Peacock Egg A Parable Of Mahavira

SR No.: 269571
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: W B Bolle
Publisher: W B Bolle
Total Pages: 10
Language: English
Classification: Article
File Size: 2 MB

Page 3

THE PEACOCK EGG
frondosa flower, like a parrot's beak or the (red) half of the Gunjā berry, the Pentapets phoenicea, the feet and eyes of a pigeon, the Koīl's red eyes, like a mass of Chinese roses or vermilion -- when the sun has arisen waking up the clusters of pink lotuses, when the thousand-rayed day-maker glows in his radiance.27 (It would be very good) to take this abundance of food (etc.), incense, flowers, perfume, clothes, wreaths and ornaments and to enjoy for a while (viharittae) the pleasure grove beauty of the Subhūmi-bhāga park in the company of the courtesan Devadattā.” With these words they agreed on this point with each other and thereupon sent the next day, when the night (...up to) [98 b] radiance, for their servants, and told them thus: “Go, good people, cook abundantly food (etc.), take incense (...), set out for the Nandā pond in the Subhūmi-bhāga park and near that pond erect a pavilion on posts. (then) sprinkle it, cleanse it, smear it with cowdung,28 provide it with an arrangement of fresh and fragrant cut flowers in groups of five colours, make it highly delightfulso with the fragrantly rising smell of burning aloe, choice kundurukka, turukka and incense, scent it well with fine perfumes and turn it into a fragrant bottle, so to speak, and stay waiting for each of us.” (The servants...) did so.32 Thereupon the sons of caravan leaders gave further (doccam) orders and told their servants: “As quickly as possible, as soon as it is yoked bring a carriage which you have had dexterous people (?) yoke34 with excellent young bullocks matching each other in hoofs and tails, and the end of whose sharp horns have been cut level with each other," who are steered by nose ropes having thread-strings with silver bells and that are exquisitely intertwined with gold;36 they should carry garlands made of blue lotuses. The carriage should be overspread with a network of various jewels and silver and gold bells, and endowed37 with auspicious marks."38 They (i.e., the servants) for their part (vi) brought (a carriage) exactly as they were told. After that the sons of caravan leaders bathed, 39 performed a food sacrifice and expiatory rites for good luck, adorned themselves with few but very valuable ornaments, entered the carriage, went to Devadattā's house, got out of the carriage again and entered Devadattā's house. The courtesan Devadattā saw the caravan leaders' sons approach, became glad and joyful, rose from her seat, went seven or eight steps 40 to meet them and spoke as follows: "The gentlemen should say what they have come hither for." Thereupon the caravan leaders' sons spoke thus: “Dear lady, we should like to enjoy the Subhūmi-bhāga park for a while in your company.” Devadattā then complied with this request of the caravan leaders' sons, bathed (etc. as above) and joined them in