Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 1

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 133

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string had the beautiful appearance of the Gangã with other rivers. As if greedy for the pleasure of touching it, the east wind and other winds, with faltering course rocked them slowly, slowly. Blowing between them, the wind made a sound pleasant to hear, as if a flatterer were singing the spotless glory of Indra.
Near his lion-throne in the northwest and north directions and in the northeast, there were so many thrones in succession for the Sāmānika-gods as there were gods, eightyfour thousand, like crowns of heavenly Sris. In the east there were eight thrones of the eight chief-goddesses, having the same shape, as if produced at the same time. In the southeast direction there were twelve thousand thrones for the gods of the inner council; and in the south fourteen thousand seats in succession for the gods in the middle council; and in the southwest a row of seats of the sixteen thousand gods of the outer council. In the west the seven thrones of the seven generals shone as if fallen from one disc. Eighty-four thousand seats of the body-guards shone in every direction around Sakra, like the stars around Meru.
When the Ābhiyogika-gods had completed the aerial car, they reported to the Master of the gods. Then Purandara changed into his best form ; for the assumption of any form at will is natural to the gods. Together with his eight chief-queens like heavenly Sris, Vāsava had interesting things shown by troops of actors and Gandharvas. Then, after circumambulating it, he ascended his aerial car, like his own lofty pride, by the east steps. Sahasrākşa, his image reflected in the jeweled walls as if he hud thousand bodies, seated himself on his ow. throne, facing the east. Then Śakra's Śāmānikas, like other forms of Sakra, ascended by the north steps and took their proper seats. The other gods entered by the southern steps and sat down, each on his own seat. Before the Master there is no transgression in regard to the seat.
In front of the Lord of Paulomi (Sakra) seated on the lion-throne shone eight groups of the eight auspicious