Jain Journal 1973 04

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

Page 15

APRIL, 1973
173
combination of fresh blossoms, emitting delicious smell of Campaka, Asoka, Punnaga, Naga, Priyangu, Mudgaraka, Mallika, Jati, Juthi, Ankolla, Kojja, Korantipatra, Damanaka, Nava-mallika, Vakula, Tilaka, Vasantika, Padma, Utpala, Patala, Kunda, Atimukta and Sahakara ; perfuming with fine and unexcelled fragrance ten spheres of the universe ; with charming whiteness of fragrant flowers of all seasons ; splendid with the embellishment of multifarious colours in between, with swarms of bees and black drones humming around, darkening, and filling with their noise, the entire neighbourhood. 37
6. And the moon --white as cow's milk, or foam, or a silver cup, full of white hue in all parts, auspicious ; dispeller of thick darkness of deep and swarthy caves ; with its silvery crescent shining at the end of the two halves of the month ; delight of the blossoms of lotus group, adorning the night, pure as the surface of the well-polished mirror, with bright hue like a swan, decoration of the firmament, enemy of darkness, like the arrow-quiver of Cupid, the god of Love, sweller of the water of ocean, exploiter of the disconsolate, separated from the sweet-heart, placid and beautiful ; shining like the head mark of the vast lunar disc (soma-cakra) in the sky ; full moon, the delight of the heart and mind of Rohini, dazzling in brilliance. 38
7. And then the sun, the dispeller of the mass of darkness, burning radiant in its own self, like the red Asoka, or the blossomed Kimsuka, or the bill of a parrot, or the (red) half of Gunja ; the ornament of lotus groups; the measure/mark of astronomical locations, the lamp of the firmament, the melter of snow-heaps, the illustrious leader of planets, the destroyer of nights, pleasant for a momentary vision at the rising and setting time, exceedingly hard to vision (for the rest of the day), the punisher of night-faring miscreants, the subduer of chill, with its luminous glory set forth by a thousand rays. 39
8. Then an ensign, fastened to a staff of pure gold, an attractive sight for the people, unusually large in size, with its crest made of tender and delightful peacock feather, deep blue, red, yellow and white, exceedingly gracious ; as if a lion, white like crystal, or conch-shell, or Anka-stone, or Kunda flower, or foam of water or a silver cup, was floating to and fro in the firmament, (as if) to deprive a king of his dignity by the dignity of another king. Beaten by gentle stroke of pure breeze, the brilliant ensign was fluttering. 40
9. Then (saw) a full jar of precious (silvery ?) metal, resplendent with fine gold, full of pure water, super-excellent and shining in beauty,