Text of Confucianism Part 02

SR No.: 007676
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: James Legge
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1882
Total Pages: 2405
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 43 MB

Page 1920

EXAMPLE OF THE STYLE OF EXPANDED SOTRAS. 363
To offer to the most honourable one, in person, their respectful worship. These Devas, secure from the sufferings of the long night! Fixed (or safe) in the pure gate of all virtue, Glorious with (or like) precious jewels, Beautiful in appearance as the full moon, Shining with radiance, but not equal to the holy one, In reputation not to be compared with him, They dare not pass over the royal precinct, (Denizens of) the three worlds are unable to take so great responsi.
bility, Though from their persons issued such pure effulgence, Though their words were harmonious (sweet) beyond rivalry, Though richly (deeply) endowed with moral excellence Beyond all other Devas, Yet they could but offer to him their incomparable perfumes, (They could but) reverence and adore The Prince, unequalled for dignity, And sacrifice to him as a god among gods. Asita now informed (sent to) Suddhodana (This message), .The sign-interpreter desires to be admitted to see The incomparably-beautiful divine holy one.' The king, hearing the message, rejoiced exceedingly; The gate-keeper respectfully announces, the king (desires you) to enter.' The (sage), honoured by men, hearing this, His hand holding a flower, was glad, And like a divine person entered the holy abode. And now the king beholding him enter, Immediately rose with hands clasped together, And arranged for him a gilded jewelled couch, With the request that his excellency would sit on this (prepared) couch ; Immediately sitting, he examined carefully the four (quarters). The king then desired to know wherefore he had come. The child just born, his body replete with excellent tokens, His conduct true, this one I am come to see; Provided with marks and signs (indicating) his holy intelligence, Not knowing any cause to return quickly, Therefore do I wait here on the chair, Expecting to be permitted to behold the glorious marks and signs. And now this attendant company (of Devas) arriving, Quietly and joyfully they took their places above the Royal Prince, And with reverence they behold him; Lost in wonder, they reported to those without his unequalled (beauty) And now, at length, (when) the exceedingly excellent lord and master, Resplendent as gold, awaking, holy and graceful, Raised himself, and showed his countenance,
The hand holding person ente him ente
· Kang-ye, viz. the long night of pain.
• The expression 'gate,' e.g.' gate of the law,' means generally a 'mode' or 'method' (of salvation); hence the Devas are here said to be safe in the pure mode' or 'method,' i.e. to be Suddhâvâsikas.
• Here the arrival of the Devas is again referred to.
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