Jain Center Essex Fells NJ 1993 04 Ten Years Celebration

Author(s): Jain Center Essex Fells NJ
Publisher: USA Jain Center New Jersey

Page 45

10th Anniversary Celebration
Synopsis
Shree Mahavir Janma Mahotsav "A Dance Drama"
We often do "Snatra Pooja," a celebration of Bhagwan's birth. This dance drama is a reenactment of the Snatra Pooja.
About 2500 years ago, King Siddharth and his Queen Trishla lived happily in Kshatriya Kund Nagar. Everyone in his kingdom was happy.
One night Queen Trishla had 14 bright and beautiful dreams. The fourteen dreams were:
1. Gajwar (Elephant)
2. Vrushabh (Ox)
3. Kesari Sinh (Lion)
4. Laxmi Devi (Goddess Laxmi)
5. Phool ni Mala (Five color garland of flowers)
6. Chandra (Moon)
7. Suraj (Sun)
8. Dharm Dhaja (Flag of Religion)
9. Kalash (A jeweled pot)
10. Padma Sarovar (A lake full of lotuses)
11. Kshir Samoodra (A divine ocean)
Dev Viman (God's aeroplane)
13. Ratna no dhaglo (Heap of jewels) 14. Agni (Fire without smoke)
Joyous Trishla told the king about these magnificent dreams. The king was overjoyed. The very next morning, he summoned astrologers to interpret Trishla's dreams.
The Astrologers predicted that Trishla would give birth to a beautiful and pious boy who was destined to become the 24th Jain Tirthankar. Everyone in the kingdom rejoiced and celebrated.
After nine months, Trishla gave birth to this beautiful boy, who they later named Vardhman.
In Dev Lok, through the powers of Avdhi Gnan (Omniscient Knowledge), the Dikkumris learned to Bhagawan Mahavir's birth. 56 Dikkumris came down to pay respect to the lord and to attend to the new mother, Trishla.
In the other Dev Lok, Saudharma Indra's throne began to shake. Through his Avdhi Gnan he also learned of Bhagwan Mahavir's birth. He joyously announced the birth to the other Indras and ordered them to come to Mt. Meru to celebrate.
Saudharma Indra, in his five fc.ns, came down to pay respect to Lord Mahavir and mother Trishla. He put Trishla in a mystical sleep and brought the lord to Mt. Meru for the grand celebration. 64 Indras and Indranis performed the Lord's pooja with milky water from Kshir Samoodra (the divine ocean)