Monks, in that way the Bodhisattva taught this Dharma discourse to the large congregation of gods, instructed them, inspired them, delighted them, and caused them to be receptive. He then said to that assembly of fortunate gods:
“Friends, I will now proceed to Jambudvīpa. In the past when I practiced the conduct of a bodhisattva, I attracted sentient beings through the four activities of giving, pleasant speech, beneficial activity, and demonstrating consistency in speech and aims. But friends, I would be acting without gratitude, and it would be inappropriate, if I were not now to achieve unexcelled, perfect, and complete awakening.”
Hearing that, the gods of the Heaven of Joy wept and embraced the feet of the Bodhisattva. They said, “Virtuous One, without you, this Heaven of Joy will lose its splendor.”
To this, the Bodhisattva replied to the great retinue of gods, “The bodhisattva Maitreya will teach you the Dharma.” He then took the crown from his own head and placed it on the head of the bodhisattva Maitreya, saying, “You, virtuous one, shall awaken to perfect and complete buddhahood after me.”
Thus it was that the Bodhisattva enthroned the bodhisattva Maitreya in the Heaven of Joy. Then he again spoke to the great retinue of gods: “Friends, in what form should I enter the womb of a mother?”
Some replied, “As a human in the form of a young brahmin.” But other gods suggested, “In the form of Śakra, or Brahmā, or a great king, or Vaiśravaṇa, or a gandharva, or a kinnara, or a mahoraga, or Maheśvara, or the moon god, or the sun god, or a garuḍa.”
There was also one of the gods of the Brahmā realm present, who was called Ugratejā. Having been a sage in his previous life, he had taken rebirth among the gods, where his progress toward unexcelled and perfect awakening had become irreversible. He now spoke:
“The priests’ mantras and the treatises of the Vedas mention the proper form for a bodhisattva to take when descending into the womb of his mother. How should it be?
“In the glorious form of an excellent, great, Six-tusked elephant, covered with golden netting, Its head intensely red and very handsome, With glistening wet cheeks:
“Priests who are truly learned in the Vedas Will recognize such features, And will correctly foresee and announce The advent of one with the thirty-two marks.”
Monks, while the Bodhisattva was still residing in the sublime Heaven of Joy, he considered the time for his birth. At that time he manifested eight omens at the sublime residence of King Śuddhodana. What were these eight?
The residence was immaculate since all weeds, stumps, brambles, small pebbles, and gravel had been removed. It was well watered and very clean. It was undisturbed by wind and free from soot and dust. There were no mosquitoes, flies, bees, or snakes. It was covered with flowers, and the area became level, like the palm of a hand. This was the first omen.
Flocks of birds came to the palace from the Himālayan mountains, the king of mountain ranges. There were pattraguptas, parrots, mynas, cuckoos, swans, curlews, peacocks, wild geese, kunālas, nightingales, pheasants, and many others. The birds had beautiful and delightful wings in many colors and sang in melodious sounds. They perched upon the verandas, turrets, doorways, pavilions, and upper terraces of King Śuddhodana’s sublime residence. The birds were joyful and content, and they each sang happily. This was the second omen.
In all of King Śuddhodana’s delightful parks, woodlands, and gardens, the various trees blossomed and carried fruits of all seasons. This was the third omen.
In each of King Śuddhodana’s lotus ponds and reservoirs, there appeared lotuses the size of cartwheels, each with many trillions of petals. This was the fourth omen.
In that sublime residence of King Śuddhodana, all the provisions of butter, sesame oil, honey, raw sugar, and sugar-cane juice were never depleted and appeared to be full even though they were used abundantly. This was the fifth omen.
Inside the women’s quarters of King Śuddhodana’s excellent residence, all the instruments, such as the great kettledrums, the clay and wooden kettledrums, the flutes, lutes, reed pipes, three-stringed lutes, bells, and cymbals suddenly emitted wonderful music by themselves without being played. This was the sixth omen.
In that most excellent residence of King Śuddhodana, all the containers of different types of precious substances, such as gold, silver, jewels, pearls, beryl, shells, crystals, and corals, opened their lids and displayed their flawless perfection and abundance. This was the seventh omen.
A pure and immaculate light, much brighter than those of the sun and the moon, appeared and produced mental and physical pleasure. This was the eighth omen.
Queen Māyā bathed and applied perfumes to her body. She ornamented her arms with many bracelets and dressed in the softest and most beautiful garments. Joyful, happy, and rapturous, accompanied and encircled by ten thousand women, she went to where King Śuddhodana was seated comfortably in the music hall. She seated herself to his right side on the fine, precious throne draped with jeweled latticework. With a smiling and trusting face free from anger, she spoke to King Śuddhodana in these verses:
“Your Majesty, master of the earth, good lord, I pray that you hear me! Your Highness, please grant me a favor! Please listen and rejoice in your heart Concerning these wishes on which my mind is set.
“Lord, out of compassion for all beings, I will adopt the eight precepts, Which include disciplined and moral conduct, as well as fasting. Without harming any living creature and always with pure feelings, I will love others in the same way that I love myself.
“I have renounced any thievish thoughts and given up attachment and arrogance; Your Majesty, I will not act immorally. I will remain truthful, not slander others, and abandon harsh words; I will never use idle or nonvirtuous words.
“I renounce all anger, aggression, stupidity, and conceit; Renouncing all covetousness, I will be content with my own wealth. I will act properly and renounce flattery, hypocrisy, and envy; I will travel this path of the ten virtuous actions.
“I am joyfully engaged in strict disciplined conduct; So, sovereign master of men, do not act lustfully because of attraction to me. Your Majesty, may nonvirtue not arise in you for a long time; Please rejoice as I am nearby you in strict discipline.
“Your Highness, I beseech you, quick, say yes today! Inside the cool pavilion at the top of the palace where the swans roost, On a soft and sweetly scented bed scattered with flowers, I would like to live happily, always surrounded by my female friends.
“May no male servants, boys, Or even common women attend me. May I hear only pleasant and harmonious talk, And may there be nothing unpleasant to hear or see.
