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290
SÛTRAKRITÂNGA.
the insurpassable, highest perfection, a state which has a beginning but no end. (17)
As the Sâlmali, in which the Suparna? gods take their delight, is most famous among trees, as Nandana is among parks, so is the Omniscient most famous through his knowledge and virtue. (18)
As thunder is the loudest of sounds, as the moon is the most glorious of heavenly bodies, as sandal is the best of perfumes, so of monks is he who had renounced all wishes or plans. (19)
As (the ocean on which sleeps) Svayambhù is the best of seas, as Dharanêndra is the best of Nâgas, as the juice of sugarcane is, as it were, the flag of juices, so is he (Mahâvîra) the flag of monks by his austerities. (20)
As Airâvana is the best of elephants, the lion of beasts, Ganga of rivers, as Garuda, Vênudêva”, is the best of birds, so is Gñâtriputra the best of those who have taught the Nirvana. (21)
As Vishvaksena 3 is the most famous of warriors, as the lotus is the best of flowers, as Dantavakra is the best of Kshattriyas, so Vardhamâna is the best of sages. (22)
As giving safety is the best of gifts, as the best of true speeches is that which causes no dis
1 They belong to the Bhavanapatis, see above, p. 225.
? The commentator says that Vênudêva is another name of Garuda. Vênu stands perhaps for venhu= vishnu; but I do not know that Garuda ever was directly identified with Vishnu.
& Visasêna. Vishvaksêna is a name of Krishna. The commentators make Visvasena of Vîsasena, and seem to take it as a synonym of kakravartin or universal monarch. Dantavakra is mentioned in my Ausgewählte Erzählungen,' p. 35, line 36.
