History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.1959

v6.c81.1959

*Lohābhisārikakṛtya*—also written as Lohābhihārika or Lauhābhisārika—From Āśv. śu. 1st to 8th tithi a king desirous of conquest should perform this rite; NS 178-179, SmK 332-336, RNP 444–446, Sm 28–32, PC 59, 70-72 A golden, silver or clay image of Durgā is to be worshipped, so also the weapons and symbols of royalty with mantras, there is a legend that there was a demon named Loha who was shattered into pieces by the gods and all the iron and steel in the world is produced from his limbs Lohābhisāra means putting forth or brandishing iron or steel weapons ('Lohābhihārostrabhṛtāṁ rājñāṁ nīrājano vidhiḥ' Amarakośa). When a king started on an invasion the ceremony of sprinkling sacred water on him or waving lights before him was performed and that was called Lohābhisārika-karma In Udyogaparva 160. 93 we read 'Lohābhisāro nirvṛttaḥ' &c. Nīlakaṇṭha explains that it comprises waving of lights before weapons and invoking deities.