Part 10: Celebration by the people

Delighted by the news, the King gave such a reward that good fortune in his family was like a cow of plenty. Now the King increased in size like a river at the coming of clouds, like the ocean at full moon. The King shared expansion with the earth, graciousness with the sky, strength with the wind. The King released even enemies from prison, and captivity remained then only for elephants, etc. The King made wonderful pūjās to the images of the Jinas in the shrines, like Śakra to the eternal images of the Arhats. Without any distinction between what was his own and others’, beggars were satisfied with money. For rain from a cloud that has come up is common to all.

Teachers approached, reciting their own poetry,^[1] with pupils gamboling like calves freed from a stake. Here was a Brāhman teacher, reciting charms from the Vedas; there were the sayings of astrologers full of consideration in regard to auspicious moments, etc. Here were the best joyous outcries of high-born women; there the auspicious sound of songs of gazelle-eyed courtesans. Here was the tumult of bards suitable for the preparation of a festival; there blessings in beautiful dvipathaka-meter of wandering bards. Here were the voices loud with joy of crowds of servants speaking to each other; there tumult made by door-keepers which was pleasing from the summoning of petitioners. In the palace-courtyard noise attained sole kingship, like thunder in the sky filled with rainy-season clouds.

In one place people anointed themselves with saffron and other ointments; in another they put on linen and other garments. On one side they honored themselves with divine wreaths and ornaments; on another they pleased themselves with betel mixed with camphor. They sprinkled saffron in the courtyard and arranged svastikas with pearls resembling lotuses. Arches were made with pillars of fresh plantain, and golden pitchers were set at the sides of the arches. The musician-women of the city, their braids of hair containing flowers, wearing head-dresses of wreaths of flowers, with wreaths hanging from their necks, like Śrīs of the seasons in person; with shining jeweled ear-ornaments, armlets, gold neck-ornaments, bracelets, and anklets, like goddesses of Ratnādri; their girdles forming a row, with upper garments whose fluttering borders hang down on both sides, like creepers of kalpa-trees, gave concerts charming with singing and clapping of the hands, like women of the gods. Young women of wealthy city-families, wearing beautiful veils, with safflower-colored upper garments, thieves of the beauty of the eastern quarter covered by twilight-clouds, the beauty of their bodies augmented by saffron-ointment like rivers by the pollen of a bed of blooming lotuses, their eyes downcast as if observing carefulness in walking, adorned with ornaments shining like their-own good behavior, came there carrying in their hands full dishes of flowers and dūrvā-grass.

Some vassal-kings filled dishes with beautiful pearls like unhusked rice and came to the King’s festival. Others who were very wealthy brought collections of jeweled ornaments to Jitaśatru, like gods to Śatamanyu. Some again brought priceless fine, soft cloths that seemed to be woven from plantain- or lotus-threads. Others presented the King with a heap of gold resembling treasure deposited by Jṛmbhaka-gods. Some brought many elephants in must, haughty as if they were the crown princes of the elephants of the quarters. Other kings brought horses excelling in speed, like brothers of Uccaiḥśravas, like younger brothers of the horses of the sun. The courtyard of the palace, though extensive, became impassable from gift-vehicles to the King, like the heart from negligence. The King accepted these gifts to please them. For what is lacking to one whose son is the god of gods himself?

At the King’s command big platforms, like palaces of the gods, were made at every step in the city. At every shop and house there were festoons with jeweled dishes, as if placed by Jyotiṣka-gods who had come from curiosity. On every road the ground was sprinkled with saffron-water to lay the dust, like an anointing of the earth indicating auspiciousness. At every step plays, at every step concerts, at every step sounds of musical instruments were made joyfully by the citizens. For ten days the King had the city hold a great festival, during which it was free from custom-duties, free from fines, free from entrance of soldiers, free from taxes.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

See App. I.