Part 21: Entrance into Vinītā

Taking the woman-jewel, Cakrin Sagara, possessing the strength of Purandara, went to Sāketapura (Vinītā). The King made a three days’ fast directed toward Vinītā, and observed pauṣadha in the pauṣadha-house according to rule. At the end of the three days’ fast the King left the pauṣadha-house and broke his fast with his retinue. The King entered the city which was like a woman ready for her lover, frowning, as it were, with a multitude or festoons; smiling, as it were, with the beauty of a large number of pearl svastikas; with raised arms, as it were, with the dancing banners of the handsome markets; with body-decoration, as it were, with the smoke-rings rising from the jars of incense; with wide-open eyes, as it were, from the jeweled vessels on the platforms; just as if it had couches from the varied daises; uttering auspicious sounds, as it were, by the tinklings of the palace-bells. The King went to his palace-court, like Śakra to his palace, which had high arches, high banners, and loud blessings from the bards. He dismissed the sixteen thousand gods and thirty-two thousand kings in attendance, the chief jewels—the general, the priest, the steward, and the carpenter, the three hundred and sixty-three cooks,^[1] the eighteen guilds and sub-guilds,^[2] and others also in turn, governors of fortresses, merchants, caravan-leaders, etc.

Attended by his retinue and harem, accompanied by the woman-jewel, the King entered his own palace, like the souls of creatures entering the womb. After he had bathed in the bath-house and worshipped the gods in the shrine, the King ate in the dining-house. Then Sagara amused himself with concerts, plays, and other amusements, the fruit of the creeper of the Śrī of sovereignty.