經律異相 1.17

1.17

The Heavenly King of the north is named Vaiśravaṇa; he resides in three cities: the first is called Bhīṣaṇa, the second is called Devakānta, and the third is called Samāgamana. The bodies of the four kings are all half a yojana tall; their garments are one yojana long, half a yojana wide, and weigh two fen. The lifespan of the gods is five hundred celestial years, with few exceeding and many falling short. Fifty human years make one day and one night in this heaven; thirty such days make a month, and twelve months make a year (five hundred celestial years equal ninety thousand human years). They eat pure morsel food, and their bathing and clothing constitute fine, smooth food. Men take wives and women take husbands, engaging in sexual intercourse just as in the human world. Due to past wholesome karma of the three actions, they are now born as gods, spontaneously appearing by transformation upon the laps of gods, in size like a two-year-old human (another record says: 'Boys sit upon the father's lap, girls sit upon the mother's lap'). Not long after birth, the child spontaneously feels hunger; exquisite vessels of the seven treasures hold food of a hundred flavours. If the child has much merit, the food is naturally white; if of middling merit, the food is naturally blue; if of little merit, the food is naturally red. When the child has digested the food, if thirsty afterwards, the ambrosia in precious vessels matches the colour of the food; drinking it without retaining, it is like butter cast into fire. When their bodies grow up, they equal the gods, enter ponds to bathe, and approach fragrant trees whose branches bend down. They take fragrance to smear on their bodies, and take garments and ornaments. Garlands, precious vessels, fruits, and musical instruments each come forth from trees; they go to them everywhere, taking as they wish (the *Loutan jing* states similarly with minor variations; the extensive text is omitted here). Entering gardens and groves, countless heavenly maidens play drums, music, strings, and songs, laughing and speaking to one another. Generating deep attachment, looking west they forget the east. Amid their play and pleasure, they forget what they had remembered and known at birth, having obtained birth in heaven through the wholesome karma of prior lives (the *Loutan jing* is roughly the same). The ponds are pure and clear, with blooming flowers and luxuriant fruits. Their cities have sevenfold walls, all six thousand yojanas wide; the balustrades, nets, palace walls, and rows of trees are all sevenfold. King Vaiśravaṇa constantly has five great spirits: the first is named Rajalu, the second Daṇḍara, the third Himavanta, the fourth Tigira, and the fifth Suviloma, who constantly attend at his side. There are three purification days in each half-month: the eighth, fourteenth, and fifteenth days. On the eighth day, the Four Heavenly Kings always order their messengers: 'Inspect the world and observe whether the people are filial to their parents, respectful to śramaṇas, brāhmaṇas, and elders, and whether they uphold the precepts and practice generosity or not.' The messengers obey the command and fully report the good and the bad; hearing of evil, the kings are displeased, and hearing of good, they are glad. On the fourteenth day, the four kings always dispatch their crown princes to inspect the realm. On the fifteenth day, the four kings personally travel and inspect. Thereafter, they go to the Sudharmā hall to report fully to Śakra. Hearing of evil, he grieves; hearing of good, he rejoices, uttering verses praising those who uphold the precepts as walking together with him (from fascicle 20 of the *Dīrghāgama*, and also from the *Da zhidu lun* and the *Loutan jing*).