Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 2

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

Page 343

318
CHAPTER SIX in embryo, and because he was moon-color, his father named him Candraprabha.
In childhood the Lord's figure shone as if he were in Vaijayanta, beautiful with a halo of a flood of light fair as moonlight. Day by day the Supreme Lord grew, pulling at the hands of his nurses like a young elephant at the shoots of creepers. The Lord, though he had the three kinds of knowledge, experienced childhood like an ignorant person, as if it, which had not been attained even in his birth as a god, had been attained by his own desire. The Lord traversed childhood with the assistance of various and numerous sports, like a traveler traversing a road with the assistance of charming stories.
Youth (54-57) One hundred fifty bows tall, the Master attained youth, the opposite bank of the stream of childhood, magic for the subjection of women. Knowing that he had pleasure-karma and following his father's command, the Lord of the World married suitable princesses. Two and a half lacs of pūrvas after his birth, the Lord, who was devoted to study and eager for initiation, urgently requested by his parents, spent six and a half lacs of pūrvas and twenty-four angas, like a holiday, governing the earth.
Initiation (58–67) The Lord, though knowing himself the right time for initiation was informed by the Lokāntika-gods like appointed astrologers. The Master began to give gifts for a year, wishing very much to become a mendicant, like a rich man wishing to go on a journey. At the end of the year the Indras, whose thrones had shaken, came there and held the Master's initiation-ceremony, like servants. Then the Master, attended by kings and Indras of the gods and asuras, got into the palanquin named Manorama, delightful with its beauty. Being praised, hymned, and looked at joyfully by the people, the Blessed One went to