“I ask that you release all those held in prisons And that you endow the poor with wealth. For one week, for the sake of people’s happiness, Please give food, drink, clothing, chariots, palanquins, and horses.
“May each and every man, woman, and child in this palace Be free from quarreling and angry words. May their minds be full of mutual affection, And may they enjoy themselves together, like gods in pleasure groves.
“May no persecution, beating, or malicious threats take place. May there be no royal retribution or unjust punishment. Lord, please look upon all beings as if upon an only child; Think benevolently and lovingly with a composed mind.”
When the king heard this speech, he rejoiced and proclaimed: “Let everything you wish come to pass! Whatever you seek and wish, That request I shall grant you.”
The excellent king commanded his entourage, “Make the finest preparations in the upper quarters of the palace. Decorate them with beautiful flowers and use the best incense and perfume; Adorn them with parasols, banners, and rows of palms trees.
“Place on guard twenty thousand brave fighting men in armor, Brandishing swords, arrows, spears, and lances. Let them guard the quarters where the swans call out melodiously; Let them guard the queen with loving care so that she is not afraid.”
Bathed, perfumed, well dressed, and with her arms bejeweled, Surrounded by her female attendants, like a goddess, Accompanied by the pleasant sounds of thousands of cymbals, The queen ascended and rested like a divine maiden.
The legs of her bed were embellished with costly divine jewels; It was a pleasing bed bestrewn with flowers. There she unfastened her tiara of precious jewels, Like a goddess in the Miśraka Garden.
Monks, in the meantime the gods were gathering. There were the Four Great Kings; Śakra, lord of the gods; and the gods of Suyāma, Santuṣita, Sunirmita, and Paranirmitavaśavartin.
There were also Sārthavāha, the officer son of Māra; Brahmā, the lord of the Sahā World; the divine priest Brahmottara; the divine priest Subrahmā; and Prabhāvyūha, Ābhāsvara, Maheśvara, and the gods living in the pure realms of Niṣṭhāgata and the Highest Heaven, as well as many hundreds of thousands of others as well. They spoke to one another in these words:
“Friends, if we were to allow the Bodhisattva to depart alone, without expressing our gratitude to him, it would be inappropriate. Friends, who among us will have the courage to serve the Bodhisattva constantly and ceaselessly as he travels to the womb of his mother? Who will serve him as he is in the womb, when he is born, as he grows and plays as a young child? Who will serve him when he is in the female quarters watching the musical performances, and when he renounces his home and is practicing austerities? Who will serve him as he proceeds to the seat of awakening, tames the demons, attains perfect and complete awakening, and turns the wheel of the Dharma? Who will serve him until he demonstrates passing into great parinirvāṇa? Who can keep him company with a kind, affectionate, friendly, loving, and noble attitude?”
“Who among us has the courage to follow joyfully This being, one with such perfect appearance? Who would like to increase His merit, splendor, power, and renown?
“Whoever lives in these divine palaces And wishes to enjoy the divine pleasures Of the goddesses and the divine delights, Let him serve the one with a face like an immaculate moon.
“Whoever wishes to enjoy the charming Miśraka Garden, With the celestial palace, the birthplace of the gods, Full of golden-hued flowers, Let him serve the immaculate brilliant one.
“Whoever wishes to frolic together with goddesses In a splendid chariot, or in the pleasure groves Carpeted with petals of māndārava flowers, Let him serve this great being.
“Whoever aspires to be the ruler of the Heaven Free from Strife Or to be the lord of the Heaven of Joy, Someone worthy of worship by all beings, Let him serve the one of unlimited renown.
“Whoever desires to enjoy himself in a beautiful mansion In the Heaven of Delighting in Emanations And wants to enjoy all the mentally created illusions, Let him serve this one possessing excellent qualities.
“Whoever is a master over demons, but whose mind has no hatred, Who has attained complete mastery of all types of power, Who is the master of his senses and has surpassed others, Let him go with this benefactor.
“Similarly whoever wishes to pass beyond the desire realm And reside in the realm of Brahmā, Let him serve today the great being Resplendent with the four immeasurables.
“Whoever longs to take birth among humans In the vast realm of a supreme universal monarch, Let him serve the One with Abundant Merit, The Jewel Mine, the One Who Bestows Fearlessness and Bliss.
“Whoever wants to be a ruler or the son of a wealthy merchant, Rich and happy with great wealth, Surrounded by an army able to conquer enemies, Let him go with this benefactor.
“Whoever desires beauty, luxuries, and power, And wishes for fame, courage, and good qualities, And would like to speak agreeably with words that are heeded, Let him attend upon that learned lord who speaks with the voice of Brahmā.
“Whoever desires the divine and human enjoyments, Or all the happiness of the three realms of existence, Or the bliss of concentration and the happiness in solitude, Let him follow the Dharma Lord.
“Whoever yearns to abandon attachment and anger, And wants to clear away the darkness of the afflictions, Let him, with his mind calm, tranquil, and totally at peace, Quickly follow the One Who Has Tamed His Mind.
“Whoever wishes for the wisdom of learners, masters, and solitary buddhas, As well as the wisdom of omniscience, And hopes to roar like a lion through the ten powers, Let him follow the learned one with an ocean of qualities.
“Whoever desires to close the path to the lower realms, And open the path to the fortune of deathlessness, And travel on the eightfold path, Let him follow the One Who Has Completed All Paths.
“Whoever wishes to make offerings to the Thus-Gone One, And listen to the Dharma from that lord of compassion, And attain the qualities of the saṅgha, Let him follow this ocean of qualities.
“Whoever hopes to exhaust the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness, and death, And be free from the shackles of cyclic existence, And enjoy purity equal to limitless space, Let him follow this pure being.
“Whoever wishes to liberate himself as well as others, Desiring beauty that is pleasing to all, Supreme bodily marks, and the blossoming of qualities, Let him attend the learned one who is beautiful to behold.
“The learned one who wishes for Discipline, absorption, and knowledge, Who wants liberation that is profound, hard to see, and difficult to fathom, Let him quickly follow the king of physicians.
“Whoever desires many such qualities, And the happiness of existence as well as nirvāṇa, And wants to utterly perfect all qualities, Let him follow the learned one who masters disciplined conduct.”
When they heard these verses, the gods assembled. There were 84,000 gods from the Heaven of the Four Great Kings, 100,000 gods from the Heaven of the Thirty-Three, 100,000 gods from the Heaven Free from Strife, 100,000 gods from the Heaven of Joy, 100,000 gods from the Heaven of Delighting in Emanations, 100,000 gods from the Heaven of Making Use of Others’ Emanations, 60,000 gods from the realm of Māra who were born there because of their former virtuous actions, 68,000 gods from the realm of Brahmā, and many hundreds of thousands of gods assembled from all the realms up to the highest heaven.
Moreover, many hundreds of thousands of gods came together from the east, the south, the west, and the north. The foremost among the gods then spoke these verses to the great assembly of gods:
“Immortal lords, please listen to these words That express what is on our minds! We give up our sensual enjoyments and the perfect bliss of concentration In order to serve this sublime pure being.
“As he enters the womb, abides in the womb, and is born, We will make offerings to the Great Being, so worthy of worship. We shall protect the Sage, who is well guarded by merit; No one shall cause him any problems through a hostile mind.
“In songs and with the melodious sounds of cymbals, We will praise the qualities of the one with an ocean of qualities. Whoever hears this will engender the excellent mind of awakening And thus delight all gods and humans.
“We shall fill the king’s palace with flower petals And light the finest incense of black aloe. With that aroma, gods and humans will become very content; It will free them from sickness and fever and make them happy.
“We will fill the entire city of Kapilavastu With blossoms of māndārava flowers, beautiful jasmine, and hibiscus, In order to make offerings to him, Who appears due to virtuous activities.
“As long as he is in his mother’s womb, untainted by the three stains, And until he is born in order to bring an end to aging and death, We will serve him devotedly. Our wish is to make offerings to the great intelligent one.
“It will be a great blessing for gods and humans To witness the newborn taking seven steps, To see him received by Śakra and Brahmā, And to see the Pure Being bathed with perfumed water.
“While he behaves in accord with the world, And conquers the afflictions of desire inside the women’s quarters, And as he abandons his entire kingdom, Throughout that time, we will serve him devotedly.
“When he acquires grass and travels to the seat of awakening, And as he conquers the demons and gains awakening, And is entreated to turn the wheel of the Dharma by a billion Brahmā gods, Throughout that time, we will make vast offerings to the Well-Gone One.
“While he tames trillions of beings for the deathless state, Performing enlightened activity in the trichiliocosm, And until he passes into cool and peaceful nirvāṇa, For that long, none of us will abandon the greatly renowned sage.”
Monks, the goddesses who sport in the desire realms saw the perfection of the Bodhisattva’s bodily form and wondered, “What is she like, that maiden who will conceive this sublime and supreme pure being?”
Filled with curiosity, they gathered the finest and best flowers, incense, lamps, perfumes, garlands, ointments, powders, and cloths. Then, blessed as they were with supernatural powers from the ripening of merit and with divine bodies that are mentally created, they instantaneously disappeared from that celestial palace.
By means of their celestial powers, they traveled to Kapilavastu, that sublime city with a hundred thousand gardens, and arrived at King Śuddhodana’s residence, known as the Home of the Swans, the great mansion that resembled the palaces of the ruler of the gods.
The goddesses, wearing loose gowns, were well adorned by the splendor of their immaculate merit, and their arms and hands were full of divine ornaments. They saw Queen Māyā resting on her fine bed. They pointed her out to each other and, hovering in midsky, they sang these verses to one another:
“We goddesses who live in divine abodes Saw the attractive body of the Bodhisattva. At that time we considered, ‘What will the mother of the Bodhisattva be like?’
“Our curiosity aroused, we approached the royal palace With garlands of flowers in our hands. Bearing aloft flowers as well as ointments, We bowed with folded hands.
“We beauties with revealing garments Stretched our hands and pointed out Queen Māyā resting in her bed, Saying, ‘Oh! Behold the beauty of that human woman!’
“Because of pride we thought That goddesses had the most attractive bodies. Yet when we saw the body of the king’s wife, We saw that her splendor outshines our divine bodies.
“She will be the mother of the Supreme Being; Full of charms, she is like Rati herself. Just as a precious jewel rests within a fine vessel, This queen will be such a vessel for the god of gods.
“From the palms of her hands and the soles of her feet, Her attractive limbs surpass the divine. When you look at her, your eyes will not be sated, And she will only thrill your heart and mind more and more.
“Her attractive face and body Shine like the beautiful moon in the sky And blaze like the stainless fire of the sun. Her body shines with an excellent light.
“The complexion of this queen is resplendent, Shining like the purest gold. Her hair is soft, clean, and sweetly scented, Black like the excellent bee and arranged in braids.
“Her eyes are like lotus petals; Her teeth are like stars in the sky. Her waist is curved like a bow and her hips are ample; Her shoulders are raised and her joints are smooth.
“Her thighs and calves are like the trunk of an elephant, And her knees have a shapely form. The palms of her hands and the soles of her feet are smooth and red; Surely she can only be a goddess.”
Thus they examined her in many ways, Tossed flowers, and circumambulated her. Then, praising the renowned mother of the Victorious One, They instantly returned to the divine realm.
The four guardians of the four directions, Śakra, the gods free from strife, the gods enjoying emanations, Other gods, demigods, kumbhāṇḍas, rākṣasas, Kinnaras, and mahoragas spoke:
As Queen Māyā resided in the palace, They all assembled with their retinues. Holding bows and arrows, swords, spears, and weapons, They remained in the middle of the sky, keeping watch.
“Lion of Speech, your time is now! Generate compassion and kindness for the entire world; Lord of Men, Pure Being, demonstrate passing away. We pray that you grant the gift of the Dharma.”
Monks, as the Bodhisattva was about to pass away and take rebirth, many hundreds of thousands of bodhisattvas, who were bound by just one more birth, came to him from the east of the sacred abode of the Heaven of Joy. They approached the Bodhisattva in order to make offerings to him. Likewise many hundreds of thousands of bodhisattvas, all of them bound by just one more birth, came from all ten directions within the sacred abode of the Heaven of Joy, also approaching the Bodhisattva in order to make offerings to him.
There were eight million four hundred thousand goddesses from the Heaven of the Four Great Kings who approached the Bodhisattva, making offerings to him accompanied by music and singing. Similarly, eight million four hundred thousand goddesses from each of the realms of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three, the Heaven Free from Strife, the Heaven of Joy, the Heaven of Delighting in Emanations, and the Heaven of Making Use of Others’ Emanations approached the Bodhisattva. Singing songs and playing musical instruments of all types, they made offerings to the Bodhisattva.
At that time the Bodhisattva had taken his seat on the Glorious Essence lion throne inside his great palace. This throne had come about through all his merit and was visible to all the gods and nāgas. Then, as the bodhisattvas and many millions of gods, nāgas, and yakṣas assembled around him, he began his departure from the sublime realm of the Heaven of Joy.
Monks, as he started to move, the Bodhisattva’s body began to shine with a brilliant and dazzling light that surpassed any other celestial light. This unprecedented light illuminated all the vast and enormous realms of the great trichiliocosm. Even the darkest regions of the world, filled with negativity and obscurity, where even the renowned great power and magical ability of the sun and the moon are unable to produce light, colors, or heat, were bathed in light. In those realms, the unfortunate beings normally cannot even see their own hands. But even there, the dazzling light shone. Due to the light, the beings in those realms now recognized one another and remarked, “Listen, friends! Other beings have also been born here!”
Then the whole billionfold world system shook in six ways and exhibited eighteen great signs. It began to quiver, tremble, quake, move, make sound, and roar, each in three degrees of intensity. The world shook so violently that its center and edge, east and west, as well as north and south, all bounced around, so that when one side was up, the other was down.
At that point one could hear all sorts of pleasant and cheerful sounds. There were sounds that inspired love and made everyone serene. There were inviting and refreshing sounds that were impossible to describe or imitate, agreeable sounds that do not produce fear. At that moment there was not a single being anywhere that felt hostile, frightened, or anxious. At that moment even the light of the sun and moon and the splendor of the gods, such as Śakra, Brahmā, and the world protectors, was eclipsed. All beings who were living in the hells, along with those born as animals and all those in the realm of the lord of death, became instantaneously free from suffering and filled with every happiness. No being had any painful emotion, such as anger, delusion, envy, jealousy, pride, hypocrisy, arrogance, wrath, malice, or burning anguish. At that moment all sentient beings felt love for each other, wished each other well, and saw each other as parents and children.
Trillions of divine and human musical instruments played sweet sounds without even being touched or played. Hundreds of millions of gods lifted and carried that great mansion using their hands, shoulders, and the crowns of their heads. Hundreds of thousands of goddesses each sang songs. From all around they praised the Bodhisattva with the sounds of their tunes:
“You previously accumulated virtuous actions; You have appeared through virtue gathered over a long time. You have purified the mode of all phenomena; Today we bring forth a great offering to you.
“Lord, you cut off your own flesh, Kindheartedly exchanging it to release a bird. The fruition of that practice of giving Is that those in the world of pretas obtain food and drink.
“In the past, for billions of eons, You preserved unbroken, uncorrupted discipline. By the fruition of the practice of that discipline, Those in the lower realms without all the freedoms are purified.
“In the past, for billions of eons, You cultivated patience as the basis for attaining awakening. The result of your practice of patience Is that gods and humans develop loving minds.
“In the past, for billions of eons, You cultivated supreme and unwavering diligence. The result of your practice of diligence Is that your body is beautiful like Mount Meru.
“In the past, for billions of eons, You trained in concentration to purify the afflictions. The result of your practice of concentration Is that beings are not harmed by afflictions.
“In the past, for billions of eons, You trained in knowledge that destroys the afflictions. The result of your practice of knowledge Is that you emit sublime and beautiful light.
“With the armor of compassion, you have destroyed the afflictions And developed great compassion for all beings. You have attained perfect delight and excellent equanimity; Well-Gone One, Great Being, homage be to you!
“You are exalted by the splendor of the light of the lamp of knowledge And have cleared all darkness of delusion. Homage to you, Able One Who Shows the Path— The leader, the eye in the trichiliocosm.
“Skilled in the higher knowledge of the bases of miraculous powers, You see the truth and have trained in the sacred meaning. Having crossed over, you liberate others; Homage to you, the Well-Gone One Who Liberates.
“Skilled in means and higher knowledge, You show a passing away that is devoid of death and rebirth. Although you act harmoniously in accord with worldly law, You are in no way attracted to the world.
“Inconceivably excellent gains come to anyone Who merely comes to hear or see you. So how about those who actually listen to the Dharma And develop faith and joy?
“The entire realm of the Heaven of Joy is gloomy, But the sun has risen in Jambudvīpa. You will awaken inconceivable trillions of creatures Who are asleep due to their afflictions.
“Today the palace will be filled with wonders: It will be crowded with trillions of deities; It will resound with the music played by divine maidens; In the king’s mansion, sweet music will be heard.
“The lady is endowed with supreme beauty, Nourished by the brilliance of her merit and virtuous actions. This perfect son of hers will outshine The three worlds with his splendor.
“The splendorous appearance of this perfect man Will henceforth prevent any greed and quarrels Among beings in this sublime palace. All shall be lovingly reverential.
“With the birth in the family of a universal monarch, The royal line will surely prosper. Likewise this city of Kapilavastu will become prosperous And replete with treasures.
“Hosts of yakṣas, rākṣasas, kumbhāṇḍas, guhyakas, Gods, and asuras, together with their leaders— All those who stand guard over the supreme man Will soon attain liberation.
“Guide, whatever merit accumulates As we praise you with respect and reverence, We dedicate it all to awakening. Best of Men, may we quickly become like you!”
Monks, in that way the Bodhisattva taught this Dharma discourse to the large congregation of gods, instructed them, inspired them, delighted them, and caused them to be receptive. He then said to that assembly of fortunate gods:
“Friends, I will now proceed to Jambudvīpa. In the past when I practiced the conduct of a bodhisattva, I attracted sentient beings through the four activities of giving, pleasant speech, beneficial activity, and demonstrating consistency in speech and aims. But friends, I would be acting without gratitude, and it would be inappropriate, if I were not now to achieve unexcelled, perfect, and complete awakening.”
Hearing that, the gods of the Heaven of Joy wept and embraced the feet of the Bodhisattva. They said, “Virtuous One, without you, this Heaven of Joy will lose its splendor.”
To this, the Bodhisattva replied to the great retinue of gods, “The bodhisattva Maitreya will teach you the Dharma.” He then took the crown from his own head and placed it on the head of the bodhisattva Maitreya, saying, “You, virtuous one, shall awaken to perfect and complete buddhahood after me.”
Thus it was that the Bodhisattva enthroned the bodhisattva Maitreya in the Heaven of Joy. Then he again spoke to the great retinue of gods: “Friends, in what form should I enter the womb of a mother?”
Some replied, “As a human in the form of a young brahmin.” But other gods suggested, “In the form of Śakra, or Brahmā, or a great king, or Vaiśravaṇa, or a gandharva, or a kinnara, or a mahoraga, or Maheśvara, or the moon god, or the sun god, or a garuḍa.”
There was also one of the gods of the Brahmā realm present, who was called Ugratejā. Having been a sage in his previous life, he had taken rebirth among the gods, where his progress toward unexcelled and perfect awakening had become irreversible. He now spoke:
“The priests’ mantras and the treatises of the Vedas mention the proper form for a bodhisattva to take when descending into the womb of his mother. How should it be?
“In the glorious form of an excellent, great, Six-tusked elephant, covered with golden netting, Its head intensely red and very handsome, With glistening wet cheeks:
“Priests who are truly learned in the Vedas Will recognize such features, And will correctly foresee and announce The advent of one with the thirty-two marks.”
Monks, while the Bodhisattva was still residing in the sublime Heaven of Joy, he considered the time for his birth. At that time he manifested eight omens at the sublime residence of King Śuddhodana. What were these eight?
The residence was immaculate since all weeds, stumps, brambles, small pebbles, and gravel had been removed. It was well watered and very clean. It was undisturbed by wind and free from soot and dust. There were no mosquitoes, flies, bees, or snakes. It was covered with flowers, and the area became level, like the palm of a hand. This was the first omen.
Flocks of birds came to the palace from the Himālayan mountains, the king of mountain ranges. There were pattraguptas, parrots, mynas, cuckoos, swans, curlews, peacocks, wild geese, kunālas, nightingales, pheasants, and many others. The birds had beautiful and delightful wings in many colors and sang in melodious sounds. They perched upon the verandas, turrets, doorways, pavilions, and upper terraces of King Śuddhodana’s sublime residence. The birds were joyful and content, and they each sang happily. This was the second omen.
In all of King Śuddhodana’s delightful parks, woodlands, and gardens, the various trees blossomed and carried fruits of all seasons. This was the third omen.
In each of King Śuddhodana’s lotus ponds and reservoirs, there appeared lotuses the size of cartwheels, each with many trillions of petals. This was the fourth omen.
In that sublime residence of King Śuddhodana, all the provisions of butter, sesame oil, honey, raw sugar, and sugar-cane juice were never depleted and appeared to be full even though they were used abundantly. This was the fifth omen.
Inside the women’s quarters of King Śuddhodana’s excellent residence, all the instruments, such as the great kettledrums, the clay and wooden kettledrums, the flutes, lutes, reed pipes, three-stringed lutes, bells, and cymbals suddenly emitted wonderful music by themselves without being played. This was the sixth omen.
In that most excellent residence of King Śuddhodana, all the containers of different types of precious substances, such as gold, silver, jewels, pearls, beryl, shells, crystals, and corals, opened their lids and displayed their flawless perfection and abundance. This was the seventh omen.
A pure and immaculate light, much brighter than those of the sun and the moon, appeared and produced mental and physical pleasure. This was the eighth omen.
Queen Māyā bathed and applied perfumes to her body. She ornamented her arms with many bracelets and dressed in the softest and most beautiful garments. Joyful, happy, and rapturous, accompanied and encircled by ten thousand women, she went to where King Śuddhodana was seated comfortably in the music hall. She seated herself to his right side on the fine, precious throne draped with jeweled latticework. With a smiling and trusting face free from anger, she spoke to King Śuddhodana in these verses:
“Your Majesty, master of the earth, good lord, I pray that you hear me! Your Highness, please grant me a favor! Please listen and rejoice in your heart Concerning these wishes on which my mind is set.
“Lord, out of compassion for all beings, I will adopt the eight precepts, Which include disciplined and moral conduct, as well as fasting. Without harming any living creature and always with pure feelings, I will love others in the same way that I love myself.
“I have renounced any thievish thoughts and given up attachment and arrogance; Your Majesty, I will not act immorally. I will remain truthful, not slander others, and abandon harsh words; I will never use idle or nonvirtuous words.
“I renounce all anger, aggression, stupidity, and conceit; Renouncing all covetousness, I will be content with my own wealth. I will act properly and renounce flattery, hypocrisy, and envy; I will travel this path of the ten virtuous actions.
“I am joyfully engaged in strict disciplined conduct; So, sovereign master of men, do not act lustfully because of attraction to me. Your Majesty, may nonvirtue not arise in you for a long time; Please rejoice as I am nearby you in strict discipline.
“Your Highness, I beseech you, quick, say yes today! Inside the cool pavilion at the top of the palace where the swans roost, On a soft and sweetly scented bed scattered with flowers, I would like to live happily, always surrounded by my female friends.
“May no male servants, boys, Or even common women attend me. May I hear only pleasant and harmonious talk, And may there be nothing unpleasant to hear or see.
“I ask that you release all those held in prisons And that you endow the poor with wealth. For one week, for the sake of people’s happiness, Please give food, drink, clothing, chariots, palanquins, and horses.
“May each and every man, woman, and child in this palace Be free from quarreling and angry words. May their minds be full of mutual affection, And may they enjoy themselves together, like gods in pleasure groves.
“May no persecution, beating, or malicious threats take place. May there be no royal retribution or unjust punishment. Lord, please look upon all beings as if upon an only child; Think benevolently and lovingly with a composed mind.”
When the king heard this speech, he rejoiced and proclaimed: “Let everything you wish come to pass! Whatever you seek and wish, That request I shall grant you.”
The excellent king commanded his entourage, “Make the finest preparations in the upper quarters of the palace. Decorate them with beautiful flowers and use the best incense and perfume; Adorn them with parasols, banners, and rows of palms trees.
“Place on guard twenty thousand brave fighting men in armor, Brandishing swords, arrows, spears, and lances. Let them guard the quarters where the swans call out melodiously; Let them guard the queen with loving care so that she is not afraid.”
Bathed, perfumed, well dressed, and with her arms bejeweled, Surrounded by her female attendants, like a goddess, Accompanied by the pleasant sounds of thousands of cymbals, The queen ascended and rested like a divine maiden.
The legs of her bed were embellished with costly divine jewels; It was a pleasing bed bestrewn with flowers. There she unfastened her tiara of precious jewels, Like a goddess in the Miśraka Garden.
Monks, in the meantime the gods were gathering. There were the Four Great Kings; Śakra, lord of the gods; and the gods of Suyāma, Santuṣita, Sunirmita, and Paranirmitavaśavartin.
There were also Sārthavāha, the officer son of Māra; Brahmā, the lord of the Sahā World; the divine priest Brahmottara; the divine priest Subrahmā; and Prabhāvyūha, Ābhāsvara, Maheśvara, and the gods living in the pure realms of Niṣṭhāgata and the Highest Heaven, as well as many hundreds of thousands of others as well. They spoke to one another in these words:
“Friends, if we were to allow the Bodhisattva to depart alone, without expressing our gratitude to him, it would be inappropriate. Friends, who among us will have the courage to serve the Bodhisattva constantly and ceaselessly as he travels to the womb of his mother? Who will serve him as he is in the womb, when he is born, as he grows and plays as a young child? Who will serve him when he is in the female quarters watching the musical performances, and when he renounces his home and is practicing austerities? Who will serve him as he proceeds to the seat of awakening, tames the demons, attains perfect and complete awakening, and turns the wheel of the Dharma? Who will serve him until he demonstrates passing into great parinirvāṇa? Who can keep him company with a kind, affectionate, friendly, loving, and noble attitude?”
“Who among us has the courage to follow joyfully This being, one with such perfect appearance? Who would like to increase His merit, splendor, power, and renown?
“Whoever lives in these divine palaces And wishes to enjoy the divine pleasures Of the goddesses and the divine delights, Let him serve the one with a face like an immaculate moon.
“Whoever wishes to enjoy the charming Miśraka Garden, With the celestial palace, the birthplace of the gods, Full of golden-hued flowers, Let him serve the immaculate brilliant one.
“Whoever wishes to frolic together with goddesses In a splendid chariot, or in the pleasure groves Carpeted with petals of māndārava flowers, Let him serve this great being.
“Whoever aspires to be the ruler of the Heaven Free from Strife Or to be the lord of the Heaven of Joy, Someone worthy of worship by all beings, Let him serve the one of unlimited renown.
“Whoever desires to enjoy himself in a beautiful mansion In the Heaven of Delighting in Emanations And wants to enjoy all the mentally created illusions, Let him serve this one possessing excellent qualities.
“Whoever is a master over demons, but whose mind has no hatred, Who has attained complete mastery of all types of power, Who is the master of his senses and has surpassed others, Let him go with this benefactor.
“Similarly whoever wishes to pass beyond the desire realm And reside in the realm of Brahmā, Let him serve today the great being Resplendent with the four immeasurables.
“Whoever longs to take birth among humans In the vast realm of a supreme universal monarch, Let him serve the One with Abundant Merit, The Jewel Mine, the One Who Bestows Fearlessness and Bliss.
“Whoever wants to be a ruler or the son of a wealthy merchant, Rich and happy with great wealth, Surrounded by an army able to conquer enemies, Let him go with this benefactor.
“Whoever desires beauty, luxuries, and power, And wishes for fame, courage, and good qualities, And would like to speak agreeably with words that are heeded, Let him attend upon that learned lord who speaks with the voice of Brahmā.
“Whoever desires the divine and human enjoyments, Or all the happiness of the three realms of existence, Or the bliss of concentration and the happiness in solitude, Let him follow the Dharma Lord.
“Whoever yearns to abandon attachment and anger, And wants to clear away the darkness of the afflictions, Let him, with his mind calm, tranquil, and totally at peace, Quickly follow the One Who Has Tamed His Mind.
“Whoever wishes for the wisdom of learners, masters, and solitary buddhas, As well as the wisdom of omniscience, And hopes to roar like a lion through the ten powers, Let him follow the learned one with an ocean of qualities.
“Whoever desires to close the path to the lower realms, And open the path to the fortune of deathlessness, And travel on the eightfold path, Let him follow the One Who Has Completed All Paths.
“Whoever wishes to make offerings to the Thus-Gone One, And listen to the Dharma from that lord of compassion, And attain the qualities of the saṅgha, Let him follow this ocean of qualities.
“Whoever hopes to exhaust the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness, and death, And be free from the shackles of cyclic existence, And enjoy purity equal to limitless space, Let him follow this pure being.
“Whoever wishes to liberate himself as well as others, Desiring beauty that is pleasing to all, Supreme bodily marks, and the blossoming of qualities, Let him attend the learned one who is beautiful to behold.
“The learned one who wishes for Discipline, absorption, and knowledge, Who wants liberation that is profound, hard to see, and difficult to fathom, Let him quickly follow the king of physicians.
“Whoever desires many such qualities, And the happiness of existence as well as nirvāṇa, And wants to utterly perfect all qualities, Let him follow the learned one who masters disciplined conduct.”
When they heard these verses, the gods assembled. There were 84,000 gods from the Heaven of the Four Great Kings, 100,000 gods from the Heaven of the Thirty-Three, 100,000 gods from the Heaven Free from Strife, 100,000 gods from the Heaven of Joy, 100,000 gods from the Heaven of Delighting in Emanations, 100,000 gods from the Heaven of Making Use of Others’ Emanations, 60,000 gods from the realm of Māra who were born there because of their former virtuous actions, 68,000 gods from the realm of Brahmā, and many hundreds of thousands of gods assembled from all the realms up to the highest heaven.
Moreover, many hundreds of thousands of gods came together from the east, the south, the west, and the north. The foremost among the gods then spoke these verses to the great assembly of gods:
“Immortal lords, please listen to these words That express what is on our minds! We give up our sensual enjoyments and the perfect bliss of concentration In order to serve this sublime pure being.
“As he enters the womb, abides in the womb, and is born, We will make offerings to the Great Being, so worthy of worship. We shall protect the Sage, who is well guarded by merit; No one shall cause him any problems through a hostile mind.
“In songs and with the melodious sounds of cymbals, We will praise the qualities of the one with an ocean of qualities. Whoever hears this will engender the excellent mind of awakening And thus delight all gods and humans.
“We shall fill the king’s palace with flower petals And light the finest incense of black aloe. With that aroma, gods and humans will become very content; It will free them from sickness and fever and make them happy.
“We will fill the entire city of Kapilavastu With blossoms of māndārava flowers, beautiful jasmine, and hibiscus, In order to make offerings to him, Who appears due to virtuous activities.
“As long as he is in his mother’s womb, untainted by the three stains, And until he is born in order to bring an end to aging and death, We will serve him devotedly. Our wish is to make offerings to the great intelligent one.
“It will be a great blessing for gods and humans To witness the newborn taking seven steps, To see him received by Śakra and Brahmā, And to see the Pure Being bathed with perfumed water.
“While he behaves in accord with the world, And conquers the afflictions of desire inside the women’s quarters, And as he abandons his entire kingdom, Throughout that time, we will serve him devotedly.
“When he acquires grass and travels to the seat of awakening, And as he conquers the demons and gains awakening, And is entreated to turn the wheel of the Dharma by a billion Brahmā gods, Throughout that time, we will make vast offerings to the Well-Gone One.
“While he tames trillions of beings for the deathless state, Performing enlightened activity in the trichiliocosm, And until he passes into cool and peaceful nirvāṇa, For that long, none of us will abandon the greatly renowned sage.”
Monks, the goddesses who sport in the desire realms saw the perfection of the Bodhisattva’s bodily form and wondered, “What is she like, that maiden who will conceive this sublime and supreme pure being?”
Filled with curiosity, they gathered the finest and best flowers, incense, lamps, perfumes, garlands, ointments, powders, and cloths. Then, blessed as they were with supernatural powers from the ripening of merit and with divine bodies that are mentally created, they instantaneously disappeared from that celestial palace.
By means of their celestial powers, they traveled to Kapilavastu, that sublime city with a hundred thousand gardens, and arrived at King Śuddhodana’s residence, known as the Home of the Swans, the great mansion that resembled the palaces of the ruler of the gods.
The goddesses, wearing loose gowns, were well adorned by the splendor of their immaculate merit, and their arms and hands were full of divine ornaments. They saw Queen Māyā resting on her fine bed. They pointed her out to each other and, hovering in midsky, they sang these verses to one another:
“We goddesses who live in divine abodes Saw the attractive body of the Bodhisattva. At that time we considered, ‘What will the mother of the Bodhisattva be like?’
“Our curiosity aroused, we approached the royal palace With garlands of flowers in our hands. Bearing aloft flowers as well as ointments, We bowed with folded hands.
“We beauties with revealing garments Stretched our hands and pointed out Queen Māyā resting in her bed, Saying, ‘Oh! Behold the beauty of that human woman!’
“Because of pride we thought That goddesses had the most attractive bodies. Yet when we saw the body of the king’s wife, We saw that her splendor outshines our divine bodies.
“She will be the mother of the Supreme Being; Full of charms, she is like Rati herself. Just as a precious jewel rests within a fine vessel, This queen will be such a vessel for the god of gods.
“From the palms of her hands and the soles of her feet, Her attractive limbs surpass the divine. When you look at her, your eyes will not be sated, And she will only thrill your heart and mind more and more.
“Her attractive face and body Shine like the beautiful moon in the sky And blaze like the stainless fire of the sun. Her body shines with an excellent light.
“The complexion of this queen is resplendent, Shining like the purest gold. Her hair is soft, clean, and sweetly scented, Black like the excellent bee and arranged in braids.
“Her eyes are like lotus petals; Her teeth are like stars in the sky. Her waist is curved like a bow and her hips are ample; Her shoulders are raised and her joints are smooth.
“Her thighs and calves are like the trunk of an elephant, And her knees have a shapely form. The palms of her hands and the soles of her feet are smooth and red; Surely she can only be a goddess.”
Thus they examined her in many ways, Tossed flowers, and circumambulated her. Then, praising the renowned mother of the Victorious One, They instantly returned to the divine realm.
The four guardians of the four directions, Śakra, the gods free from strife, the gods enjoying emanations, Other gods, demigods, kumbhāṇḍas, rākṣasas, Kinnaras, and mahoragas spoke:
As Queen Māyā resided in the palace, They all assembled with their retinues. Holding bows and arrows, swords, spears, and weapons, They remained in the middle of the sky, keeping watch.
“Lion of Speech, your time is now! Generate compassion and kindness for the entire world; Lord of Men, Pure Being, demonstrate passing away. We pray that you grant the gift of the Dharma.”
