Jain Digest 2001 01 Vol 17 No 01

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 21

LIFE OF BHAGWAN MAHAVIR*
(Editor's Note: This article narrates Bhagwan Mahavir's life story prevalent in Digamber tradition.)
A little over 2500 years ago, in the land of Bharata, there was a prosperous city named Vaishali. In that republic, there was a beautiful city named Kundalapura ruled by King Siddhartha. His wife was Trishala, who was also known as Priyakarini. One night as queen Priyakarini was sleeping in peace in the palace, she dreamt sixteen very auspicious dreams, which were as follows: (1) an infatuated elephant, (2) a white bull with high shoulders, (3) a roaring lion, (4) Goddess Lakshmi seated on a lotus throne, (5) two fragrant garlands, (6) the moon surrounded by stars, (7) the rising sun, (8) two golden jars covered by lotus leaves, (9) a pair of fish at play in water, (10) a pool of clean water, (11) a sea making a loud road, (12) a throne studded with gems, (13) a heavenly abode shining with jewels, (14) king's huge palace kissing the sky, (15) a heap of gems and (16) a smokeless fire.
In the morning, the queen narrated the dreams to the king and expressed a desire to know their implications. The king, who himself was an expert in astrology, became highly delighted. Explain ing the dreams, the king said, your son will be powerful like an elephant, active like a bull, strong like a lion, upholder of four types of treasures, soft like flowers, cool
like the moon, killing darkness like the sun, auspicious like the golden jars, submerged in the ocean of knowledge like the pair of fish at play, purified by right knowledge, calm like the ocean, reigning over the three worlds, a visitor from the 16th heaven, master of extra-sensory knowledge, shining like the pile of gems, and brilliant like the burning flame. He told her that the dreamt means that she would give birth to a great child who would be the founder of the Dharmatirtha, the last Tirthankar.
Thus, on the sixth day of the bright half of Ashadha, Mahavir came in the womb of queen Trishala. During the growth of the boy in the mother's womb increased the wealth, happiness, and enthusiasm of the king. After a long happy waiting, on the auspicious thirteenth day of the bright half of Chaitra, mother Trishala gave birth to a powerful son, and named him Vardhaman, a worthy name, which suggested itself for him. His birth was celebrated with great pomp and grandeur. Even Bhagwan Indra and other gods came to celebrate the birth, which has been known as Janmakalyanaka. From birth, Vardhaman was healthy and graceful and had an attractive personality. He used to attract everybody. He had the knowledge of life and matter. He was considerate with a developed conscience and fearlessness. Once he was playing with his friends under a tree. An angel came there as a furious snake to test his brevity. Vardhaman was not afraid with the snake, and he
-Compiled by Narendra Jain
threw him far away. The angel was impressed with his fearlessness and named him "Vir."
Once an elephant got infuriated and having broken the post to which he was tied, he started creating havoc in the whole city. The city was in turmoil and people started running amock. Even the most highly trained elephant drivers failed to bring him under control. Other warriors also failed to restrain him. So it was apparent that if he could not be checked soon, there would a great loss of life and property. But prince Vardhaman soon tamed him and removed his fury. This surprised everybody, and they all started praising his bravery. The elderly statesmen of the kingdom were amazed at the bravery of the prince and named him "Ativira." He was gentle by nature, but when he entered his youth, his seri
ousness
increased. He preferred to live in solitude in a pensive mood and think of deeper things. He solved other's difficulty through ordinary conversation and they went away convinced. Once the difficulties of two monks were got resolved at his very sight and they named him as "Sanmati."
When the prince entered into youth, he became remarkably handsome. Impressed by his superhuman grace and values, many a king approached king Siddhartha with a proposal to marry their daughters with prince Vardhamana, but the prince did not agree. Even the parents made pressing request for his marriage but he declined. One day, pensive Vardhaman was in deep thought and suddenly many of his past lives were revealed to him. This raised his detachment to its full. He decided to give up the household and go out in quest of the soul. The world tried to win him over, but he was already won by the soul and so all the efforts of the world failed. The Call of Youth cast snare at him, but they went in vain. The affection of the parents tried to prevent him but even the torrents of the mother's tears could not sweep him away. His parents, relations and members of the household made many efforts to dissuade him, but the tie of his attachment was wholly gone. His detachment was inherent and instinctive, because it came from within. Thus while in the prime of youth, he was initiated by himself to be a monk on the tenth day of the dark half of Margasirsa. The prince left the city and entered into the forest. As all his attachment and greed were already gone, he had no more
attachment for things, which were still on his person. So, in his full senses, he discarded his clothes and ornaments, and became a monk. Vardhaman gave up all attachment from this world and practiced penances, both internal and external. A favorable situation did not give him pleasure, and adverse situation did not cause him any pain. The excesses of summer, winter or rains never perturbed him. Many a wild animal gave up its ferociousness at
JAIN DIGEST. SPRING 2001/19 www.jainelibrary.org