Uttarajjhayana 197.1.11_7

197.1.11_7

aha ūsieṇa chatteṇa | cāmarāhi ya sohie /
dasāracakkeṇa ya so | savvao parivārio ||11||

He sat under a raised umbrella, fanned by two chowries, and he was surrounded on all sides by a host of Dasârhas and by a complete army drawn up in rank and file, while the heavenly sound of musical instruments reached the sky. (11, 12)
With such pomp and splendour the hero of the Vrishnis started from his own palace. (13)
On his way he saw animals, kept in cages and enclosures, overcome by fear and looking miserable. (14)
Seeing them on the point of being killed for the sake of their flesh, and to be eaten afterwards, the great sage spoke to his charioteer thus: (15)
'Why are all these animals, which desire to be happy, kept in cages and enclosures?' (16)
Then the charioteer answered: 'Lucky are these animals because at thy wedding they will furnish food for many people.' (17)
Having heard these words, which announced the slaughter of many animals, the great sage, full of compassion and kindness to living beings, meditated thus: (18)
'If for my sake many living beings are killed, I shall not obtain happiness in the next world.' (19)
Then the famous man presented the charioteer with his pair of earrings, his neck-chain, and all his ornaments. (20)
When he had formed his resolution, the gods descended (from heaven), according to the established custom, to celebrate, with great pomp together with their retinue, the event of his renunciation. (21)
Surrounded by gods and men, and sitting on an excellent palankin, the Venerable One left Dvârakâ and ascended mount Raivataka (22)