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In the southern part of Jambūdvipa, in Bharatavarşa, at a village named Da kşiņa - Brāhmaṇa - Kundapura, Maha - vira descended to enter into the womb of the Brāhmana woman Devānandā of the Jalandhara line, the wife of one R$habhadatta of the Kodāla line. For a moment, all the living beings were liberated from their pa inful experiences. The three worlds witnessed joy and light.
At that time, Bhagavān Mahāvira was the master of three types of knowledge, mati, śruta and avadhi. He realised that it was time for him to descend from celestial life. Ha ving descended, he realised that he was safely lodged in the womb of the Brāhmaṇa woman Devānandă. But what he did not know was his descent because it was completed within a very short time(11).
When a god has 'only six months of his life left in heaven, his wreath dries up, the kalpa tree shakes, his grace becomes dim, his beauty fades away, his clothes lose their brightness, he looks pale, his sleep is gone, his desires end, his body loses its vigour, his eyes lose their vision, he shivers and his entire time is spent in distres - sing thoughts. But Mahavira was an exception. He did not undergo these 12 experiences.
At the time of Mahavira's entry into the womb, Devānandă, half asleep and half awake, dreamt 14 dreams. At once, she got up in a happy mood and narrated her dreams to Rsabhadatta. Rşabhadatta was also very happy to hear about them. Said he,
"Lucky woman ! These dreams are very important; they are good, blissful and worthy; they give health and well-being. As a result of these dreams, you will get wealth, affluence, son and happiness. You will give birth to an extraordinary boy on the expiry of 9 months and 7 days. The hands and feet of that boy will be very tender, his organs of senses plea - sant and duly developed, and his body beautiful and well-proportioned in every limb. He will be rich in signs, marks and merits. He will be placid like the moon, beloved of all, beautiful and pleasant."
(Continued the Brå hamana:)
