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VĀSUPŪJYACARITRA
85
crores of silver and went to the samavasaraṇa with Vijaya. After circumambulating and bowing to the Teacher of the World, he sat down with Lāngalapāņi behind Sakra. After bowing again to the Lord of the World, Sakra, Dviprstha, and Vijaya began to praise (the Lord) in a song filled with devotion.
Stuti (299–306) "On the one hand prevails the bad weather of delusion, which is very terrifying; on the other hand prospects 117 that are constantly fresh like the waves of the sea. Here, Makaradhvaja hard to restrain like a huge sea-monster; there, evil sense-objects strong as evil winds. Here passions, anger, et cetera, like powerful whirlpools; there love, hate, et cetera, like immense mountain-crags. Here series of various misfortunes like great waves; there painful and cruel meditation like a submarine fire. Here self-interest, a source of stumbling like a creeping reed; there many diseases like violent throngs of crocodiles. O Supreme Lord, after a long time raise up the people who have fallen into this very cruel ocean, this very boundless sansāra. The omniscient knowledge and perception of yours are for the benefit of others, O Lord of the Three Worlds, like the fruit and flower of a tree. My birth has its purpose accomplished today; my rank has its purpose accomplished today, since I have been permitted to make the festival of homage to you."
After this hymn of praise, Sakra, Upendra, and Sirin became silent, and the Blessed Väsupūjya began a sermon.
- Sermon on tenfold dharma (304-349)
"In this ocean of worldly existence human birth is attainable with difficulty, like the union of a yoke and yoke-pin, by men devoted to dharma. Verily, this dharma
117 299. For āśā, sky,' correlated with durdinam and āśā, 'hope,' correlated with moha.
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