Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 1

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

Page 384

363 The funeral ceremonies (522-565) Then Sunāsira instructed the Abhiyogika-gods promptly in regard to bringing the materials for the cremation of the Master's body. Then at the command of Sankrandana the gods brought instantly from the garden Nandana gośírşa-sandal as fuel. At Indra's command they made a round funeral pyre of gośirşa-sandal in the east for the Master's body. Likewise the gods made a triangular pyre in the south for the great rishis of the Ikşvāku family. For the other ascetics the gods made a rectangular pyre in the west. Then Vāsaya had water brought at once from the Ocean of Milk by the gods like Puşkarāvartaka clouds. Vajrabhịt bathed the Blessed One's body with that water, and anointed it with gośirşa-sandal paste. Vāsava clothed the Supreme Lord's body with a garment of fine cloth with a bansa-pattern. The Chief of the gods fully adorned the Supreme Lord's body with divine jeweled ornaments.
Other gods did at once all that the bathing, etc., for the other munis, with devotion, just as Indra had done. The gods made three litters to be carried by a thousand, each one from the best jewels of the three worlds that had been brought here. After he had bowed at the Lord's feet and had placed his body on his head, Purandara himself put it in the litter. The gods put the bodies of the members of the Ikşvāku-family who had gone to mokşa on the second litter. On the third litter, the gods put the bodies of the other munis, placing them on their own heads. Then Hari himself lifted up the Master's litter, and the other gods the litters of the other munis. While some Apsarases were making a circular dance with handclapping in one place, and others making a sweet-sounding concert in another; some gods placing jars of incense in front which poured forth tears of grief, as it were, in the guise of the smoke from the incense; some throwing wreaths of flowers on the litters, others taking the same ones as remains of a sacrifice; some making festoons