________________
244
CHAPTER ONE
wood. The Blessed One, supported by Bidaujas, ascended the lion-throne in the palanquin, like a hansa a lotus. In front mortals lifted it, like horses a great chariot; next the gods, like the Thick Winds 888 the earth.
With the best musical instruments sounding on all sides like clouds, Gandharvas giving a concert like nectar to the ears, Apsarases dancing with varied gestures and postures, bards reciting, Brāhmans chanting prayers, the old women of the family reciting something auspicious, and high-born women singing charming auspicious hymns, gods moving at the front, in the rear, and at the sides like horses; looked at with wide-open eyes, pointed at with fingers, receiving blessings of the citizens at every step, delighting the world by glances like glances of nectar, his chauris waved and his umbrella carried by gods, the Master went to Sahasrāmravaņa in the city Śrāvasti.
From this jewel of a palanquin the Teacher of the World descended, desiring to take initiation, like a peacock from a tree, desiring to take food. The Blessed One discarded wreaths, ornaments, etc., and wore on his shoulder the devadūsya placed there by Indra. On the day of the full moon of Mārgaśīrşa, the moon being in conjunction with Mrgasiras, in the last division of the day, having fasted for two days, the Lord of the World pulled out his hair from his head in five handfuls, as easily as troubles previously acquired. Sakra caught the Master's hair in the end of his own garment and threw it immediately in the Ocean of Milk like the remains of a sacrifice. He quickly restrained the noise of gods, asuras, and men by a gesture of his hand, like a door-keeper.
Declaring, "I renounce all activity that is censurable," the Lord adopted good conduct in the presence of the assembly of gods, etc. Then, the Lord's fourth knowledge, mind-reading, arose, like a present security for omniscience. Then for a moment there was comfort even for the hell-inhabitants consumed by unmixed pain as if
888 275. See p. 105.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
