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Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies
(omniscience), the gods built a great Samavasarana wherein men and animals can hear the Jina preaching (see pp. 414-417, Pls. 291-293). In the life of the last Jina, Mahävīra, there occurred a sixth auspicious event - the transfer of the embryo from the womb of Brāhmani Devänandä to that of Kșatriyāņi Trišalā. Life of Mahāvira
On the sixth day of the bright half of the month of Āsādha (June-July), after completing his life in the celestial abode Puspottara, Mahavira (24th Jina) descended on the earth. He was conceived in the womb of Brähmaṇa woman Devānandā, who lived in the town of Kundagrama in Magadha. When Mahāvira descended in the womb of Devananda she dreamt fourteen auspicious dreams. In dreams she saw an elephant, a bull, a lion, the lustration of goddess Śrī, a garland, the moon, the sun, a flag, an urn, a lotus pond, the sea, a celestial chariot a heap of jewels and a burning fire (Pl. 249). Devänandā described her dream to her husband Rşabhadatta and asked him what they indicated. Rsabhadatta informed Devänandä that these noble dreams foretell a happy enjoyable future and also indicate the birth of an intelligent child who will be a Cakravartin or Arhat.
Indra who kept watch over earth noted that Mahāvira had entered the womb of Devānandā. He reflected that it had never been that a Cakravartin is born in a minor clan or in a family of humble origin. They are always born in powerful and princely clans belonging to the warrior Ksatriya caste. If it occurs, the established practice for Indra was to have the embryo of the Arhat transferred to the womb of a Ksatriya woman. Accordingly, Indra transferred the embryo of Mahāvīra from the womb of Devānandā to that of Ksatriya woman Trišala, who lived in the same town, and the embryo in the womb of Trišalā was inserted into that of Devänanda. Indra instructed Harinaigameşi, the commander of his infantry, to carry out the exchange of embryos (Pl. 250).
Harinaigameşi, on his mission, went directly to
the house of Rşabhadatta. He gently carried the embryo of Mahāvīra to Trisala in her palace. He exchanged the embryos and carried the embryo from Trisalā's womb to that of Devānandā (Pl. 251). On the same night, Trisalā saw the same fourteen auspicious dreams that Devānandā had at the time of Mahāvīra's conception. Contemplating her dreams she narrated it to her husband king Siddhārtha (Pl. 252). The king Siddhartha overjoyed and next day wanted to know the meaning of dreams from the soothsayers. Soothsayers explaining auspicious dreams seen by queen Trisalā informed the king about the birth of a son who will become a Cakravartin (Pl. 253). But it may also happen that he may become a Jina
Ever since Mahävira entered Trišala's womb the family's honour, wealth, happiness increased. As a result Mahāvīra's parents decided to name their son as Vardhamāna. However, others call him śramaņa and the gods referred to him as Mahāvīra. While in the womb of his mother Mahāvīra decided to renounce the world of a householder for that of a monk.
Mahavira was born on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the month of Caitra (March-April). On the same night Indra, along with other gods and goddesses, came down to earth and took away the newly born child, replacing him with a false figure of Mahāvīra. Alongwith other heavenly beings he proceeded to Mt. Meru for the lustration rites. After the nativity celebrations Indra returned the holy infant to his mother (Pl. 254).
The king Siddhartha, his royal household and others celebrated the birth of Mahavira for eleven days with great splendour. Mahavira spent thirty years of his life in the region of Videha and after his parents passed away he decided to take the vows of an itinerant monk. for his renunciation Mahavira gave away all the worldly things such as gold, ornaments, carriages, warehouses, treasure houses etc. At that time Laukantika gods came and said to future Jina to progagate the religion. Indra came from the heaven, bathed and decorated Mahāvīra.
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