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use. Putting a lump of clay on the broad temples of an elephant he taught them how to mould and fire pots.
At this juncture when the period of enjoyment was at its end and the period of action or effort was at its beginning, Nābhirāya began a new era by providing a new system to the human society on this planet. Therefore, he is also called an epoch-maker. It is, indeed, true that he laid the foundation of human civilization by making earthen pots and showing the use of grains for subsistence.
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BHAGAVĀNA RŞABHADEVA
BIRTH
On Indra's (king of gods) command gods created the city of Ayodhya. First of all five Jain temples were constructed, one in each cardinal direction and one in the center of the city. After this a grand palace for Nābhirāya was made and then houses with all facilities for the public. Once the city was built they brought Nābhirāya and queen Marudevi into Ayodhya with due honour and courtesy. With the royal couple came many other people who were allotted houses. Besides this, many more people were brought from jungles and rehabilitated in the city. Thus Ayodhya became the first center of civilized society. This was the beginning of human civilization.
One night Marudevi was sleeping in her soft bed in her bedroom. During the last quarter of the night she saw sixteen dreams. The dreams were symbolic. They augured that a Tīrthankara has descended in her womb. In due course he will destroy all karmas, become Bhagavāna and bless the world with beatitude. The pious date on which the being that was to be the first Tirthankara descended into the womb of his mother was Āsādha Kșsņā second (the second day of the dark fortnight of the month of Āsādha).
The fetus continued to develop in the womb normally. The mother too had no discomfort due to pregnancy. A soul becomes a Tīrthankara due to extremely meritorious karmas (punya). Even the
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