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CHAPTER THREE
and asuras, moving to and fro like flocks of Garudas. Numerous troops of actors belonging to the sixty-four Indras performed plays before the Master, considering themselves fortunate. Bands of musicians belonging to the Bidaujases gave concerts, exerting themselves and being delighted at the same time. Here and there actors, followers of Sagara, gave plays with various rôles in rivalry with the gods. The royal women-musicians, the ornament of Ayodhyā, gave shows capturing the gaze of every eye. Then the space between heaven and earth was filled with the loud noise of the tumult of the plays and concerts given by gods and mortals. The ground was covered with gravel from the broken and crushed necklaces of the numerous kings, vassals, and rich men advancing. The highways were muddy with mada of the best rutting elephants, divine and earthly. The three worlds looked like one world with one over-lordship from all the gods, asuras, and men who had come together in the presence of the Master.
The Lord of the World, exceedingly courteous because of the courtesy of the people, accepted blessings at every step, though indifferent. The Teacher of the World favored gods and men coming there together with a glance equally gracious. Thus a great festival being celebrated by gods and asuras, the Lord went gradually to the garden named Sahasrāmravaņa. The Blessed One, Lord Ajita, entered the garden hedged in on all sides by ketakī-trees close together, with spaces difficult to penetrate for the swarms of bees intoxicated by the fragrance of flowers; with the space between trees and creepers cleaned by the townboys, wishing to play, like slaves of rich men; the strong pregnancy-whim of its trees, the kurubaka, aśoka, bakula, etc., being fulfilled often by the townswomen fond of sport; 162 the sweet water of its channels being sipped
I.e., they kicked or kissed these trees, which made them
162 245. blossom.
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