________________
BIRTH OF AJITA AND SAGARA
51
mind from devotion, bowed, said, "Allow me," and took the Jineśvara with lotus-hands anointed with gośîrșasandal. The second one stayed behind and carried an umbrella over the Master's head, giving the appearance of a full moon over a mountain. Two Haris carried chauris at his sides like heaps of merit in visible form gained from the sight of the Master. One, swinging a thunderbolt like a door-keeper, went in advance looking at the Master, his head turned a little. The Samānikas, the Pariṣadyas, the Trayastrinśas, and other gods also circled round the Lord like bees around a lotus. Hari, carrying the Master of the World carefully, arrived at Mt. Meru with the intention of holding the birth-festival.
The gods ran after the Master, knocking each other over in rivalry, like deer running after a song.89 The sky appeared crowded with clusters of blooming blue lotuses in the form of gods looking at the Master from afar from the corners of their eyes. Again and again the gods approached the Blessed One from afar and looked at him, like misers looking at their money. The gods flying towards (the Master) at the same time struck each other with an impact like waves of the ocean. The planets, constellations, and stars assumed the form of a multitude of flowers in front of the Master as he went through the sky with Sakra as a vehicle. Puruhūta went in a moment to the rock Atipāṇḍukambalā on the summit of Meru in the south of the peak. The Lord-of-the-east sat down, facing the east, on the top of the jeweled lion-throne, holding the Lord on his own lap.
Just then the Indra of Iśānakalpa became aware of the birth of the All-knowing by means of clairvoyant knowledge because of the shaking of his throne. Like Śakra, he abandoned his lion-throne, etc., took seven or eight steps, and bowed to the Lord of the World. At his command General Laghuparakrama rang the loud-toned
89 346. Deer's love of music is proverbial.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org