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RITUALS
DO2-Emblems, Dreams, Puja Rituals
At the appropriate time, as the soul of Bhagawan Mahävir entered the womb of mother Trishalä, that night, Queen Trishalä was fortunate to visualize fourteen illustrious, beautiful, lucky, and auspicious, dreams. After witnessing these dreams, Trishalä felt exhilarated and with a heart incorporated with happiness, she rose from her couch and went to her husband. Calm and composed, joining the palms of her hands, she laid the folded hands on her head and narrated the dreams to him. After hearing about these auspicious dreams, King Siddhartha gathered several scholars to analyze the significance of these dreams. The fourteen dreams (sixteen dreams per Digambar tradition) that the mothers of all Tirthankars see at the time of conception are explained in brief below and the order shown below is the usual sequence, while there have been exceptions in few cases. For example, Lord Mahavir's mother saw the dream of Lion first, while the Lord Rishabdev's mother saw the dream of Bull first followed by other dreams in that order. 01. Elephant (Gajwar)
It was big, tall and impetuous with four tusks. It was an auspicious elephant, and was endowed with all desirable marks of excellence. It was an enormous elephant possessing all lucky marks, with strong thighs and four mighty tusks who was whiter than an empty great cloud, a heap of pearls, and even an ocean of milk. The exceptional elephant had the capability to utter a fine deep sound like that of thunder from a large rain-cloud. This dream indicated that she would give birth to a child with exceptionally high character. The four tusks signified that he would guide the spiritual chariot with its four components: monks (Sädhus),
nuns (Sädhvis), laymen (Shrävaks), and laywomen (Shrävikäs). 02. Bull (Vrushabh)
The bull was tame, noble, grand, and shining as bright as an illuminating glory of light and was whiter than the petals of a white lotus. The bull also possessed a majestic and beautiful hump and was covered by fine, bright and soft hair on its body. The bull had a unique structure with several good qualities. Its body was firm, muscular, and well proportioned, its horn were large and sharply pointed and its teeth equal and shining. This dream indicated that her son would be highly religious and be a great spiritual teacher to all. He
would help cultivate the religion. 03. Lion (Sinh)
The lion was magnificent, handsome and playful, whiter than a heap of pearls. It had lovely forearms and a large well-rounded head. Its mouth was adorned with well-set teeth and with lovely lips that were soft and tender as a lotus. This beautiful lion had sharp and glowing eyes like lightening, broad and large thighs, full shoulders, and was adorned with mane of the finest quality of soft white hair. Its protruding tongue, well-poised claws, and long flapping tail truly brought out the beauty of the lion. The Queen saw this lion descending towards her from the sky and entering her mouth. This dream indicated that her son would be as powerful and strong as the lion. He would be
fearless, almighty, and capable of ruling the world. 04. Goddess of Wealth (Lakshmi Devi)
Goddess Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and power. On the top of Mount Himavat, she was seated on a lotus in the lotus lake, anointed with the water from the strong and large trunks of the guardian elephants. Her face resembled a full moon, and her body was adorned with ornaments made of pearls, emeralds, and jewels which were subservient to the loveliness of her face. She wore a garland of gold and a pair of earrings hung over her shoulders with dazzling beauty. Her lovely eyes were large and pure like water lily. Goddess Lakshmi, a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and power looked dazzling sitting gracefully amidst the lotus lake This dream indicated that her son would enjoy great wealth and splendor. He would be a Tirthankar, the supreme benefactor of all.
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Compendium of Jainism - 2015
