Indian Antiquary Vol 08

SR No.: 032500
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 404
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 279

AVALOKITESWARA'S DESCENT INTO AVICHI.
SEPTEMBER, 1879.]
"Then the Bodhisattwa Sarvapivaranavishkambhin addressed Buddha, 'O holy one, what beings are found in Avichi ? there where no joy (vichi) is known, does he preach the law? in Avichi, whose iron realm surrounded by walls and ramparts is as it were one uninterrupted flame, like a casket of flashing jewels. In that hell is a great wailing cauldron, wherein myriads of beings are thrown; just as kidney beans or pulse sweat rising and sinking in a pot full of boiling water, so do these beings endure corporeal pain in Avichi. How then, O holy one, does the Bodhisattwa Avalokiteswara enter there ?'
"Buddha answered, 'O noble youth, just as an emperor enters into a garden fall of all precious things, attended with all his royal pomp, so Avalokiteswara-enters into the hell Avichi. But his body undergoes no change. When he approaches the hell, it becomes cool. Then the guards of Yama, bewildered and alarmed, begin to think, 'what is this inauspicious sign which has appeared in Avichi ?" When Avalokiteswara enters, then there appear there lotuses as large as chariot wheels, and the cauldron bursts open, and within that bed of fire a lake of honey is manifested.
"Then Yama's guards, seizing all manner of weapons, swords, clubs, javelins, &c. and allthe defensive armour of hell, repaired to Yama, the lord of justice, and addressed him: Let our king know that our field of action' is destroyed, and is become a place of pleasure and filled with all joy.'
"Yama replied, 'What is the reason that your field of action is destroyed ?'
"The guards answered, 'Let our lord also know that an inauspicious sign has appeared in Avichi, all has become quiet and cool, and a man assuming all shapes at will has entered there, wearing matted locks and a diadem, and decked with divine ornaments, with his mind excessively benevolent, and like an orb of gold. Such is the man who has entered, and immediately on his entrance lotuses have appeared as large as chariot wheels, and the cauldron has burst open, and within that bed of fire a lake of honey is manifested.' Then Yama reflected, 'Of what god is this the majesty? Of Maheswara,
"Asmakam karmabhamik.
In p. 10, 1. 20, I read balam for varam; the best Cambridge MS. has tachcha dévanikaye na pasyati sma
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great in power, or Nârâyana worshipped by the five oceans, or have any of the other sons of the gods obtained by boon such preeminent reward, and descended to this place, or has some Rakshasa arisen, some rival of Ravana ?' Thus he stood and pondered, and beholding with his divine eye he saw no such power, in the world of the gods, and who else can have such power.
"Then again he looked back to the hell Avichi, and therein he beheld the Bodhisattwa Avalokiteswara. Then Yama, the lord of justice, went where he was, and having saluted his feet with his head began to utter his praise. 'Glory to thee Avalokiteswara Mahêéwara, Padmasri, the giver of boons, the subduer, best overlooker of the earth, &c. Thus having uttered his special praise, Yama thrice circumambulated round the Bodhisattwa and went out.'
Chapter III." Then Sarvanivaranavishkambhin thus addressed Buddha, 'When does the glorious Bodhisattwa Avalokiteswara come back?' Buddha answered, 'Noble son, he has gone out of hell, and has entered the city of the pretas. There hundreds of thousand of pretas run before him, with forms like burned pillars, tall like skeletons, with bellies like mountains, and mouths like needles' eyes. When Avalôkiteswara comes to the preta city, the city becomes cold, the thunderbolt ceases, and the doorkeeper, with uplifted javelin, his hand busy with poison, and his eyes red with anger, suddenly by his power begins to feel the influence of benevolence; I must not have to do with such a field of labour.'
"Then the Bodhisattwa Avalokiteswara having beheld that abode of beings, being filled with compassion, caused ten Vaitarani rivers to issue from his ten fingers, and ten more from his toes; and likewise in his great compassion rivers of water poured from all his pores down to those afflicted beings. And when the pretas tasted that water, their throats became expanded and their limbs filled, and they were satiated with food of a heavenly flavour. Then, regaining human consciousness, they begin to think of worldly things. Alas, happy are the men of Jambudwipa who can seek cool shade, who can always live near their parents and wives; who can cut the sacred staves, and repair the broken
idrasah balam.
I omit the remainder of this address, which extends to a page.