________________
212
male (husband). She attained great benefit and fame, and she lived in a happy frame free from fatigue. She could see the Bodhi -sattva in her womb as one can see a yellow thread passing through an exquisite gem. Now the rule is that like a diety's abode in a temple, the womb occupied by the Bodhi-sattva cannot afterwards be occupied or enjoyed by another being. This is why the mother dies a week after the birth of the child and she is then born in the Tuşit doka. Unlike other women who give birth to a child in sitting or lying posture after having carried the child in the womb for 10 months more or less, the mother of the Bodhi -sattva carries the child in the womb exactly for ten months and then she gives birth to the child in a standing posture. That is typical of the Bodhi-sattva's mother.
Birth When the time of delivering the child came, Queen Mahāmāyā expressed a desire to go to her parental home. The king got the road connecting Kapilavastu with Devadaha repaired, and then had it decorated with banana trees, filled-up jars, ensigns, flags, etc. Then the queen started on a golden palanquin being accompanied by a thousand officers and many valets and maids. Half-way between the two cities, and used by the citizens of the two cities, there was a park named Lumbini which was full of excellent sala trees. At this season, the trees in the park were in full bloom from top to bottom. Between the twigs and between the blossoms, bees hummed sweetly and birds chirped gently. The entire park of Lumbini was in full decoration. Queen Mahamaya expressed a desire to take a stroll in the park. The attending officers at once carried out her wishes. The entire party moved into the park. When the queen came under an excellent sala tree, she desired to capture a branch. At once the branch bent itself and came within her reach. The queen stretched her hand and caught it. Just then, she had her labour pain. At once an enclosure was put up and all people stood apart. As the queen stood holding the branch in her hand, the child was born. The child was received on a golden net by the four Mahabrahmas of pure heart who had arrived there in time for this purpose. They placed the child in the presence of the mother and said,
'Queen! Be pleased to learn that you have given birth to a very powerful son.
