________________
115
O Lady, have come here to hold the birth-festival of the Arhat, your son. Your Ladyship must not be afraid.” Having spoken thus, Sakra made a sleepingcharm for Lady Marudevi. Then Maghavan made an image of the son of Nābhi, and put it down at the side of Lady Sri Marudevā. He made himself fivefold; then there were five Sakras. Suitable devotion to the Master cannot be made by people with one body. Of these, one Sankrandana came forward, bowed, and said reverently, "O Blessed One, allow me," and with auspicious devotion took the Lord of the World, as if he were good fortune incarnate, with hands covered with gosirşa-sandal. One Sakra, going behind, held an umbrella over the head of the Lord of the World, who was the sole umbrella for destroying the heat of the world. Two others, lords of chauris, stood like arms at the sides of the Master, bearing beautiful chauris.' Carrying the thunderbolt as a staff, running like a chief doorkeeper, there was another śunāsira, preceding the Lord of the World. The Indras flew through the air, their minds spotless as white garments, surrounded by gods filling the sky with noise by cries of “Hail! Hail !” The glances of the eager gods fell on the Blessed One's body, like those of thirsty travelers on a pool of nectar. The gods in front wished they had eyes in their backs to see the wonderful beauty of the Lord. The gods going at the side, not satisfied in looking at the Master, were not able to direct their eyes elsewhere, just as if transfixed by a charm. The gods following, wishing to go in front to see the Lord, did not consider their friends, masters, etc. Carrying the Arhat on the door of his heart, as if inside his heart, the Lord of the gods reached Mt. Meru. There the Lord of the east quarter, with the Lord on his lap, sat down joyfully on the lion-throne suitable for the Arhat's bath on the rock Atipāņdukakambala with a shining luster inside the grove Pāņďaka to the south of the crest.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org