Bhagvana Mahavira

Author(s): Tulsi Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 20

Bhagavān Mahāvi, a
not a valour inspired by violent dispositions. It had assume spiritual dimensions. And yet it was not an accidental change. The new orientation was the logical outcome of the sādhanā performed by the soul of Triprştha in the course of numerous previous births. Let us not forget that every event has a chain of causes behind it. The Dreams of the Mother
Queen Trišalā had already given birth to her first son called Nandivardhana. The soul of Triprştha was born to her as the second son. She felt an unprecedented joy on the night of her conceiving the child. She saw a series of significant dreams in a half-waking state. She woke Siddhārtha up and told him that she felt something extraordinary. "I saw an elephant and a bull and several other things in my dream. I feel a very pleasant sensation. The whole atmosphere seems to be throbbing with light and joy", she reported to her husband and added, "I expect some extra-ordinary event to happen”.
Siddhārtha sensed the situation and remarked, “Darling, you have seen very auspicious dreams. You are a fortunate lady and will bring fortune to our family." Thus encoura. ged, the queen's joy knew no bounds. In a state of exhilaration she retired to her bed-chamber. She remembered the saying that one who has seen an auspicious dream should not again go to sleep after one has been awakened from the dream. She remained awake for the rest of the night.
The rays of the sun had pierced the far ends of the earth. Everyone had applied himself to the day's business. The king sat in the audience hall with the queen. He called upon the chief courtier to summon the sooth-sayers to his audience.
The sooth-sayers presented themselves before the king. They were honourably received. The king began to consult them on the queen's dreams. They examined the contents of