Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 2

SR No.: 001002
Original Sutra Author: Hemchandracharya
Author: Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra
Publication Year: 1937
Total Pages: 438
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Mythology, & Story
File Size: 9 MB

Page 120

THE INITIATION AND OMNISCIENCE OF AJITA 95 the samavasaraħa was made by the gods, the sole refuge for one frightened by existence, the destroyer of all calamities.
Then attended on all sides by the gods to the number of a crore crying “Hail ! Hail !” like bards, the Lord of the World, setting his lotus-feet in turn on nine golden lotuses moved forward by the gods, entered the east door and circumambulated the caitya-tree. For a prescribed ceremony must not be disregarded even by the great. After he had paid homage to the congregation with the speech “Homage to the congregation," the Lord seated himself on the lion-throne, facing the east. At once the Vyantaras created images of the Master in the other directions. For they are superintendents of the remaining tasks. These copies of the Master's form were (made) by his power. For they themselves (the Vyantaras) are not able to make such images of the Master. Behind him a halo, in front of him a dharmacakra and sakradhvaja, 199 and the sound of the drum in the sky appeared at once.
The monks, nuns, and the Vaimānika-women entered by the east door, circumambulated the Lord of the Three Worlds three times and bowed to him. The monks sat down in the southeast quarter, and the Vaimānika-women and nuns stood behind them. The Bhavanesa-, Jyotiska-, and Vyantara-women came by the south door, circumambulated the Lord, and stood in succession in the southwest. The Bhavaneśas, Jyotişkas, and Vyantaras came by the west door, bowed to the Lord together with circumambulation, and sat in succession in the northwest. The Vaimānikas 200 with the Indras entered by the north door, bowed to the Lord with circumambulation, and sat down in succession in the northwest.
199 377. I.e., an indradhvaja. See I, n. 154.
200 381. This makes only 10 groups-men and women being omitted. They belong with the Vaimānikas. All accounts do not agree on which ones sat and which stood. Cf. IA, ref. in n. 193.