Buddha-carita, or Life of Buddha by Ven. Aśvaghoṣa
An English translation of this famous life of the Buddha, one of the great pieces of Sanskrit literature, with additions to help complete the text.
An English translation of this famous life of the Buddha, one of the great pieces of Sanskrit literature, with additions to help complete the text.
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<strong>Buddha</strong>-<strong>carita</strong>, <strong>or</strong> <strong>Life</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Buddha</strong> - 23<br />
earnestly in all kinds <strong>of</strong> ways, as if he were his son, to listen to the<br />
sage’s w<strong>or</strong>ds and ponder over them.<br />
87. The monarch also, being well-pleased at the birth <strong>of</strong> a son, having<br />
thrown <strong>of</strong>f all those bonds called w<strong>or</strong>ldly objects, caused his son to go<br />
through the usual birth-ceremonies in a manner w<strong>or</strong>thy <strong>of</strong> the family.<br />
88. When ten days were fulfilled after his son’s birth, with his<br />
thoughts kept under restraint, and filled with excessive joy, he <strong>of</strong>fered<br />
f<strong>or</strong> his son most elab<strong>or</strong>ate sacrifices to the gods with muttered<br />
prayers, oblations, and all kinds <strong>of</strong> auspicious ceremonies.<br />
89. And he himself gave to the Brāhmans f<strong>or</strong> his son’s welfare cows<br />
full <strong>of</strong> milk, with no traces <strong>of</strong> infirmity, golden-h<strong>or</strong>ned and with<br />
strong healthy calves, to the full number <strong>of</strong> a hundred thousand.<br />
90. Then he, with his soul under strict restraint, having perf<strong>or</strong>med all<br />
kinds <strong>of</strong> ceremonies which rejoiced his heart, on a f<strong>or</strong>tunate day, in<br />
an auspicious moment, gladly determined to enter his city.<br />
91. Then the queen with her babe having w<strong>or</strong>shipped the gods f<strong>or</strong><br />
good f<strong>or</strong>tune, occupied a costly palanquin made <strong>of</strong> elephants’ tusks,<br />
filled with all kinds <strong>of</strong> white flowers, and blazing with gems.<br />
92. Having made his wife with her child enter first into the city,<br />
accompanied <strong>by</strong> the aged attendants, the king himself also advanced,<br />
saluted <strong>by</strong> the hosts <strong>of</strong> the citizens, as Indra entering heaven, saluted<br />
<strong>by</strong> the imm<strong>or</strong>tals.
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