Monks, as the Bodhisattva was about to pass away and take rebirth, many hundreds of thousands of bodhisattvas, who were bound by just one more birth, came to him from the east of the sacred abode of the Heaven of Joy. They approached the Bodhisattva in order to make offerings to him. Likewise many hundreds of thousands of bodhisattvas, all of them bound by just one more birth, came from all ten directions within the sacred abode of the Heaven of Joy, also approaching the Bodhisattva in order to make offerings to him.
There were eight million four hundred thousand goddesses from the Heaven of the Four Great Kings who approached the Bodhisattva, making offerings to him accompanied by music and singing. Similarly, eight million four hundred thousand goddesses from each of the realms of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three, the Heaven Free from Strife, the Heaven of Joy, the Heaven of Delighting in Emanations, and the Heaven of Making Use of Others’ Emanations approached the Bodhisattva. Singing songs and playing musical instruments of all types, they made offerings to the Bodhisattva.
At that time the Bodhisattva had taken his seat on the Glorious Essence lion throne inside his great palace. This throne had come about through all his merit and was visible to all the gods and nāgas. Then, as the bodhisattvas and many millions of gods, nāgas, and yakṣas assembled around him, he began his departure from the sublime realm of the Heaven of Joy.
Monks, as he started to move, the Bodhisattva’s body began to shine with a brilliant and dazzling light that surpassed any other celestial light. This unprecedented light illuminated all the vast and enormous realms of the great trichiliocosm. Even the darkest regions of the world, filled with negativity and obscurity, where even the renowned great power and magical ability of the sun and the moon are unable to produce light, colors, or heat, were bathed in light. In those realms, the unfortunate beings normally cannot even see their own hands. But even there, the dazzling light shone. Due to the light, the beings in those realms now recognized one another and remarked, “Listen, friends! Other beings have also been born here!”
Then the whole billionfold world system shook in six ways and exhibited eighteen great signs. It began to quiver, tremble, quake, move, make sound, and roar, each in three degrees of intensity. The world shook so violently that its center and edge, east and west, as well as north and south, all bounced around, so that when one side was up, the other was down.
At that point one could hear all sorts of pleasant and cheerful sounds. There were sounds that inspired love and made everyone serene. There were inviting and refreshing sounds that were impossible to describe or imitate, agreeable sounds that do not produce fear. At that moment there was not a single being anywhere that felt hostile, frightened, or anxious. At that moment even the light of the sun and moon and the splendor of the gods, such as Śakra, Brahmā, and the world protectors, was eclipsed. All beings who were living in the hells, along with those born as animals and all those in the realm of the lord of death, became instantaneously free from suffering and filled with every happiness. No being had any painful emotion, such as anger, delusion, envy, jealousy, pride, hypocrisy, arrogance, wrath, malice, or burning anguish. At that moment all sentient beings felt love for each other, wished each other well, and saw each other as parents and children.
Trillions of divine and human musical instruments played sweet sounds without even being touched or played. Hundreds of millions of gods lifted and carried that great mansion using their hands, shoulders, and the crowns of their heads. Hundreds of thousands of goddesses each sang songs. From all around they praised the Bodhisattva with the sounds of their tunes:
“You previously accumulated virtuous actions; You have appeared through virtue gathered over a long time. You have purified the mode of all phenomena; Today we bring forth a great offering to you.
“Lord, you cut off your own flesh, Kindheartedly exchanging it to release a bird. The fruition of that practice of giving Is that those in the world of pretas obtain food and drink.
“In the past, for billions of eons, You preserved unbroken, uncorrupted discipline. By the fruition of the practice of that discipline, Those in the lower realms without all the freedoms are purified.
“In the past, for billions of eons, You cultivated patience as the basis for attaining awakening. The result of your practice of patience Is that gods and humans develop loving minds.
“In the past, for billions of eons, You cultivated supreme and unwavering diligence. The result of your practice of diligence Is that your body is beautiful like Mount Meru.
“In the past, for billions of eons, You trained in concentration to purify the afflictions. The result of your practice of concentration Is that beings are not harmed by afflictions.
“In the past, for billions of eons, You trained in knowledge that destroys the afflictions. The result of your practice of knowledge Is that you emit sublime and beautiful light.
“With the armor of compassion, you have destroyed the afflictions And developed great compassion for all beings. You have attained perfect delight and excellent equanimity; Well-Gone One, Great Being, homage be to you!
“You are exalted by the splendor of the light of the lamp of knowledge And have cleared all darkness of delusion. Homage to you, Able One Who Shows the Path— The leader, the eye in the trichiliocosm.
“Skilled in the higher knowledge of the bases of miraculous powers, You see the truth and have trained in the sacred meaning. Having crossed over, you liberate others; Homage to you, the Well-Gone One Who Liberates.
“Skilled in means and higher knowledge, You show a passing away that is devoid of death and rebirth. Although you act harmoniously in accord with worldly law, You are in no way attracted to the world.
“Inconceivably excellent gains come to anyone Who merely comes to hear or see you. So how about those who actually listen to the Dharma And develop faith and joy?
“The entire realm of the Heaven of Joy is gloomy, But the sun has risen in Jambudvīpa. You will awaken inconceivable trillions of creatures Who are asleep due to their afflictions.
“Today the palace will be filled with wonders: It will be crowded with trillions of deities; It will resound with the music played by divine maidens; In the king’s mansion, sweet music will be heard.
“The lady is endowed with supreme beauty, Nourished by the brilliance of her merit and virtuous actions. This perfect son of hers will outshine The three worlds with his splendor.
“The splendorous appearance of this perfect man Will henceforth prevent any greed and quarrels Among beings in this sublime palace. All shall be lovingly reverential.
“With the birth in the family of a universal monarch, The royal line will surely prosper. Likewise this city of Kapilavastu will become prosperous And replete with treasures.
“Hosts of yakṣas, rākṣasas, kumbhāṇḍas, guhyakas, Gods, and asuras, together with their leaders— All those who stand guard over the supreme man Will soon attain liberation.
“Guide, whatever merit accumulates As we praise you with respect and reverence, We dedicate it all to awakening. Best of Men, may we quickly become like you!”
Sutraya