Lalit Vistara

Author(s): Rajendralala Mitra
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 76

LALITA-TISTARA.
am gone thou shalt instruct thesc good people in the absolutely perfect knowledge."
Now the Bodbisattva, having established Maitreya Bodhisattva in the mansion of Tushita, asked the great godly assembly : “In what form, venerable sirs, shall I enter the womb of my mother?"
One of them said, "Lord, you shonld do so in the form of a human heing."
Another said, "let it be in the form of Sakra." Another supported, "it should be m the form of Brahma." A fourth observed, "let it be in the form of a Mabárájika."
The fiih would have it in the form of Vaisravaņa" (Kureru).
The sixth, in the form of a Gandharva." The next wisted him to assum', "the form of a kinnara."
Another words have it that lie should appear in the forni uf a great serpul" (
w ord). Another," in the form of Malesvara" (Siva).
The next wished him to assume “the form of Chandra" (the moon).
The next suggested, let it be in the form of Surya" (the sun). Another said, "let it be in the forin of a Garuda.'"*
Among them there was one of the name of Ugratejá, a Devaputra of the clie- Bralunakayika, who had formerly been a rishi, and was firm in the absolutely perfect knowledge. IIc suid: "vince he will come to instruct Brahmans who read the Mantras and the lila od the S'astras, the Bodhisattva should enter the womb of his mother in the furiu befitting that purpose."
"llow should that be
"It should be in the form of a noble elephant of great size, haying six tusks. Je slonld be covered with golden bet-works, and pleasing in appearance; he should have well-blovded veins, manifest und well developed beauty, and be endowed with all auspicious marks."