Page Text
________________
Welcoming the Epoch-Hero
By Praveen Rishi It was the year 1977. I was at the feet of my Master, Acharya Shri Anand Rishiji. He was rendering pages from the Agamas. In the Bhagavati Sutra, we reached the conversation where Indrabhuti Gautam asks Lord Mahavira, "Lord! If a being completes his life span while he is still in the mother's womb, then in which life-form is he born next?” Mahavira replied, "O beloved of the Gods! One who completes his life span while in the womb takes birth in either of the four life-forms - hellish, tiryanch (animal and plant species), human or celestial."
Gautam's question is significant. One who is born has to die. Based on one's actions in the present life, the next life-form is decided. Once the soul has completed this life, it enters the abode of death which leads into the next life-form. However when life is halted in the womb, then the being has not yet performed any voluntary actions! In that case, on what basis is his next life-form chosen or decided?
On the basis of this reasoning, Gautam persisted with his curiosity. He asked, "Lord! If the next birth takes place without previous actions, then the principle of cause and effect will be nullified. In such an instance, what is the basis for the next birth?” He received a reply from the Wise One, the essence of which is that when a being expires in the womb, his next life and life-span is decided on the basis of his mother's emotions, aura, and mental state at that time.
This opened a new line of thought that the mother is instrumental in the cosmic process of allotment to the next life-form and lifespan of the being in the womb. It posed a great challenge to traditional beliefs and religious views. It was a challenge to the dictum of appa katta vikatta' which means the soul is the doer and enjoyer of
| SR No. | 007032 |
| Book Title | Arham Pregnancy |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Pravin Rishi Upadhyay, Pratibha Jain |
| Publisher | Anand Tirth Kendriya Foundation |
| Publication Year | 2014 |
| Total Pages | 156 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 39 MB |