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"Shrenik, all the seven daughters of king Chetak are satis (chaste and faithful women). Your queen Chelna is also a sati. To doubt her chastity is a figment of imagination."
In order to remove Shrenik's doubt Bhagavan Mahavir added
"Shrenik ! When you and Chelna were returning from the samavasarun you saw a Jinakalpi Shraman standing in meditation on the bank of a pond. Chelna's words- 'In this temperature what will be his condition?' were directed at him. You misunderstood this statement and thought Chelna to he infidel. In fact Chelna is a devoted Shremanopasikei (Jain) and a sati."
These words of Bhagavan Mahavir disillusioned Shrenik and the glow of the chastity of Chelna got enhanced.
The name of Chelna finds mention in the second chapter of the sixth section of Antakriddusha Sutra. Like king Shrenik, queen Chelna also has an important place in Jain literature.
9. MOTHER DEVANANDA The name of Devananda has been mentioned in the eighth chapter of the third section (Gajasukumal) of Antakriddusha Sutra. When Devaki goes to remove her doubt about the mother of six ascetics of the same appearance and age, it is mentioned that -- "jaha Deramandae."—just like Devananda went to behold Bhagavan Mahavir, Devaki went to behold Bhagavan Arishtanemi.
Devananda was a Brahmini (a Brahmin woman). The name of her husband was Rishabhadatta. They lived in Brahmin Kundagram.
Completing his life-span in the tenth Pranat Swarg (a dimension of gods) the being that was to be Bhagavan Mahavir descended into the womb of Devananda Brahmini. She saw the fourteen great dreams that the mothers of Tirthankars see. Her joy saw no bounds.
At the same time queen Trishla conceived a female child.
Shakrendra (king of gods) through his Avadhi-jnana saw that the being to be Bhagavan Mahavir has descended into the womb of Devananda. He realized that as a rule a Tirthankar is born in the kshatriva clan.
He at once ordered Harinaigameshi god to transfer the embryo and said—"Transfer the embryo in Devananda's into Trishla's and that in Trishla's womb to Devananda's womb.
Harinaigameshi god did accordingly and exchanged the embryos of Trishla and Devananda.
This activity was performed on the 82nd night after the night of conception. Bhagavan Mahavir remained in the womb of Devananda for 82 days. In this context Devananda was the mother of Bhagavan Mahavir.
Antakriddasha Mahima
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