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vimānas of similar rank and life-span (with himself), thirtythree chief gods, four guardians of the spheres, eight principal consorts with their retinue, three courts, seven regiments, seven commanders of regiments, celestial body-guards/aide-de-camp eightyfour thousand strong, and an innumerable number of gods and goddesses residing in the Saudharmakalpa ; (such one) was spending his time enjoying many pleasures permitted to divine beings, under the great din of incessant story-telling, stage play, music, and playing on instruments like Vina, Karatala, Turya, big drums like Patu, Pataha, and many others. 14
At that time, (Sakra) was on an observation of the isle of Jambu by dint of his profound avadhi knowledge. There he saw, in the isle of Jambu, in the southern half of Bharatavarsa, in the Brahmana Kundagrama, Sramana Bhagavan Mahavira, lodged in the form of an embryo. in the womb of Brahmani Devananda of the line of Jalandhara, wife of Brahmana Risabhadatta of the line of Kodala. Having seen (him), he was happy and glad in his mind, overwhelmed with joy, delighted and highly enraptured, with his heart expanded with joy, with his porehairs thrilled and standing erect like the fragrant flowers of Nipa beaten by rain-drops, his face and eyes wearing happiness like the best lotuspetals in full bloom. He had beautiful bracelets on his hands, bangles and keyūra dangling, crown on his head, rings on the ears, and necklace decorating his breast, with pendants of ornaments hanging and swinging. Astounded, and in confusion and haste, the king of the gods rose from his throne, descended to the foot-stool, and took off his slippers, polished with expertise with the best cream of the vaidurya colour, deep and shining, and beset with glittering gems and stones. Then he placed a portion of the seamless robe on his shoulders in the shape of uttariya. Then with the fingers on his palms arranged and folded in the shape of a flower bud, he advanced seven or eight steps towards the (would-be) Tirthankara. Then bending his left knee, and supporting (himself) with his right knee on the floor, he placed his head thrice on the ground. Then slightly raising his head, he composed his arms decorated with bracelets and bangles, touched his head with the extended ten fingers of his folded palms and prayed thus : 15
"Obeisance to the Arhatas and Bhagavatas ; obeisance to the Adikaras, the Tirthankaras and the Self-Enlightened Ones : obeisance to the best among men, the lions among men, the best lotus among men, the elephants of the gandha species among men ; obeisance to the best in the world, the guides of the world, the benefactors of the world, the beaconlights of the world, the enlighteners of the world ; obeisance to the liberators from fear, the givers of vision, the givers of the path, the givers of
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