Tirthankar Mahavir

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust

Page 63

cheeks and some applied musk paste to their eyes. They were so eager to see the venerable Vardhamana that they forgot everything and made these amusing mistakes.
The magnificent procession started to move. The palanquin was borne by the four lords of gods on their shoulders. Everyone who had joined the procession was very happy and cheerful. Some showered pearls on him out of devotion, others recited hymns in praise of him. Some performed dances, while others sang and played music that inspired religious feeling. The whole city showed its high esteem, devotion and veneration towards him. Everyone shouted with joy 'Victory to Bliss, Victory to Welfare'. The earth and the skies resounded with those cries of victory.
The palanquin proceeded with the vast multitude of the people through the city. King Nandivardhana had spent all his wealth and energy preparing for the grand procession. It was a spectacular procession in the following order:
•
•
•
62
First came goddesses carrying on their heads representations of eight auspicious items;
goddesses carrying golden pitchers filled with water or small golden thrones on their heads or chamara fans or flags or umbrellas in their hands.
a group of one hundred eight stately elephants and horses each without riders
one hundred eight majestic chariots equipped with weapons and making tinkling sound of small bells. The chariots were decorated with fluttering flags;
one hundred eight excellent men;
the fourfold army - warriors riding horses, warriors riding elephants, warriors moving in chariots and foot-soldiers.
the Mahendra-dhvaja (the banner of Mahendra) - this was a banner on top of a pole which also had many colourful flags.
soldiers marching with swords, spears and shields.
dancers, actors, acrobats, jesters and jokers who were shouting cries of
victory.
In a royal Carriage - Chandraprabha