________________
262
with these true benedictions, the kings of the gods had dramatic actings performed there. With stoppage of celestial amusements, King Nandivardhana burning with the fire of separation from the would-be Arhat, calles his servants into his presence and said 'o beloved of the gods! Let a palauquin named Candraprabhā, fifty dhamis long, twenty-five dhanus wide, and thirty-six dbanub bigh containing an elegant altar decorated with a variety of Svastikas ( auspicious signs ys) made with liquid saffron mixed with sandal - paste, - a palanquin equipped with a lion -seated throne inlaid with various jewels and with a steady foot-stool,-a palanquin furnished with jingling bells causing the directions to resound with the sweet noise of their charming tinkling sound, and furnished with hundreds of banners and flags of various colours, be prepared for the use of the Lord of the World." The servants rejoicing on hearing the words of tbeir master, did everything as was ordered to them.
Acyuténdra, then greatly delighted with joy, crdered his gods to prepare a palanquin,-similar to Candraprabhă-equipped with big columns in-laid with jewels and decorated with strings of pearls hanging there, in which figures of rain-bow were created in all the directions by the rays of precious stones of tbe five varieties, and which was extremely wonderful to look at, and had it placed within the Candraprabha palanquin.
Vardhamāna Swāmī, adorned with ornaments for hair and clothes, ornaments of various kinds for the body, and flower-wreaths of various kinds, and observing a two-days fasting without food and water, then got up from his seat, and gcing three times round the Candraprabhā palanquin from right to left, took his sest on the lion-seated throne in it with his face towards the East. Then an elderly woman of the family, becoming pure by a bath, and putting on an excellent state-costume took her seat on a state-chair on the right side of the Bhagavān, holding a cloth interwoven with
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
