Page Text
________________
Jainism : The Cosmic Vision subsided, but her mental anxiety increased. She suspected, that something inauspicious would happen, she wept bitterly and swooned. The whole royal family now was full of sorrow. And, the great soul yet in the mother's womb thought, "What I did for their good, has caused grief to them." So it began its stirrings, the mother's joy knew no bounds. This happened when the soul had been in the womb for six and a half months. But the great soul was deeply moved at this and thought, “How wonderful is a mother's affection for her child ! The trouble the child causes actually gives her pleasure. In this samsara there is no virtue greater than dedication to one's mother. I am yet in the womb. Mother has not even seen my face. But how much affection she has for me !" At that time Bhagwan Mahavira made up his mind that he would not take initiation during the life-time of his parents. Thus the first lesson Bhagwan Mahavira taught was one should always have feelings of loyalty and of love towards one's mother.
It was on the eighth day of the dark half of the month of Chaitra that Bhagwan Rishabhadev was born. Under the constellation Hastottara at mid-night on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the month Chairta, Vardhaman was born.
56 celestial maidens joined the celebration of this birth. 64 Indras performed the infant's ablution with holy water. Even when he was a child, Mahavira was brave and knew no fear. When he was seven, Vardhaman was once playing with children the game of ambali-pipali among the branches of a tree. At that time, a snake coiled itself round the trunk of the tree. The children on the ground took to their heels. Those on the tree clung to the branches, trembling out of fear. But Vardhaman's mind knew no fear. He was not at all afraid of
108
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
| SR No. | 006587 |
| Book Title | Jainism The Cosmic Vision |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Kumarpal Desai |
| Publisher | UK Mahavir Foundation London |
| Publication Year | 2008 |
| Total Pages | 276 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 12 MB |