Lalit Vistara

Author(s): Rajendralala Mitra
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 49

CHAPTER III.
NOTES.
1. Podhisattra (p. 32). Here a particular individual who was to descond ou carth and acquire Buddhahnoi, is intended. Besides bim there were around him, arcording to the legend, nuneros Bodhisatt. vas whoso period of spiritual trial and moral refinement had not advanced suflicieutly, to cutitla them to look for the highest prizo of Buddhahood witi.in an early date. They are assumed to he of different classes, and the person under notico in supposed to havo belonged to the class named Svetakotu.
According to the Burmese version he had obtained his Boulliisattva. hood aftap his mundane existence as a pince under the name of Wethandra, during whicls, among other arts of l'enctivenee, he gave "aray his wilc, the princess Mardi, and his in children, Dali and Calna." As Bodhisattva ini. Tushita bis specitie name was Saytahaytoo, which the Sanskrit text lakes to be li clar's name, Bigandet, I, P. 10. The Chinese version give him the name of llou-ming - Prabhápála, and assizus him a period of 1,000 years' sojour iu Tuhita, after which live signs became apparent, namely, thu caprict of flowers on his head began to fade, 'lis rmpits esuded perspiration, liis garments became less beautiful, his body lost its splendour and his scult or throno ovinced signs of unsicudiness. These indicated that he was to holl his place no longer, but to descend on carth for his final trial. Burel, . 21.
2. Ipsurass (p. 32). i. e., they had no females in their company --not even celestial nymphs (Apsarasa-), who have constant access to all the regions of desire, including the heaven of Lndru.
3. 7xcclve years hence (p. 32). The 'Wibetan version gives the prophecy in the same words, but in the Burmese version of Bishop Digaudet, the following is substituted: "During his sojourn in that happy placo, enjoying the fulluess of pleasure allotted to the fortunate inhabitants of those blissful regions, a sudden and uncommon rumour, accompanied with an extraordinary commotion, proclaimed the gladoning tidings that a l'hra was soon to make his appearance in this world." I, p. 19. In the Chinese version, (p. 25)