Buddhist Mahayana Texts (Heart Sutra, Diamond Sutra, Buddha-karita)

prosperity shone resplendently, as with a smile, from the joy of dwelling with such surpassingly excellent citizens.

5. With its festive arbors, its arched gateways and pinnacles, it was radiant with jewels in every dwelling; and unable to find any other rival in the world, it could only feel emulation with its own houses.

6. There the sun, even although he had retired, was unable to scorn the moon-like faces of its women which put the lotuses to shame, and as if from the access of passion, hurried towards the western ocean to enter the (cooling) water.

7. "Yonder Indra the king of the gods in Vedic mythology has been utterly annihilated by the people when they saw the glories acquired by the Sâkyas the clan of the Buddha,"—uttering this scoff, the city strove by its banners with gay-fluttering streamers to wipe away every mark of his existence.

8. After mocking the water-lilies even at night by the moonbeams which rest on its silver pavilions—by day it assumed the brightness of the lotuses through the sunbeams falling on its golden palaces.

9. A king, by name Suddhodana, of the kindred of the sun, anointed to stand at the head of earth's monarchs—ruling over the city, adorned it, as a bee inhabits a full-blown lotus.

10. The very best of kings with his train ever near him—intent on liberality yet devoid of pride—a sovereign, yet with an ever-equal eye thrown on all—of gentle nature and yet with wide-reaching majesty.