Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 1

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

Page 357

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the tree appear to have shoots from its root. Above the platform they made a jeweled dais which was rubbed frequently by the blossoms on the ends of the caitya-tree branches. In the middle of the dais they made a jeweled lion-throne with a foot-stool, facing east, like the pericarp of the seed-vessel of a blooming lotus. Above the dais they created three umbrellas just like the three streams of the Tripathagā (Gangā) made into whirlpools. So, in a moment the samavasaraṇa was erected by the gods and demons, as if they had brought it from some place already made.
Then the Lord of the World entered it, the door to mokşa, by the east door, like entering the hearts of the souls capable of emancipation. Then the Lord circumambulated the aśoka-tree, the blossoms on the ends of its branches becoming ear-ornaments (for him). Saying "Homage to the congregation," facing the eastern quarter, the Lord sat on the lion-throne, like a king-goose on a lotus. The Vyantara-gods created images of the Supreme Lord placed on lion-thrones in the other three directions. The sādhus, sādhvis, and Vaimānika-women entered by the east door, made the pradakşiņā, and bowed to the Jina and the congregation with devotion. All the sādhus sat down in the southeast direction inside the first wall, great trees in the garden of dharma; behind them stood the Vaimānika-women and behind them stood in the same way groups of sādhvis. Entering by the south door according to precedent, the women of the Bhavaneśas, Jyotişkas, and Vyantaras stood in succession in the southeast. Entering by the west door in the same way, the Bhavanesas, Jyotişkas, and Vyantaras bowed, and stood in succession in the northwest. When Vāsaya learned that the Lord had come to a samavasaraņa, he came quickly, covering the sky with a multitude of cars. Entering by the north door, Sutrāman made pradakṣiṇā three times, bowed, and with devotion recited a hymn of praise as follows: