Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

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

Page 165

MAHĀVIRA'S OMNISCIENCĖ
125 according to rule, adorned with three walls, with four doors in each wall. Seated in it, the Lord delivered a sermon, because it was the rule, though he knew, “ There is no one here capable of complete self-control.”
Śāsanadevatās (11-13) In that congregation originated the Yakşa Mātanga, with an elephant for a vehicle, black, holding a citron in his left hand and a mongoose in his right. Likewise originated Siddhāyikā, with a lion for a vehicle, green, her two left hands holding a citron and a lute, one right hand holding a book, the other in the safety-giving position. These two were the Lord's messenger-deities, always near him.
Because of the lack of people worthy of benefit there, the Lord, who was devoted solely to the benefit of others, whose bonds of affection were completely destroyed, realizing, “I must experience much karma, suitable for consumption, called 'body-making and family-determining of a Tirthakệt' by the enlightenment of creatures capable of emancipation,” surrounded by innumerable crores of the categories of gods, setting his feet on golden lotuses moved forward by the gods, on a road as clear at night as by day from the brilliance of the gods, went to the city Apāpā adorned with noble bhavyas, with twelve yojanas of roads, inhabited by Gautama and others worthy of enlightenment, surrounded by many disciples, who had come together for a sacrifice.
The gods erected a beautiful samavasaraṇa in a garden named Mahāsenavana, not far from the city. The Lord, with all the supernatural powers apparent, hymned by gods and asuras, entered the samavasaraņa by the east door. Then the Teacher of the World circumambulated the caitya-tree which was thirty-two bows high, resembling the splendor of the jeweled daïs. Saying, “Reverence to the congregation,” observing the custom of the Arhats, the Lord sat down on the east lion-throne provided with a foot-stool. The gods, devoted, created images of the Master, by means of his power