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CHAPTER EIGHT Sakra'had thrown the hair in the Ocean of Milk, had returned and restrained the tumult and stood like a doorkeeper with folded hands, the Lord and one thousand kings, observing a two days' fast, made a promise of abstention from censurable activities, in the presence of gods, asuras, and kings, in the afternoon of the twelfth day of the black half of Māgha, the moon being in Pūrvāsādhā. The Lord's fourth knowledge, called 'mindreading,' arose. The gods, etc. bowed and went to their respective abodes.
The next day Lord Sitala broke his fast with ricepudding in the house of King Punarvasu in Riştapura. Then the five things, the stream of treasure, etc., were made by the gods, and furthermore King Punarvasu made a golden platform there. Observing numerous special vows, enduring trials, Lord Sītala wandered for three months as an ordinary ascetic.
Omniscience (73-75) The Teacher of the World went again to Sahasrāmravana and stood there in pratimâ beneath a wavyleafed fig tree. After he had mounted the second pure meditation, like a soldier a rampart, the Teacher of the World destroyed the ghātikarmas like enemies. On the fourteenth day of the black half of Pausa, when the moon was in Pūrvāşãờhā, Sītala Svāmin's omniscience arose.
The samavasarana (76-80) Then the Indras of the gods and asuras made a samavasaraña with three four-doored walls made of jewels, gold, and silver. The Lord entered it by the east door and circumambulated the caitya-tree which was one thousand and eighty bows high. Saying, "Homage to the congregation," the Lord seated himself on the eastern throne, and the gods placed his images in the other directions. Then the others, the gods, etc., stood in their proper places, as eager for the Master's voice as peacocks
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