Jain Journal 1971 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 17

206
JAIN JOURNAL
Then was born the wise and great Vimalavahana ; (after him) Abhicandra of the lusture of the moon and then Marudeva, Prasenajita and Nabhi.
These fourteen law-givers born in the Bharataksetra, were proficient in polity in the world and were like fathers to their subjects.
In the place where Nabhi himself lived, there was a wonderful (desire-yielding) tree which was surrounded by various gardens and wells and was the abode of pleasure and duration of life.
He had a beloved wife, Marudevi (by name) who was possessed of many virtues, youth, beauty and of good form and was like a goddess incarnate.
And the goddesses Hri, Sri, Dhrti, Kirti, Buddhi and Laxmi were so to say in her service and obeyed her commands at the instance of Indra.
The goddesses performed the duties like the preparation of) food, drink, sandal, bed, seat, and bathing, etc., and they congratulated her by means of dance, music and lute.
Then once upon a time, the queen Marudevi who was sleeping comfortably on a rich bed, saw the auspicious fourteen dreams, during the last watch of the night).
(They were): a bull, an elephant, a lion, excellent glory, a garland of flowers, the moon, the sun, a flag, a pitcher, a lake, an ocean, a celestial car, an excellent house and a fire-like lusture of the heap of jewels.
At the close of the dreams, being just awakened by the sound of the drums giving out the notes of hailing, she shone like a lotus plant (or a lily) at the advent of the sun.
Having performed her toilet and other auspicious duties, she went to Nabhi, her eyes full of the expression of joy. Seated on jewelled seat, she told her husband the auspicious dreams (she dreamt).
Grasping the significance of the dream, Nabhi said : "O Beautiful One, a prophet will be born of your womb."