法苑珠林 5.20

5.20

According to the *New Vibhāṣā-śāstra*, when the devas are about to reach the end of life, two kinds of five signs of decay first appear: first, minor; second, major. What are the five minor signs of decay? First, as the devas move about, five musical sounds issue from their bodily adornments, surpassing what skilled musicians can achieve; when approaching the end of life, these sounds no longer arise. Some say disagreeable sounds issue instead. Second, the bodily radiance of the devas is brilliant, illuminating day and night, and their bodies cast no shadow; when approaching the end of life, their bodily radiance becomes dim and faint. Some say it is extinguished completely, and a bodily shadow then appears. Third, the skin and bodies of the devas are delicate and smooth, so that when bathing in fragrant pools, as soon as they emerge from the water, water does not cling to their bodies, like lotus leaves; when approaching the end of life, water clings to their bodies. Fourth, the various sense-spheres of the devas are all exquisite, sweeping along their sense faculties like a whirling wheel of fire without pausing even briefly; when approaching the end of life, they cling exclusively to a single sense-sphere, unable to abandon it for a long time. Fifth, the physical strength of the devas is robust and their eyes never blink; when approaching the end of life, their physical strength becomes deficient and weak, and their eyes blink frequently. What are the five major signs of decay? First, their clothing, formerly clean, now becomes soiled. Second, their floral crowns, formerly flourishing, now wither. Third, sweat suddenly flows from both armpits. Fourth, their bodies suddenly produce a foul odor. Fifth, they take no pleasure in staying in their original seats. After the previous five signs of decay appear, they may perhaps be averted. At that time, because the five minor signs of decay appeared, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, knew that the major signs of decay would soon appear. Terror arose in his heart, and he thought: 'Who can save me from such decay and distress? I must take refuge.' He then understood on his own: 'Except for the Buddha, the World-Honoured One, none can rescue me.' He immediately went to the Buddha's place to plead for mercy and seek rescue. The Buddha preached the Dharma for him, and he was able to see the truth, causing those signs of decay to be extinguished all at once. Therefore, before the Buddha, leaping with joy, he spoke affectionate words and uttered this gāthā: