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CHAPTER NINE “Please ask Sulasā, the wife of the charioteer Nāga, there respectfully and tactfully, about her behavior because of our teaching." Saying, 'I agree,” he went to Rājagsha through the air. Stopping at the door of Sulasā's house, he thought: “In the presence of gods, asuras, and kings, the Lord of the Three Worlds was favorable to Sulasā. What can I do to test her?”
Possessing the magic power of transformation, he assumed another form. Clever, he entered Sulasā's house and asked for alms. Making the assertion, “I give alms to a sādhu who is worthy,” Sulasā did not give at that time to him when he asked.
Then leaving the city, he assumed the form of a Brāhman and remained absorbed in meditation at the door of the east city-gate. Seated in the padmāsana,196 having four arms and four faces, wearing the Brāhmanical sacred thread and a rosary, adorned with a crown of twisted hair, accompanied by Sāvitrī, with a hansa for a vehicle, he taught dharma and delighted the minds of the townspeople who thought, “ This is Brahmā in person.” Summoned by her women friends, “ Brahmā himself is outside (the city) ", Sulasā did not go, afraid of acquaintance with false belief.
On the next day Ambada stayed at the south gate in the garuda-posture, holding the conch, disc, club, and bow, in the form of Govinda (Vişņu). Not to be moved from right belief, Sulasā did not go there even at the rumor of Vişnu which caused confusion to the people.
On the third day at the west gate, with a bull for a vehicle, moon-crested, accompanied by Gauri, with a skingarment, three-eyed, smeared with ashes, carrying a staff with a skull on top, holding a trident, carrying a bow, holding a skull, with a necklace of headless bodies, surrounded by various demi-gods, Ambada taught dharma, having become
196 280. In ordinary usage the posture of the statues of the Tirtharkaras. Cf. II, n. 18 for the āsanas.
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