10. The gods decide to aeeornpany the Bodhisattva
In the meantime were gathered together the four Great Kings (see p. 76) and Cakra the king of the gods, and Suyama the gods son etc. etc., these and many others, hundreds and thousands of gods, speaking together as follows: "It were not becoming of us, o worthy ones, and would betoken ingratitude should we allow the Bodhisattva to depart alone and unattended. Who among us, o worthy ones, is able faithfully and continually to attend the Bodhisattva ? "
On hearing these words there gathered together eighty-four thousand gods (from the heaven) of the four Great Kings.... And moreover, hundreds and thousands of gods from the East, the South, the West and the North gathered together. And the highest gods sons among them spake unto that great company of gods in these verses: "Hearken, o rulers of the immortals, to these our words and consider which is our irrevocable decision. Forsaking riches, love and pleasure and the great happiness of meditation, we shall bind ourselves faithfully to this pure being." (44: 9, 13;46: 19;47:2).
Nearly the whole of the relief is taken up by a large hall or pendapa; only on the right is a building in the usual temple-form with a fine monster-head above the entrance, rampant lions at the corners and a roof in tiers; this is undoubtedly a palace of the gods. In the hall, the gods are sitting in two opposite groups, in consultation; the absence of a central figure plainly shews that the Bodhisattva is not present and that it is a party exclusively of gods. They are all in the dress of gods, without any special divine attribute, so that it is quite impossible to distinguish the different sorts mentioned in the text.