________________
CHAPTER ONE
like a tree with branches ; a very precious full pitcher like a depository of good fortune; a lotus-pool with large lotuses like another Lake Padma; an ocean with high waves wishing to ascend to the sky; a fine large aerial car like a younger brother of Pālaka"; a heap of jewels like all the wealth taken from the ocean; a smokeless fire like an imitation of Bhauma (Mars) Queen Visnu saw these fourteen great dreams, which indicate the birth of a Tirthakrt, entering her mouth.
On the twelfth day of the black half of Tapasya (the moon being) in Sravana, Queen Vişņu gave easy birth to a son, marked with a rhinoceros, gold color.
Birth-rites (42-62) Then came eight Dikkumāris, Bhogankarā and the others, living in the lower world, knowing (the event) from the shaking of their thrones. Bowing to the Tīrthakrt's mother with the words, “Do not be afraid,” they introduced themselves, made a whirlwind, cleared the ground for a yojana around the birth-house and stood, singing, not far from the Master's mother.
Then eight Dikkanyās, living in the upper world, belonging to the peaks of the garden Nandana, 10 Meghānkarā, et cetera, came, bowed to the queen, introduced themselves, made the sky cloudy, and sprinkled the ground around the birth-house with fragrant rain for the space of a yojana. They rained flowers, burned fair incense, and stood, singing the Arhat's virtues, not far from Queen Vişnu. Nandottarā, et cetera, goddesses from the east part of Rucaka; Samāhārā and the others from the south; Ila and others from the west; Alambusă and others from the north-eight of each came, bowed to the Arhat and his mother, introduced themselves properly, and stood in the east and other directions respectively, singing the Master's
• 38. Sakra's car. 10 45. Cf. Kirfel, p. 231 and I, pp. 105 ff.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
