Part 13: Stuti

Abandoning royal insignia, going on foot with his retinue, he entered the samavasaraṇa by the north gate. The Lord of Bharata then saw the Master, the moon to the cakora of the eye, surrounded by the four classes of gods. After he had made pradakṣiṇā three times and bowed to the Blessed One, with folded hands on his head, the Cakrin began a hymn of praise as follows:

“Hail! lord of the whole world. Hail! granter of fearlessness to all. Hail! lord of the first tīrtha. Hail! leader across saṃsāra. Sun to the multitude of lotuses of people of the present avasarpiṇī, when you were seen, dawn took place for me whose darkness was destroyed. Your voice, like powder of the dearing-nut, is successful in the task of purifying the water of the minds of souls capable of emancipation. For those who are mounted on the great chariot of your teaching, O Lord, mokṣa is not far away, O ocean of the milk of compassion. We consider saṃsāra, in which we see you—a disinterested brother of the world—in person, better even than the abode of emancipated souls, O God. The happiness of mokṣa, O Master, is experienced even in saṃsāra by eyes flowing with a stream of great joy at the sight of you. The world, besieged by passions, love, hate, etc., is freed from enemies by you alone, creator of fearlessness, O Lord. You yourself declare the principles; you show the road; you yourself protect all. What do I ask from you, O Lord?

Kings, who have destroyed each others’ village-lands in various assaults and battles, have become friends and remain here in your assembly. This elephant has come to your assembly and, drawing with his trunk the lion’s paw, frequently scratches his temple. Now the buffalo rubs the neighing horse with his tongue frequently from affection, as if he were another buffalo. The deer here, with pricked-up ears and his tail waving from pleasure, his face bent, smells the tiger’s face with his nose. This young cat embraces the mouse running at his side, in front, and behind, as if it were his own off-spring. This serpent, fearless, coiled in a circle, sits like a friend in the vicinity of a large ichneumon. O Lord, whatever creatures have been eternal enemies, they remain here free from hostility. For this is your unequaled power.”

After making in these words a hymn of praise to the Lord of the World, the King withdrew according to custom, and sat down beside the King of the gods.