Jain Journal 1971 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 23

212
And while he was mediating on the cause of the destruction of the cycle of worldly existence, the Lokantika gods, resplendent in their crowns, approached.
JAIN JOURNAL
Having bowed down with their heads, they said: "It is very good, O Lord, that you are enlightened (lit. awakened). Much time has passed since the path of salvation is cut off here (in this world).
"These souls wander repeatedly in this dreadul ocean of existence (lit. birth). Let them cross it, resorting (lit. sticking) to the ship in the form of the gospel of Jina; please do not prolong (their tortures longer)."
Thus, the fourfold gods, with Indra as the chief, came there speedily for the sake of his renunciation ceremony when he had thus firmly made up his mind (to renounce the world).
Having bowed down to the best of Jinas, they were delighted with joy, and were repeating (the words of greeting) 'hail' (or victory) with beautiful banners and chowries with their blossm-like hands moving.
He then mounted the palanquin, made of gold and studded with pearls, sandal, emeralds, Indranila and diamonds.
And then the magnanimous one went out of the city, surrounded by gods and kings, with (or to the accompaniment of) thousands of drums that were beaten and with the words of greetings from the crowds of bards.
And he came to the excellent park named Vasantatilaka abound ing in the excellent trees of Bakula, Tilaka, Champaka, Asoka, Punnaga and Naga.
Bidding adieu to his parents, sons, relatives and all the others around him, he then took away the ornaments like the waist-thread, bracelets, etc., and (all his) clothes.
Having bowed down to the Siddhas and performed the ceremony of extracting the hair in five handfuls and along with other four thousand men (the Jina) attained the highest initiation of monks.
And then Indra, receiving or (taking) the hair in a jewelled vessel and bowing down (with his head) threw them in the milky ocean.
The gods, having celebrated the great festivity of renunciation (of the Jina) in the company of men went to their respective places having saluted the best of Jinas.
Translated by B. A. CHAUGULE & N. V. VAIDYA