Jain Journal 1967 04

SR No.: 520006
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1967
Total Pages: 104
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 6 MB

Page 15

146
JAIN JOURNAL
own apartments, neither hasty nor trembling, but with the even gait of a royal swan, glad and happy.
Now from the moment when the venerable ascetic Mahavira was brought into Siddhartha's family, their wealth and their liberality and popularity increased daily; and on this account it was decided to name the child Vardhamana, the Increaser.
While still in the womb, the venerable ascetic Mahavira made the resolution not to pluck out his hair and leave the world during the lifetime of his parents.
During the remaining time of her pregnancy, the Kşatriyāni Trisala guarded herself from all sickness, fear and fatigue, by suitable food and clothing and pleasant diversions and occupation, frequently resting on soft couches, and thus bearing the child in comfort. And after the lapse of nine months and seven and a half days, in the middle of the night, when the moon was in conjunction with the asterism Uttaraphalguni, Trisala, perfectly healthy herself, gave birth to a perfectly healthy boy.
That night was an occasion of great rejoicing; the universe was resplendent with one light, as the gods and goddesses descended and ascended, and great was the noise and confusion of the assembly of gods. These gods--the Bhavanapati, the Vyantara, the Jyotişka and the Vaimānika—appeared to celebrate the feast of anointment (abhişeka) of the Tirthankara's birthday. Siddhartha proclaimed a ten days' festival in his city, with remission of taxes, alms-giving, and so forth. On the twelfth day there took place a royal banquet, and it was announced that the boy's name would be Vardhamana.
Besides this he is called Sramana, or Ascetic, because he is without love and without hate ; and because he stands fast in the midst of dangers and fears, and patiently bears hardships and calamities, and is indifferent to pleasure and pain ; obedient to a chosen discipline, he is called Mahavira, the Great Hero, by the gods.
Mahavira dwelt in Videla for thirty years, before his parents departed to the world of the gods ; and then only, with the permission of his elder brother and the great men of the kingdom, he fulfilled his vow. The Laukāntika gods appeared to him, saying: “Victory to thee, O Bull