Part 15: Vimala’s samavasaraṇa

Then with these two always in close attendance the Teacher of the World, wandering from that place came to the environs of Dvāravatī. Then the gods, Śakra, and others, made a samavasaraṇa with an aśoka seven hundred and twenty bows high. The Blessed One entered it by the east door and circumambulated the caitya-tree three times, observing the custom of the Arhats. Saying, “Homage to the congregation,” the thirteenth Dharmacakrin adorned the lion-throne, facing the east. The monks, nuns, gods, goddesses, women, and men entered by the proper doors and occupied the proper places.

Then royal agents went in haste to Dvārakā and reported to Śārṅgapāṇi that the Master had come to the samavasaraṇa. Svayambhū, delighted, gave twelve and a half crores of silver as a gratuity to the men who announced the Master’s approach. Svayaṃbhū went hurriedly to the samavasaraṇa—the sole cause of good fortune (bhadra)—with Bhadra, and entered. After circumambulating and bowing to the Supreme Lord, Svayambhū and Bhadra sat down behind Śakra.

After bowing again to the Jina, their hands folded together submissively, Vajrabhṛt, Śārṅgabhṛt, and Bala began a hymn of praise:

Stuti:

“O god, today at the sight of you people’s pain arising from existence has disappeared like dirt from the earth from the rain of the rainy season. This day, the cause of the sight of you, on which we, stained by karma, shall become clean, is blessed, Master. Our eyes, which attained the sight of you, attained the kingship of all parts of the body and at once purified our souls. The ground of Bharatakṣetra, purified by contact with your feet, is conducive to destruction of evil. How much more the sight of you! The sight of you, Lord, to wrong-believers like owls is the source of humiliation to the sun by the light of omniscience. Today, O god, creatures’ bonds of karma are broken, their bodies swelling from drinking the nectar of your sight. May the dust from your feet, capable of producing the polishing of the mirror of discernment, resembling the seeds of the tree of good fortune, protect. O Master, may the words of your teaching, like a mouthful of nectar, be for the welfare of us who are buried in the desert of saṃsāra.”