Conclusion of Chapter 4

In the preceding pages we observe that our author while dealing with such popular and conventional topics as that of a king and his paraphernalia also, shows his stamp of originalty. True it is that these concepts had become so much patent and standardised that it might have become well-nigh difficult for him to sound a discordant note in this matter. Nevertheless, we find the king of Samrajya-lakshmi-pithika not merely as a divine representative but he remains human throughout. His earthly nature is found to be attested in his attempt to grow from strength to strength by following a righteous code of ideal conduct from dawn to dusk, as set down by the Hindu law-givers like Manu, Yajnyavalkya, Kautilya etc. Another distinctive feature which so often is found to characterise Samrajya-lakshmi-pithika tradition is the depiction of the king in a sort of puritanical atmosphere. More than the pomp and splendour, gaiety and entertainments, the king here is portrayed to be treading an austere path of rectitude, his summum bonum of life being just discharge of obligations here and salvation at the feet of Visnu in the other world.

496 And lastly, we observe that through his description of royal life in general and the court-life in particular, our author betrays his intimate personal acquaintance with such elements and also exhibits the rich stamp of his learning and erudition on an astoundingly diverse range of subjects from Arthasastra to Kamasutra on the other. on one hand