Ratnaketuparivarta : Sanskrit and Tibetan texts
Abstract
[The contents of Chapters I - V I , X and XI are not analysed here as they are to be found in D u t t’s edition. The contents
of Chapters VII-IX of which the Sanskrit text is missing are only briefly indicated on the basis of the Tibetan. Chapters
XII and XIII are dealt with in greater detail.]
Chapter VII: At that time the Bodhisattva Sin tu rnam par phye b a’i blo gros
was seated in the assembly not far from the Tathagata sakyamuni and in front of the Tathagata Nor bu ’od ’bar ba dpal. For a moment he appeared as Brahman and then quickly transformed himself into various
figures such as Mara and Indra. The venerable Purna Maitrayanlputra asked the Tathagata Sakyamuni why the Bodhisattva sin tu rnam par phye b a’i blo gros had this capacity. The Tathagata sakyamuni explained the power and the aims of that Bodhisattva and also told him about the Bodhisattva
Me tog rgyas pa m t h a’ yas p a’i ’od zer in the Buddha-field Nor b u’i snin po in the period Sgra ba. The many Bodhisattvas assembled there from the Buddha-fields
of the ten directions acknowledged the great benefit they received from hearing these words. Chapter VIII: At that time the Tathagata Aksobhya encouraged the members of
that assembly consisting of Bodhisattvas, 3 a k r a , Brahman, the Guardians of the world and others, to protect the Dharma, proclaim the tradition of the Three Jewels and fulfil their earnest wishes.
Then the Mara Kusuma transforming himself into a beautiful woman appeared there and made an offering of flowers, fruits and
various treasures. All the Buddhas accepted his offerings and by remaining silent approved of his wish to fulfil the six perfections and become a Buddha. He acceded to the request of the Tathagata Ye ses tog and by his own power and diligence provided food, clothing, medicines and other amenities for all beings and pronounced the words of the magic spell winning thereby the
acclamation of the Bodhisattvas and other beings assembled there. He received a prophecy of his enlightenment from the Tathagata sakyamuni. The Bodhisattva Grub pa'i blo gros (Siddhimati) related how
he had made an earnest wish in the past in the presence of the Tathagata 'khor ba 'jig and how enlightenment was prophesied for
him after resolute and diligent .application towards this end throughout many countless births as a female. After the Tathagata
sakyamuni assured him of Buddhahood, many other Bodhisattvas, too, assuming female figures wished to obtain similar prophecies.
sakyamuni prophesied supreme enlightenment for every one of them. The other members of that assembly also received individual prophecies.