________________
I, 1.
THE BIRTH.
'Everywhere recognised as the ruler of the great earth, mighty in his righteous government, as a monarch ruling the four empires 1, uniting under his sway all other rulers; 47
9
'As among all lesser lights, the sun's brightness is by far the most excellent. But if he seek a dwelling among the mountain forests, with single heart searching for deliverance, 48
'Having arrived at the perfection of true wisdom, he will become illustrious throughout the world; for as mount Sumeru is monarch among all mountains, 49
'Or, as gold is chief among all precious things, or, as the ocean is supreme among all streams*, or, as the moon is first among the stars, or, as the sun is brightest of all luminaries, 50
'So Tathagata, born in the world, is the most eminent of men; his eyes clear and expanding, the lashes both above and below moving with the lid, 51
'The iris of the eye of a clear blue colour, in shape like the moon when half full, such characteristics as these, without contradiction, foreshadow the most excellent condition of perfect (wisdom).' 52.
1 The four empires, that is, the four continents or quarters of
the world.
2 Deliverance, that is, from sin; or sorrow the result of sin (moksha).
Shine universally; as the light of the sun.
The ocean is always in Buddhist works, as in Homer, associated with flowings.' The expression in the Chinese, liu-hai, corresponds exactly with 'Ωκεανοῖο ῥέεθρα.
The most worshipful.
6
Widening more and more.
7 Of a deep purple or violet colour.
Digitized by Google