Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 299

264
CHAPTER SIX
Description of sunset, moonrise and dawn (281-316)
Then the sun sank into the western ocean, as if he wished to bathe because of weariness from wandering in the forest of the sky. As the sun departed, after enjoying the western quarter, he took away her garments, as it were, in the guise of twilight-clouds. A row of red clouds shone in the west, as if brilliance had remained independently, after abandoning the sun when he set. Quickly the face of the East darkened from shame at the thought, "Deserting me, with a new love he has wooed the West who has a new color."
Lamentation was made by the birds in the form of twittering from grief at the abandonment of their play-grounds. The pitiful cakravāki became sad like a passionate woman whose husband is far away. The lotus covered her face entirely when the sun set,167 like a faithful wife whose husband has gone to rest. The cows returned quickly from the forest, eager for their calves, worshipped by Brāhmans delighted at obtaining a bath from the wind.108 When the sun set, he surrendered his own brilliance to fire, like a king surrendering sovereignty to his heir. Fires, which stole the beauty of a row of constellations descended from the sky, were lighted everywhere by women. When the sun had set and the moon had not (yet) risen, darkness 169 began to spread. Verily, mischievous persons are clever in deceit. Is this vessel of heaven and earth filled with dust from Mt. Añjana or with antimony? It was observed entirely filled with darkness. Neither dry land, nor water, nor directions, nor the sky, nor the earth-what need for many words—not even one's own hand could be seen at that time. The stars in the sky which was dark like a sword, anointed with darkness com
167 287. The day-blooming lotus.
168 288. Refreshed by the evening breeze? I have found no ritual vāyavyasnāna.
169 291. Tamas, with a play on its meaning as the source of ignoble qualities.