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entering into the womb, so at the time of his birth, 32 auspicious omens appeared. When the Bodhi-sattva was born in the Lumbini park, Queen Rahul-mātā, minister Channg (Chandaka), minister Kala-Udai, hastiraja (elephant) Ajaniya, asvarāja (horse) Kanthaka, mahabodhi tree and four pitchers full of treasure were also born. The pitchers were placed respectively at a distance of one gavyūti (i. e., at a distance of 1/4 yojana), 1/2 yojana), 3 garyūtis (3/4th of a yojana) and one yojana. The residents of the two cities together came to Kapilavastu with the Bodhi-sattva.
Tapasa Kaladevala
Hermit Kala-devala who was the master of eight samadhis was held in the highest esteem in the family of Suddhodana. One day, having finished his dinner, the Tapas a went to the Trayas trimsa-loka for the purpose of a change and recreation. To the gods who were having a nice time, he said,
"Will you kindly tell me what it is that makes you so very gay and palyful?"
The gods said,
"Dear me! Don't you know that? A son has been born unto king Suddhodana. He will sit beneath the bodhi tree, be enlightened himself and then he will introduce the Wheel of Religion (dharma-cakra). We will have unlimited opportunity to see his great activit ies and hear dharma from his lips. This explains why we are so happy and gay."
Without losing any further time, the monk hurriedly descended from heaven and came to Suddhodana's palace. (He was duly received.) Having taken his seat, he said to the king,
"King! A son is born to thee. I want to see him, "
The king sent for the boy, and (after he was brought in,) he advanced to place him at the monk's feet, But (before he could do so,) the Bodhi-sattva's feet touched the matted hair of the monk. In his life as a Bodhi-sattva, he bows before none. If, through ignorance, the Bodhi-sattva's