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CHAPTER THREE
Stuti (187–194) "O god, the earth shares happiness from your birthkalyāņa. How much more where your lotus-feet shall wander! Now eyes have done their duty by obtaining the pleasure of a sight of you; and hands by which you have been worshipped, O Blessed One, have their purpose accomplished. O Lord Jina, after a long time the festival of your bath, anointing, worship, etc. has become the finial of the shrine of my desire. O Lord of the World, now I extol even saṁsāra in which the sight of you, O god, alone is cause of emancipation. Even the waves of the ocean Svayambhūramaņa are numbered, but not the virtues of you who possess the supernatural powers, by such as me. O pillar of the sole pavilion of dharma, sun for the lighting of the world, tree to the creeper of compassion, protect the universe, O Lord of the World. Your preaching, the key for opening the closed door of nirvāṇa, will be heard by fortunate beings, O god. May your form, reflected always in my mind resembling a shining mirror, be the cause of nirvăņa."
After this hymn of praise, Hari took the Lord, flew up instantly, left him at Lady Mangalā's side, and went to his own abode.
Life before initiation (196–202) Since his mother's mind was brilliant while he was in her womb, his father gave the Master the name Sumati. Cherished by nurses appointed by Indra the Lord of the World passed his childhood and attained youth. Three hundred bows tall, broad-shouldered, with branches in the form of arms hanging to his knees, the Lord looked like a living kalpa-tree. Women's eyes move constantly like fish in the clear stream of the Master's loveliness. Knowing that he had pleasure-karma and also because of his father's importunity, the Lord married princesses of beautiful appearance. Ten lacs of pūrvas after his birth, the Lord assumed the excessive burden of the kingdom at the
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