Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 1

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

Page 385

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of fine cloth; some sprinkling yakşakardama-ointment ahead; some rolling in front like balls of stone dropped by a machine; others running behind as if injured by the powder of delusion; some crying aloud, "O Lord, O Lord”; some blaming themselves, “We unfortunate are lost"; some begging frequently, "Give us instruction, O Lord"; others saying, “Who will solve our doubts about dharma ?" some saying regretfully, “Where shall we go now like blind people ?" some longing, "May the earth give us a chasm"; Hari carried the Master's litter to the funeral pyre, and the other gods the other two litters to the accompaniment of musical instruments. Prācinabarhis slowly placed the Master's body on the eastern funeral pyre, knowing what was proper, as if he were his son. The gods, 8o9 like bloodrelations, placed the bodies of the Ikşvāku-family on the southern pyre; and the other gods knowing what was proper placed those of the other ascetics on the west pyre.
Then at the command of Gotrabhid the Agnikumārika-gods created fire-bodies on the pyres. At Śakra's command, the Váyukumāras created winds, and they quickly, made the fire flame up on all sides. At Indra's command the gods put camphor, etc., by loads, and ghee, honey, etc., by pitcherfuls on the pyres. When the elements, except the bones, had been consumed, the Meghakumáras extinguished the fire of the pyres with water. Purandara took the Lord's right upper molar tooth to his palace to worship like a statue. Iśāna took the left upper molar tooth, and Camarendra the lower right. Bali took the lower left; the other Indras the rest of the teeth, and the other gods the bones. The laymen, begging for the fire of the three pits, received it from the gods. From that time the Brāhmans 400 became fire-priests. For they constantly worshipped in their houses the fire from the Master's pyre; and they guard it unextinguished like
399 547. The other Indras. 100 556. It must be remembered that ' Brāhmans' were laymen.