釋迦譜 1.95

1.95

The Shoutai jing says: He sat beneath the jambu tree for thirty-eight days, contemplating the tree. Moving heaven and earth, it shook in six ways, radiating a great light that eclipsed Māra's palace. At that time, while asleep, Māra Pāpīyān saw thirty-two portents in a dream: his palace was plunged into darkness; his palace was covered in foul mud; he had entered an evil path; the pond waters were dried up; musical instruments were broken; the heads of the yakṣas and nightmare demons all fell to the ground; and the devas abandoned him and would not obey his commands. (In all there were thirty-two dreams; the text is lengthy and not recorded here.) Arising from the dream, terrified with his hair standing on end, he summoned a council of his ministers and hosts of soldiers, recounting what he had seen in the dream and asking by what expedient means they might go to subjugate him. He also summoned his thousand sons. Five hundred of his sons, led by Daoshi and others, had faith and delight in the Bodhisattva; the other five hundred sons, led by Emude and others, followed Māra's bidding. Bewildered and distraught, the Demon King spoke to his four daughters: the first named Desiring Consort, the second named Pleasing Him, the third named Delightful Sight, and the fourth named Accompanying Appearance. 'Go to him and bewilder his practice.' The daughters went to the Bodhisattva, speaking seductive words and striking poses—thirty-two alluring poses: twitching their lips, squinting their eyes and gazing delicately, revealing their thighs and legs, baring their arms, and mimicking the cries of wild ducks, geese, mandarin ducks, and plaintive luan birds. (In all there were forty-two alluring postures; the text is lengthy and not recorded here.) Māra's daughters were well-versed in the arts of feminine illusion and bewilderment, and said to themselves: 'We are in the prime of our youth, and among heavenly maidens none surpasses us in beauty. We wish to serve you morning and night, attending at your side.' The Bodhisattva replied: 'You have past merit, which brought you heavenly bodies; yet though your forms are fair, your minds are not upright. Bringing leather bags full of foulness, why have you come? Away with you; I have no use for you.' The Demon King's daughters were transformed into old crones, unable to restore themselves, and returned at once to Māra's abode.