Jain Journal 1973 04

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

Page 29

186
on the completion of nine months and seven and half day-nights, [when the planets were high up in their exaltations, when all the directions were clear, bright and pure, by the touch of the moon in its principal conjunction, when all the omens were auspicious, when the favourable southerly wind kissed the ground, when the earth was full of corn, and when all the human beings were delighted and at play, then,) at the confluence of the first half and the second half of the night, at the conjunction of the moon with the asterism Uttaraphalguni, Sramana Bhagavan Mahavira was born in a healthy body as son (to Trisala) who was also in perfect health. 96
JAIN JOURNAL
[During the night when Sramana Bhagavan Mahavira was born, there was a divine lustre everywhere created by many descending and ascending gods and goddesses.]
During the night when Sramana Bhagavan Mahavira was born, as many gods and goddesses descended and ascended, [there being a great conflux of gods, which gave a divine light to the world, the whole world was] struck with wonder and there was noise and confusion-'What's this? Why this ?' 97
During the night when Sramana Bhagavan Mahavira was born, many Jrimbhaka gods of the animal world, the order-bearers of Vaisramana, showered in the residence of King Siddhartha silver, gold, jewels, garments, ornaments, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, wreaths, perfumes, sandal-wood, powder, and riches. ["Offer we these dear things for the use of our very dear one. May these be dear unto thee !" So saying (they) took off their garlanded head-covers and washed the head.] 98
Then the Bhavanapatis, the Vyantaras, the Jyotiskas, the Vaimanikas and other celestial beings (devas) having performed the rites to celebrate the birth of a Tirthankara, early in the morning, Ksatriya Siddhartha called the city guards and addressed them thus: 99
"Oh the beloved of the gods! Quickly open the prison-gates of Kundapura and set free the prisoners, and increase the weights and measures. Having done these, get sprinkled with water, broomed and smeared and do these yourselves both inside and outside the city of Kundapura where four roads meet, where three roads meet, the squares, open spaces, four-door mansions, thoroughfares and all other places; erect and get erected in the middle of roads and on approaches to the shopping centres innumerable platforms, high and low, and get these platforms decorated with multicoloured flags and banners; decorate