Part 10: Munisuvrata’s śāsanadevatās (messenger-deities)

Originating in that congregation, the Yakṣa Varuṇa, three-eyed, four-faced, white, with matted hair, with a bull for a vehicle, with four right arms holding a citron, club, arrow, and spear, and four left arms holding an ichneumon, rosary, bow, and axe; and Naradattā, likewise originated, fair, placed on a throne, shining with two right arms, one in boon-granting position and one holding a rosary, with two left arms holding a citron and a trident, became the two messenger-deities of Suvrata Svāmin.

With these two nearby, the Lord wandered over the earth and one time stopped in the large city Bhṛgukaccha. King Jitaśatru mounted his high-bred horse, went to pay homage to the Lord, and listened to a sermon. King Jitaśatru’s horse also listened to the Master’s sermon, his hair erect, motionless, his ears pricked up. At the right time the gaṇabhṛt asked the Supreme Lord, “Master, who adopted dharma in this samavasaraṇa?” The Master replied, “No one here adopted dharma except King Jitaśatru’s high-bred horse.” Jitaśatru, astonished, asked the Teacher of the World, “Who is this horse, Lord, who adopted dharma?” The Blessed One related the story: