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ABHINANDANACARITRA
259
Birth-rites (65-75) Fifty-six Dikkumāris came, each from her own abode, and performed suitably the birth-rites for the Queen and her son. When Sakra knew the Arhat's birth by the trembling of his throne, he and the gods, seated in Pālaka, came to the Lord's house. Sakra descended from his car, entered the Lord's house, and there paid homage to the Master and to the Master's mother. After he had given a sleeping-charm, the Vasava of Saudharma (Sakra) placed an image of the Arhat at the Queen's side, and he himself became fivefold.
One Śakra carried the Lord, another an umbrella, two others chauris, another, twirling the thunderbolt, went ahead dancing. In a moment Sakra reached the rock Atipāņdukambalā and sat down on the lion-throne, holding the Lord on his lap. Then the sixty-three Indras, Acyuta, etc., with their retinues came and bathed the Lord with pitchers of water as was fitting. Iśāna also became fivefold and took the Master on his lap, one holding the umbrella, two the chauris, and another the thunderbolt, going in advance. Sakra created four crystal bulls in the four directions, and bathed the Supreme Lord with the water rising up from their horns. After he had anointed the Lord and had worshipped him with clothes, ornaments, etc., and had waved the light-vessel, Sakra, his hands folded submissively, recited the following hymn of praise :
Stuti (75–82) “O Master, fourth Lord of the Tirtha, sun of the sky of the fourth spoke of the wheel of time, publisher of the glory of the fourth object of existence, hail, O Lord. Now the world having a lord with you as lord after a long time will never be attacked by delusion, etc., robbers of discernment. May the dust of your feet, resembling particles of merit, settle on my head falling at your foot-stool. My eyes are fixed on your face. May the impurity that arose
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