Lalit Vistara

Author(s): Rajendralala Mitra
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 40

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LALITA-VISTARA.
Now, O Bhikshukas, the Devaputras discussed19 among themselves about the noble family in which, and the kind of mother, in whose womb, the Bodhisattva would take his birth. Thereupon some said, "Here in the Magadha country the Vaideha dynasty.20 is wealthy, prosperous, amiablo and generous: it is the most appropriate for the birth of the Bodhisattva."
"Not so," remarked others.
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"Why so?"
"Because it has no children of pure parentage; it is unsteady and fickle; its virtues have dried up; it seems moved by virtue, but it is not immersed in profound virtue; it is but a semblance of a good family; it owns no profusion of gardens, tanks, and lakes. It exists like a torn rag in a corner, and is unfit for the purpose."
Others said; "the many-membered Kesala dynasty,21 rich in wealth and equipages, i:: well becoming the Bodhisattva." "Not even so," replied others.
"And why?"
"Because, dates its rise from the downfall of the Mátangas; it is neither pure on the mother's nor on the father's side; it is lost to all claim to salvation, and is neither illustrious, nor remarkably rich in treasures and precious stones: it is, therefore, unworthy of the Bodhisattva."
generous Vafisa
Some suggested, "the rich, thriving, kind and rája dynasty was worthy of the Bodhisattva." "Even that is unbecoming," said others.
"Wherefore?"
"Because it is a modern dynasty, passionate and inglorious; illegitimate by birth, and unadorned by ancestral or self-acquired greatness; its ruling head is no suppressor of evils. It is utterly. unfit for the Bodhisattva."
Some said, "the rich, goed, generous and happy city of Vaisali, inhabited by numbers and adorned by covered court-yard, gates, trumphal arches, windows, palaces, tower, lofty mansions, gardens and groves over-stocked with flowers, rivalling the;