________________
198
AxÅRÂNGA SÖTRA.
After a fast of three days, with a glorious resolution he ascended the supreme. palankin, purifying all by his light. x.
He sat on his throne; and Sakra and I sana, on both sides, fanned him with chowries, the handles of which were inlaid with jewels and precious stones. xi.
In front it was uplifted by men, covered with joyful horripilation ; behind the gods carried it: the Suras and Asuras, the Garudas and the chiefs of Någas. xii.
The Suras carried it on the eastern side, and the Asuras on the southern one; on the western side the Garudas carried it, and the Någas on the northern side. xiii.
As a grove in blossom, or a lotus-covered lake in autumn looks beautiful with a mass of flowers, so did (then) the firmament, with hosts of gods. xiv.
As a grove of Siddhartha ?, of Karnikära 2 or of Kampaka looks beautiful with a mass of flowers, so did (then) the firmament with hosts of gods. xv.
In the skies and on earth the sound of musical instruments produced by hundreds of thousands of excellent drums, kettle-drums, cymbals, and conches was extremely pleasant. xvi.
Then the gods ordered many hundreds of actors to perform a very rich concert of four kinds of instruments: stringed instruments and drums, cymbals and wind-instruments. xvii.
At that period, in that age, in the first month of winter, in the first fortnight, the dark (fortnight) of Margasiras, on its tenth day, called Suvrata 4, in
· White mustard.
Cassia Fistula. • Michelia Champaka. • Correct suvvatenam in the printed text.
