Part 13: Episode of Puṣpa

The Lord made distinct footprints marked with the wheel, et cetera, an ornament of the earth, in the fine, wet clay on the Gaṅgā’s bank. A man, named Puṣpa, who knew body-marks and signs saw them and thought: “Some Cakravartin has gone alone. His kingdom has not yet been obtained or he has been captured by some one by a trick. I think he goes away now and I shall serve him if he wishes an attendant. If he is served in this state, surely he will give rewards. For the opportunity of service to one entitled to be served is won only by merit,”

With this idea he followed the track to the hamlet Sthūṇāka and saw the Lord in statuesque posture under an aśoka tree. His breast was marked by a śrīvatsa; his head was marked by an excrescence,^[1] his hands were marked by the wheel, et cetera; his arms resembled large serpents; his navel had a hole deep as a conch shell—so he saw the Lord’s superior marks. Puṣpa reflected: “Just as he is shown to be a superior person by the marks on his feet, so he is indicated to be a cakrin by the others. With these marks, I am astonished that he is a mendicant. Alas for my work in the sciences! Alas for my putting hope in him! It seems that the works on sciences are prepared by the unlearned only to deceive every one or for their own interest. For I, with hope inspired by their words, have been made to run uselessly, like a deer in a desert for the water of a mirage.” With these reflections Puṣpa felt deep despair in his heart.

Just then Śakra thought, “How does the Lord wander?” By the eye of clairvoyance he saw the Master in Sthūṇāka and the astrologer Puṣpa traducing the śāstras from despair. Quickly approaching, lndra paid homage with great magnificence to the Lord Jina in statuesque posture, while Puṣpa looked on.

Śakra said to Puṣpa: “Why do you blame the śāstras and their authors? For indeed they say nothing false. For you know the outer signs only; but there are inner signs. The Master’s flesh and blood are as white as milk, free from odor. The breath of his lotus-mouth resembles the fragrance of a lotus; the Lord’s body is healthy, free from dirt and perspiration. For this man is lord of the three worlds, a cakrin of religion, benefactor of the world, bestower of fearlessness on all, the Master Vīra, son of Siddhārtha. Even the sixty-four Indras are the Master’s footmen. The cakrins from whom you hope a reward are of little importance. After giving gifts for a year, wishing to cross the ocean of existence, his kingdom abandoned, and having become a mendicant, he wanders thus, tireless. The śāstras agree certainly. Do not despair in the least. I shall grant your wish. The sight of the Master is not in vain.”

With these words, the lord of the gods gave him his wish, bowed to the Lord of the World, and returned to his proper place.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

This occurs on statues of the Tīrthaṅkaras, though it is the exception rather than the rule.