________________
Bhagawan Mahavir).
[ 189
love upon each other. This ritè was observed in the form of presents, announcements and salutations. The festival lasted for ten days. There were rejoicings and merry-makings all-round. The king disburdened many people of their debts, repealed many customs and duties, and paid from the royal treasure the debts of those who were indebted to outsiders. All the necessary things were supplied to the subjects so that they might celebrate the occasion, in the same manner, throughout the kingdom.
On the third day, the new-born child was taken out with a pomp to see the sun and the moon. On the sixth day the most beautiful and the most graceful ladies of the city assembled at the royal palace to sing ceremonial songs. They wore all the marks of their being merry women e.g. saffron, paste and other ointments. They were wearing the twelve kinds of ornaments and had decorated themselves in sixteen ways prescribed in the scriptures. Queen Trishala kept busy with them in great joy. After the performance of' nocturnal devotions' presents and gifts were exchanged. The Jata-Karma ceremony ( ceremony to be observed after the birth of a child) was performed on the eleventh day and the “ Nama-Karama" (name-giving or baptismal) rite on the twelfth. The king invited all his friends and relatives, and caste-fellows to join in the ceremony. The guests brought beautiful and valuable presents with them. The king received them very gladly. When the function of receiving the gifts and presents was over, the guests were invited to a feast in the king's palace. The king speaking on the occasion said, “ Happiness, wealth, wisdom, and prosperity of my subjects and myself began to grow from the day, this child
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
