________________
Non-Violence : A Way of Life he would serve as the light in the soul. Thus, it was prophesied that a leader of the masses, one possessing many virtues, would be born to the queen. His name would be famous in all the nine continents.
At that time farmers went to King Siddhartha and said, "We do not know why, but the fertility of the land has increased."
Cowherds went and told the queen, “A miracle ! Cows give more milk. More grass has grown in pastures."
Forest-dwellers said, “The mango-trees are the same but, they are abound in the yield of mangoes. Plants are bending down with the luxuriance of flowers and trees with the abundance of fruits."
Citizens said, “This is a prosperous year. The occasions of mourning have been few. Pre-mature deaths haven't occurred. We experience more and more a new impulse of joy and vitality."
Hearing this, King Siddhartha said, "If the forecast of the astrologers comes true, a great soul will make himself mainfest in the world. My heart is also stirred with delight, I don't know why."
Queen Trishaladevi said, "My mind is also stirred with joy. Shall we name the child Vardhaman ?" The word Vardhaman itself suggests an increase in the quantity of the good in life.
The great soul now in the mother's womb thought, "My stirrings give indeed great pain to my mother. I shouldn't be a cause of it.” Thinking thus, the soul in the womb became stable. It stopped stirring. Mother Trishala's pain in the womb
107
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org