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SAMBHAVAJINACARITRA
Birth rites (137-160)
Dikkumārīs,
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Then from the lower world eight Bhogankarā and others, came to the Master's house, knowing the birth of the Arhat by clairvoyant knowledge. They circumambulated the Jina and his mother three times, bowed, and announced themselves, saying at the same time, Do not be afraid." Standing in the northeast, after they had made a vaikriyasamudghāta,885 they removed thorns, etc. for a yojana with a whirlwind. Then they bowed to the Blessed One, sat down near him, and continued to sing his virtues, just like women of the family.
Then from the upper world eight Dikkumāris, Meghankarā, etc., came and bowed in the same way to the Master and Master's mother. They created clouds for a radius of a yojana from the house and laid the dust with showers of perfumed rain. They showered five-colored flowers kneedeep, bowed to the Jina and, singing the Jina's virtues, stood in the proper place.
Eight Dikkumāris, Nandottara, etc., came from east Rucaka, bowed likewise, and stood singing, holding mirrors. Eight Dikkumārīs, Samāhārā, etc., came from south Rucaka, bowed, and stood on the right, gold pitchers in their right hands. Eight Dikkumārīs, Ilā, etc., came from west Rucaka, bowed, and stood behind, holding fans. Eight goddesses, Alambusā, etc., came from north Rucaka, bowed, and stood at the left, singing, holding chauris. Four, Citrā, etc., came from the intermediate directions of Rucaka, bowed, and stood at the intermediate points, singing, holding lamps. Four goddesses, Rūpā, etc., came from the middle of Rucaka. They cut the Lord's navel-cord except four fingers' length, made a hole in the ground, and deposited the navel-cord like a treasure. Filling the hole with diamonds and jewels, they made a cover of durvā grass. In each direction, except the west, from the Jina's birthhouse, they made a four-room house of plantain. They
139. See I, n. 157.
885
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