Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 1

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

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eagerness of the gods of Saudharmakalpa following the Lord of the gods. The car with its great flag, descending from the surface of the sky, looked like a ship descending from the crest in the middle of the ocean. Inside the constellation-circle, like an elephant inside a group of trees, making the sky seem 165 to be covered with clouds, as it were, after crossing numberless continents and oceans, like the wind in speed, the car arrived at Nandiśvaradvipa. Going to Mt. Ratikara in the southeast, Indra contracted the car, like a learned man abridging a book. Then, after crossing continents and oceans on this side, gradually contracting the car more and more, Vāsava arrived at the continent named Jambūdvipa, at the southern half of Bharata, and at the birth-house of the first Tirthakệt. Then with the car he circumambulated the Master's lyingin house, like the sun going around Meru. The Lord of the northeast quarter parked his car in the northeast, like a treasure in the corner of a house.
Then, descending from the car (vimāna) like a muni from conceit (māna), with a gracious mind Sakra went to the Master's presence. At the mere sight of the Lord, the Lord of the gods bowed. For at the sight of the master, a bow is the first present. Then after circumambulating the Blessed One and his mother, Sakra bowed again. In devotion, there is no such thing as repetition. With folded hands on his head, the King of the gods addresses the Lady Marudevā with devotion :
"O Lady, carrying a jewel in the womb, producing light for the world, hail to you, Mother of the World. You are blessed; you possess merit. You have a fruitful birth; you have the best attributes. Among mothers you alone are purifying the three worlds. This first Tirthanātha, the Blessed One, the shower of the hidden path to mokşa, a draught-animal for raising up dharma, was borne by you. I, the Indra of Saudharma,
155 400. Matīkurvad ? All the MSS. have this reading.