Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 37

CHAPTER ONE
he acquired the body-making-karma of a Tirthakrt by means of the sthānakas, devotion to the Arhats, et cetera. In the course of time he died, possessing right belief and engaged in concentrated meditation, and became a god in the palace Sarvärthasiddha.
His parents (14-26) Now in Bhārataksetra in this same continent Jambūdvipa there is a great city Hāstinapura. In its shrines dharma, constantly rejoicing, dances ardently, as it were, in the guise of white banners. In its houses with the ground of the court-yards paved with jewels the very word 'mud' (kardama) occurred only in yakşakardama.8 Rutting elephants gave blows with their tusks at their own reflections in its wall made of jewels with the idea that they were other elephants. In the royal palaces, in the houses of the people, in the gateways, and other places all that was filled with images of the Arhats like the sky with planets.
Śūra, like a new sun in brilliance, was king in this city, like Dhaneśvara in Alakā. Dharma alone dwelt constantly in his heart like a second soul; but wealth and love remained outside like a body. Of him who had subdued the quarters by his splendor the weapons became only ornaments of the arm, like armlets and bracelets. He did not become angry at any one and he protected the earth. The moon lights up everything without harshness.
His wife was Śrī, like Sridevī of Hari, the embodiment of beauty, grace, and virtue, endowed with spotless conduct. She, fair-faced, dripping nectar in her speech, looked like a stream of nectar, or like a goddess of the moon. She, whose body was faultless, moved and spoke very slowly, the wife of him, like a hansi of a rājahansa. King Sūra, absorbed in unhindered happiness, enjoyed pleasures with the queen, like a god in a heavenly palace. : 812. See I, pp. 80 ff.
8 16. A fragrant ointment.