Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c13.s3.14

c13.s3.14

garden : "Now between the two towns (Kapilavastu and Devadaha) there is an auspicious grove of śāla trees belonging to the people of both cities, and called Lumbinī grove. At that time from the roots to the topmost branches swarms of five-coloured bees, and flocks of birds of different kinds, roamed, warbling sweetly. The whole of Lumbinī Grove was like a wood of variegated creepers, or the well-decorated banqueting hall of some mighty king. The Queen beholding it was filled with the desire of disporting herself in the śāla grove (sālavanakīlaṃ kilitu-kāmatā) ; and the attendants entered the wood with the Queen. When she came to the root of an auspicious śāla tree, she wanted to take hold of a branch of it. The branch, bending down, like a reed heated by steam, approached within reach of her hand. Stretching out her hand she took hold of the branch, and then her pains came upon her."