1. Kitradhvaga asked Akshayamati the following question: For
what reason, son of Gina, is Avalokitesvara (so) called?
2. And Akshayamati, that ocean of profound insight, after
considering how the matter stood, spoke to Kitradhvaga: Listen to
the conduct of Avalokitesvara.
3. Hear from my indication how for numerous, inconceivable Æons he
has accomplished his vote under many thousand kotis of
Buddhas.
4. Hearing, seeing, regularly and constantly thinking will
infallibly destroy all suffering, (mundane) existence, and grief of
living beings here on earth.
5. If one be thrown into a pit of fire, by a wicked enemy with the
object of killing him, he has but to think of Avalokitesvara, and
the fire shall be quenched as if sprinkled with water.
6. If one happens to fall into the dreadful ocean, the abode of
Nagas, marine monsters, and demons, he has but to think of
Avalokitesvara, and he shall never sink down in the king of
waters.
7. If a man happens to be hurled down from the brink of the Meru,
by some wicked person with the object of killing him, he has but to
think of Avalokitesvara, and he shall, sunlike, stand firm in the
sky.
8. If rocks of thunderstone and thunderbolts are thrown at a man's
head to kill him, he has but to think of Avalokitesvara, and they
shall not be able to hurt one hair of the body.
9. If a man be surrounded by a host of enemies armed with swords,
who have the intention of killing him, he has but to think of
Avalokitesvara, and they shall instantaneously become
kind-hearted.
10. If a man, delivered to the power of the executioners, is
already standing at the place of execution, he has but to think of
Avalokitesvara, and their swords shall go to pieces.
11. If a person happens to be fettered in shackles of wood or iron,
he has but to think of Avalokitesvara, and the bonds shall be
speedily loosened.
12. Mighty spells, witchcraft, herbs, ghosts, and spectres,
pernicious to life, revert thither whence they come, when one
thinks of Avalokitesvara.
13. If a man is surrounded by goblins, Nâgas, demons, ghosts, or
giants, who are in the habit of taking away bodily vigour, he has
but to think of Avalokitesvara, and they shall not be able to hurt
one hair of his body.
14. If a man is surrounded by fearful beasts with .sharp teeth and
claws, he has but to think of Avalokitesvara, and they shall
quickly fly in all directions.
15. If a man is surrounded by snakes malicious and frightful on
account of the flames and fires (they emit), be has but to think of
Avalokitesvara, and they shall quickly lose their poison.
16. If a heavy thunderbolt shoots from a cloud pregnant with
lightning and thunder, one has but to think of Avalokitesvara, and
the fire of heaven shall quickly, instantaneously be
quenched.
17. He (Avalokitesvara) with his powerful knowledge beholds all
creatures who are beset with many hundreds of troubles and
afflicted by many sorrows, and thereby is a saviour in the world,
including the gods.
18. As he is thoroughly practised in the power of magic, and
possessed of vast knowledge and skilfulness, he shows himself' in
all directions and in all regions of the world.
19. Birth, decrepitude, and disease will come to an end for those
who are in the wretched states of existence, in hell, in brute
creation, in the kingdom of Yama, for all beings (in
general).
[Then Akshayamati in the joy of his heart uttered the following
stanzas:]
20. O thou whose eyes are clear, whose eyes are kind, distinguished
by wisdom and knowledge, whose eyes are full of pity and
benevolence; thou so lovely by thy beautiful face and beautiful
eyes!
