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 partial joy but for the sake of the law they rejoiced, for creation engulfed in the ocean of pain was now to obtain release.

The cries of beasts were hushed; all malevolent beings received a loving heart, and peace reigned on earth. Māra, the evil one, alone was grieved and rejoiced not.

The Nāga kings, earnestly desiring to show their reverence for the most excellent law, as they had paid honor to former Buddhas, now went to greet the Bodhisatta. They scattered before him mandāra flowers, rejoicing with heart-felt joy to pay their religious homage.

The royal father, pondering the meaning of these signs, was now full of joy and now sore distressed.

The queen mother, beholding her child and the commotion which his birth created, felt in her timorous heart the pangs of doubt.

Now the rewasthere was [sic] at that time in a grove near Lumbinī Asita, a rishi, leading the life of a hermit. He was a Brahman of dignified mien, famed nor only for wisdom and scholarship, but also for his skill in the interpretation of signs. And the king invited him to see the royal babe. The seer, beholding the prince, wept and sighed deeply. And when the king saw the tears of Asita he became alarmed and asked: "Why has the sight of my son caused thee grief and pain?"

But Asita's heart rejoiced, and, knowing the king's mind to be perplexed, he addressed him, saying:

"The king, like the moon when full, should feel great joy, for he has begotten a wondrously noble son.

"I do not worship Brahmā, but I worship this child; and the gods in the temples will descend from their places of honor to adore him.

"Banish all anxiety and doubt. The spiritual omens manifested indicate that the child now born will bring deliverance to the whole world. 9