṣkara said:

2. I shall describe the duties of a king (foremost) among the host of other duties. The king should be the slayer of the enemy, protector of the subjects and administer justice properly.

3-6. He would look after the welfare of all those who are on the righteous path. He should practise this vow. He has to choose the astrologer, the brahmin priest, the ministers who had known the minds of the people and the queen endowed with righteous qualities. (After having practised the vow) for a year the king should have the anointment with all the regal paraphernalia at the proper moment. But there is no regulation about time for the same if the king has died (and a new king is installed). He should be bathed with sesamum and mustard and the astrologer and the priest should hail victory for the king. (Then the king) seated on the throne should proclaim protection (for all) and throw open (the gates of) the fortress for the provincial governors.

7-11. Before the anointment (is done), the priest should do the rite to appease Indra. After having fasted on the day of anointment, offerings should be made into the sacrificial fire for the Manus with the sacred syllables of lord Viṣṇu, Indra, Savitṛ (Sun), and the Viśvedevas and the sacred syllables that are auspicious, beneficial, conferring longevity and protection. The golden pitcher known as aparājitā (not defeated by anybody) containing the remnants of the sacrifice should be worshipped with perfumes and flowers on the right side of the fire. (The sacrificial) fire should have flames circling clockwise, having the colour of heated gold, should be like the moving chariot, be making sound like the cloud and without smoke. The flames in their natural form, fragrant, resembling the figure of a svastika^[1], with clear and high flames and without sparks are benevolent.

12-17. Cats, deer and birds should not pass between (the king and the sacrificial fire). The king should cleanse his head with the mud (obtained) from the summit of a mountain, the ears with the mud from the top of an anthill, the face with that (mud) from the temple of (lord) Keśava, the neck with the mud from the temple of (lord) Indra, the heart (breast) with that (got) from the courtyard of the king (king’s palace), the right arm with the mud dug up by the tusk of an elephant, the left arm with the mud dug up by the horns of a bull, the back with the mud from a tank, the abdomen with the mud from the confluence of rivers and the sides should be purified with the mud from both the banks of a river. It is laid down that the waist of a king should be cleansed with the mud (obtained) from the threshold of a courtesan, the thigh (with mud got) from the sacrificial place, the knees (with mud obtained) from the cowshed, the shanks (with that got) from the stable, the feet with the mud from the wheel of a chariot. The head of the king seated on the throne (should be washed) with the five things got from a cow.

18-29. Four ministers (of the king) should anoint him with (waters from) the pitchers. A brahmin (minister should anoint him) with a golden pitcher filled with ghee from the east, a kṣatriya (minister) with a silver pitcher filled with milk from the south, a vaiśya (minister) with a copper pitcher (filled) with curd from the west and a śūdra minister with an earthen (pot) with water from the north. Then a brahmin priest reciting the Ṛgveda should anoint the king with honey and a priest of the Sāmaveda with waters along with the kuśa. O Fortunate one! Then the (royal) priest should go towards the pitcher containing the residual offering, perform duly the protective amulet of the fire for the courtiers and give it (to the king) with those sacred syllables mentioned in connection with the coronation and with the recitations made by the brahmins. Then the priest should go to the foot of the sacrificial platform and anoint (the king) with a golden vessel having hundred holes. The head (of the king) should be touched with the herbs with (the recitation of the sacred syllables) yā oṣadhi^[2], with perfumes, with flowers with (the syllables) puṣpavatī^[3], with seeds with (the syllables) brāhmaṇa^[4], with gems with (the syllables) āśuḥ śiśāṇaḥ^[5], with kuśa dipped in water with (the syllables) ye devāḥ^[6] and a reciter of the Yajurveda or the Atharvaveda should touch the head and throat with rocanā with (the recitation of the syllables) gandhadvārā^[7] and other brahmins with all the sacred waters. Then they should hold a pitcher filled with the herbs in front of the king to the accompaniment of singing and instrumental music and the (waving of) chowries and fans. The king also should see them as well as the auspicious things such as the mirror and ghee etc. Then the priest, seated on a bed covered with a tiger-skin, should worship (gods) Viṣṇu, Brahmā, lndra and others and the lords of planets and place the turban after having given the respectful offering of mixture of honey.

30-34. The crown of the king should be fixed with the hides of five animals. The king should place the hides of a bull, a cat, elephant, lion and tiger on that seat with (the recitation of the sacred syllables) dhruvā dyauḥ^[8]. Then the door-keeper should present the ministers to the king. Then the king should give presents of cows, goats, sheep, houses and other gifts to the astrologers and priests. (The other) brahmins should be honoured by (giving gifts of) land, cows, food etc. Then (the king) should circumambulate the (sacrificial) fire and make obeisance to the preceptor. (He should then move) backwards, touch the bull and worship the cow and calf. Then he should ride the consecrated (royal) steed. Similarly, he should worship the royal elephant and mount it. He should then go round the royal path along with his army. Then he should enter the palace and send away all (those gathered) after pleasing them with gifts.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Made up of two lines intersecting at right angles having perpendicular lines in the clock-wise direction at the ends of two lines.

[2]:

ṚV. 10.97. 1.

[3]:

ṚV. 10.97.3.

[4]:

AV. 5.17.9.

[5]:

ṚV. 10.103.1.

[6]:

MS. 2.6.3.

[7]:

ṚV K.h. 5.87.9.

[8]:

ṚV. 10.173.4.