Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 3

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

Page 85

56
CHAPTER ONE
like a bard; with a halo, like the eastern mountain with the sun; attended by a crore of gods, asuras and men; setting his lotus-feet on nine golden lotuses which were moved forward in turn by the gods; the Lord entered the samavasaraña, the front of which was presided over by a shining dharmacakra, by the east door. Then the Lord of the World circumambulated three times the caitya-tree which welcomed him, as it were, with the sound of humming bees. Saying "Homage to the congregation,” the Lord, facing the east, adorned the lion-throne, the pericarp of the lotus of the dais.
The Vyantaras made images of the Master seated on jeweled lion-thrones in the other directions. Entering by the east door, the monks sat down in order, the Vaimānikawomen and nuns stood. Entering by the south door and bowing to the Arhat, the Bhavanāpati-, Jyotiska-, and Vyantara-women stood in the southwest. Entering by the west door, bowing to the Arhat, the Bhavanādhipas, Jyotişkas, and Vyantaras stood in the northwest. Entering by the north door, bowing to the Blessed One, the Vaimānikas, men, and women, stood in order in the northeast. So within the third wall stood the holy fourfold congregation, the animals inside the middle wall, and within the lowest wall the draft-animals.
Then the royal agents reported joyfully to the Ardhacakrin, Triprstha, that the Master had stopped in the samavasaraņa. Rising from the lion-throne at once and taking off his shoes, standing facing the direction of the Master, Hari did homage to the Master. Seated (again) on the lion-throne, the younger brother of Acala gave thirteen crores of silver to the men who announced the Master's arrival. Accompanied by Balabhadra, Sārngabhst went with great magnificence to the samavasaraṇa, the refuge of all creatures. Entering it by the north door, after bowing to the Arhat properly, he and Muśalapāņi sat down behind Sakra. After bowing to the Master again, Indra,