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CHAPTER TWO
with the noise of the musical instruments ahead; wishing to descend to the earth, came by car by an oblique path to the north of Saudharma-heaven.
Filled with crores of gods, the car Pälaka looked like a moving Saudharma-heaven, as it descended. The best of cars, divine, surpassing thought in speed, traversed numberless continents and oceans in a moment. The car, like a Saudharma on earth, a pleasure-abode of the gods, arrived at the continent Nandiśvara. When he had arrived at its southeast mountain, Ratikara, Purandara quickly contracted the car. Gradually contracting the car more and more, Hari arrived at the city Vinitā in Bharata in Jambūdvipa. He circumambulated the Master's birthhouse three times with the car. The Master's estate is the same as the Master. Hari stopped the car in the northeast at a distance, like a vassal his conveyance at the palace. Purandara entered the Master's birth-chamber, his figure contracted from devotion, like a servant belonging to a noble family. Sahasrākşa bowed to the Tirthakệt and the Tirthakrt's mother as soon as he saw them, esteeming his eyes fortunate. After he had circumambulated the Master and Vijayā, had bowed, and paid homage to them, with hands joined respectfully, he said :
“Hail to you, bearing a jewel in your womb, purifying the universe, mother of the world, bestowing a light on the world for seeing the good. O mother, you alone are blessed, by whom the second Tirthakrt, benefactor to all, was borne, like a kalpa-tree by the earth. I, Lord of Saudharma, have come here to celebrate the Master's birth-festival. O mother, you must not be afraid.”
With these words, Sahasrākṣa gave a sleeping-charm, created an image of the Tirthakrt, and placed it at the Queen's side. Then Sakra instantly created five Sakras from himself. The gods can have any form they like, one or many. Among these, one Sakra, with sprouts of bristling hair burst forth,88 made pure in body as in
88 339. I.e., his hair erect from joy.
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