Book Title: Lalit Vistara
Author(s): Rajendralala Mitra
Publisher: Asiatic Society

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Page 258
________________ 256 LALITA-VISTARS. one was temperate, and the winter oue was warm by nature, The ladders of each of these palaces could not be raised or lowored by (less thau) five hundred persons; and the sound of their raising and lowering could be heard from a distance of half A yojana. Orders were issued that the Prince should nover be permitted to go ont of his own accord. TL bad ben predicted by astrologers an'l soothsayers that the Prince would depart through the Lucky Gate' (or the Gate of Marn, Muñgulatobne); so the king caused very heavy doors to be fitted to that gate. Each door could be opened or shut by the labour of wot less than five hundred men, and the sound of the opping and the shutting would extend to a distance of half a yojana. The means for the gratification of the five sonses weris also collected, and Jamsels were always kept in attendance for singing, music and dancing. Now, Dhiksbus, the Bodhisattva omlered tbe charioteor, "quickly gel the chariot wads; I propose to go to the garden." Thereupon the charioteer repaired to the king S'uduhodana, and bail, " Sire, the Prince desires to proceed to the garden." The ling reflected. The Prince has never been to the pleasuregarden to behold its well-laid parterres except in my company; now, it 1.120 Privee should go there surrounded by ladies, he will be disposed to sport in alliance and not think of renouncing bis hone. So, ont of profile affection for the Bodhisattva, caused the news to be published liy the ringing of balls throughout the town that on the seventh day the Prince would proceod to be pleasure.gouden to behold the grouods; therefore the people should bide all offensive sigbts, so that the Prince may not see anything repulsive. All pleasant objects and auspicious nights should be put forth. Now, on the seventh day the whole town was decorated. The garlen was set off and spread over with flowers of various colours, and parasols, standards, and flags were set up everywliere. The road ly which the Bodhisattva would proceed was watered, wmvothed, sprinkled with aromaatio waters, scattered with

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