Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v4.c17.47

v4.c17.47

fold¹ magnificent virtues, who knew no fear, (and) whose compassion beamed forth as the very moonlight— (V. 2) —again, who had won complete victory over death and the like, who had attained to the state where one neither decays nor dies; and who, even after having entered into *nirvāṇa*²—the state of utter calm and bliss, beyond fear and void of locality—, fulfils the desires of (all the beings in all the three) worlds! (V. 3) —Obeisance and praise (offered to him) will never turn fruitless from him, (they rather) bring abundant (and) great reward from him, and (even) a single flower offered to whom yields the fruit known as paradise (and even) final emancipation. (V. 4) Therefore it behoves the wise man, treading the noble path³ in this world, to show extreme reverence to the Tathāgatas who are exalted through their reputed excellences (and) have kindly feelings for humanity—have their heart melting, as it were, with compassion.⁴ (V. 5) Gods, being (time and again) harassed by troubles, can hardly aspire after victory; (let alone gods,) even Śiva had to undergo a curse whereby he became a horrid-⁵eyed one; Kṛṣṇa, too, though free of all bondage, fell a victim to death. Therefore the Sugatas, who are absolutely free from fear, excel (over all). (V. 6) The venerable sage Achala, even though he had achieved all which he aspired to (and had no further desire), out of gratitude built a cave-dwelling for the Master,⁶ which is proclaiming (so to say,) His teachings. (V. 7) Why should not a monument⁷ be raised by those possessing wealth, desirous of mundane happiness as also of liberation?—(such a charity should indeed be performed) far rather by Bodhisattvas (‘those beings who aspire after pure knowledge’) for the happiness of the world as also for (their own) final emancipation?⁸ (V. 8) A man continues to enjoy himself in paradise as long as his memory is green in the world. One