The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c9.s3.26

c9.s3.26

In the ordinary course of things, it will appear, the consecration of a new king was attended by festivity on a gigantic scale. The whole city was decorated. Courtezans played and danced all around. Priests, generals, merchants, citizens, provincials—all thronged the palace and made a holiday.¹ The white umbrella was one of the signs of kingship. Sītā, before she knew of the abandonment of the proposed installation of her husband, innocently inquires, . . . “Why has not thy charming face been placed under the shade of an umbrella, having hundred ribs and white as a watery foam?”² Later, the Kiṣkindhākāṇḍa and Yuddhakāṇḍa describe actual consecrations more or less in the Mahābhārata style. The Uttarakāṇḍa which is later than the rest of the Rāmāyaṇa, has two descriptions in the same strain. In every one of them, auspicious waters are collected from the seas and rivers in golden jars. They are sprinkled over the prince seated on a throne. The crown is placed on his head. Generally he receives presents from his nobles and subjects and offers gifts to Brāhmaṇas. Generally, too, a sacrifice is performed.³