Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 1

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

Page 202

181
to the earth purified by the Master's feet. Then the gods made a rain of perfumed water like the combined juice of the flowers of all the trees of the gods. Gods and men waved garments like chauris, making the sky appear to have divine, two-colored clouds. 228 This inexhaustible gift was made on the bright third of Radha and that was the beginning of the present-day festival of Akṣayatṛtiyā.224 Beginning with Sreyansa the duty of giving originated on earth, just as the course of all practices and laws with the Master.
Amazed by the presence of the gods and by the Master's fast-breaking, the kings, townsmen, and others went to Śreyansa's house. Then Kaccha, Mahākaccha and the other kṣatriya-ascetics experienced great joy at the news of the Master's breaking fast. The kings, townsmen, and the other people living in the country, their bodies blossoming with hair erect from joy, said to Sreyansa: "O Prince, you are fortunate, a crest-jewel of men, since you persuaded the Master to accept even a little cane-juice. He did not accept even wealth which we offered him, and considered it less than straw. The Lord was not gracious to us. Wandering for a year through villages, mines, cities, and forests, the Master did not accept hospitality from anyone. Alas for us who thought ourselves devoted! The Master did not even speak to us today, to say nothing of accepting garments or resting in our houses, Formerly, for several lacs of purvas he cared for us like sons; now the Lord comes to us like a stranger." Śreyansa said to them: "Why do you talk in this way? For the Master is not a king devoted to possessions
228
300. These 5 things-the sound of drums, a shower of jewels, a shower of five-colored flowers, a shower of fragrant rain, and waving of garments, take place on auspicious occasions.
224 301. This.is the first festival of Vaisakha (Rādha). Oblations are made to deceased parents. A pot full of water, a fan, and a pair of shoes are given to a priest for the use of the dead father during the hot Hindu Holidays, p. 5.
season.