Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 2

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

Page 27

CHAPTER ONE
of water in the form of juice. At every cow-house the cows flooded the earth, like living rivers of milk, with falling cascades of milk. On every road the fruit trees with pairs of travelers seated by them looked like the wishing-trees of the Kurus with the twins.?
Description of Susīmā (14–24) In this province there is a famous city, suitably named Susīmā (Well-bounded), a depository of wealth, resembling a tilaka on the earth. This jewel of a city shines with unequaled wealth, like a city of the Asuras from the center of the earth that has become visible. There women, who are moving about the houses alone, appear to have their friends present, because of their own reflections in the jeweled walls. Its wall of bright jeweled slabs, surrounded by a moat, looked like the wall around the earth surrounded by the ocean. The dust of the streets was instantly laid by the dripping streams of mada, resembling rain-water, of the elephants moving about. The sun's rays did not penetrate at all into the head-coverings, which resembled the interiors of night-blooming lotuses,“ of the high-born women. Fluttering ends of flags shone on the shrines, as if they warded off the sun repeatedly, saying, “Do not go above the shrine." The gardens with darkened skies and inundated grounds frequently resembled clouds clinging to the earth. Thousands of pleasure-mountains, made of gold and jewels, their slopes beautiful with gardens, looked like sons of Meru. It (the city) was just like the sole meeting-place for pleasure of love, wealth, and duty at the same time, like friends. Because of its great wealth the city was like a sister between the cities Bhogāvati below and Amarāvati above.
3. See I, pp. 29 f. 3 17. See Chap. III. 19. The kumuda, which is closed during the day.
. The capitals of the Nāgas and the gods.