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272
LA LITA-VISTARA.
1.
"Close all the gateways with their massive doors, mounted on machines and chains; open themot at improper times, nor allow a single soul to go out of this place. (4)
"Decorate yourselves with jewelled necklaces, with pearl necklaces, with face ornaments, with crescents, with chains," zones, earrings, chaplets of coins and anklets.
Should he suddenly start for the good of men and gods, like a mad elephant, do you so exert your power as not to hurt him. (6)
"Those of yout women holding lanes, who protect the bedstead of the Prince, be not drowsy, but keep your eyes open like birds. (7)
For the protection of the king cover this room with jewelled net-work. Recite sweet letters and sounds all the night through, and protect the defectless. (8)
"Let cach awake the next; be not remiss: watch all through the night, so that he may not depart, forsaking his kingdom aud his royalty. (9)
On his departure et erything in the royal race will be grievous, and this royal line of long standing will be cut off." " (10)
Now, Bluksus, twenty-eight great Yaksha generals led by Papelika, the Yaksha generalissimo, and five hundred sons of Har (a Yakhoni assemble land lighd this consultation: "This day, venerable sns, the Bodhisattva will make his departure; it is meet, therefore, that we should exert ourselves for his worship."
The four great kings (of the quarters), entering the metropolis named Adakavatí, mvited a large concourse of Yakshas; "this day, venerable sirs, the Bodhisattva will make his departure, and it is meet that should issue with the feet of his horse sus
tained by you."
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The Yaksha assemblage said: "Ilis nature is as hard as the thunderbolt; that noblest, of beings is infrangible, Nárayana himself, endowed with immense power and vigour, and never to be shaken. One may pluck the great Meru as easily as if it were a common hillock, and hold it aloft in the sky; but none an
