Lalit Vistara

Author(s): Rajendralala Mitra
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 77

CHAPTER v.
76
Hearing this, the Bodhisattva manifested himself as one versed in the Vedas and the S'astras of the Brāhmaṇs, and endowed with the thirty-two marks which he was afterwards to bear.
Thus, Bhikshus, the Bodhisattva, having, while in Tushita, ascertained the time of his birth, observcıl the eight pre-ordained signs in the palace of the kiny S'uddhodana.
What were the eight signs?
That palace was devoid of grass, dust, thorns, gravel, harilness and dirt; it was well watered, well adorned, (ur well purified,) well aired, freed from darkness and dust, unaffected by gadflies, mosquitoes, Hius, inscets and reptiles, showered over with flowers, and well under controul. This was the first preordained sign that was manifest.
Pulruyuplas, parrots, mainas, (Grneulie inligioso,) cuckoos, geese, lierous, peacocks, brahminy duris, luwales, sparrows, jivus, jirukusi and otber birds of mauy-colourer plumago, and pleasing and agreeable voice, dwellers of the great mountain Himálaya, had all come tu the palace of the king Sudhodlana, anil, settling on the pavilions, doors, gates, windows, rooms, towers, anil temples, sounded, in delight and good feeling, cach its own peculiar note. This was the second 110-ordained sign.
The various fruit and flower trees in the delightful gardens and pleasure-grounds of the kiny Suddhuriana, ull blossomed and Slowered, though not in season. This was the third pre-ordained sign.
The tanks of the king S'uddhodlana were full of water, aud covered with millions over inillions of lotus Howers and leaves of the size of curt wheels. This was the fourth pre-ordained sign.
Again, in the noble house of the king S'uddhodána, various articles of food, such as clarified butter, oil, honey, molasses and sugar, though extensively consumed, were never exhausted, and always appeared full. This was the fifth pre-ordained sign...
Again, in that excellent house of the king S'uddhodana, the extensive inner apartmente resounded with the self-evolved delightful music of the trumpet, drum, panava, tupava, lo viná,