Page:Karl Gjellerup - The Pilgrim Kamanita - 1911.djvu/162

 ings, he directed his attention to those other beings who, like himself, sat round about on floating lotus thrones. He soon perceived that those clad in red were male, those in white of the female sex, while of the figures wrapped in blue cloaks some, as it appeared to him, belonged to the one, some to the other, sex. But all, without exception, were in the fullest bloom of youth, and seemed to be of a most friendly disposition.

A neighbour in a blue cloak inspired him with particular confidence, so that the desire to begin a conversation awoke in his breast.

"I wonder whether it is permissible to question this blest one?" he thought. "I would so much like to know where I am."

To his great astonishment the reply came at once, without a sound, and without even the faintest movement of the blue-clad figure's lips.

"Thou art in Sukhavati, the abode of bliss."

Unconsciously Kamanita went on with his unspoken questioning.

"Thou wast here, most sacred one, when I opened my eyes, for my glance fell at once on thee. Didst thou awake at the same time as I, or hast thou been long here?"

"I have been here from time immemorial," answered the neighbour in blue, "and I would believe that I had been here from all eternity, if I hadn't so often seen a lotus rose open and a new being appear—and but for the perfume of the Coral Tree."

"What is there about that particular perfume?"

"That thou wilt soon discover for thyself. The Coral Tree is the greatest wonder of this Paradise."

The music of the heavenly genii, which seemed quite naturally to accompany this soundless conversation,