Jain Legend Vol 1

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

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rising or setting. Even the religious scripture of the Vedic tradition,
r madbh gavata mentions the birth of N bhi from the descendant of the first manu Sv yambhuva, Agn dhra, and that of Vabhan tha from N bhi. Thus even in the scriptures of the Vedic tradition in close similarity with the Jain gamas, not just the scion of the Raghukula r Puru ottama R ma but his ancestors S gara, etc and many years before him, the birth of V abhan tha is mentioned. At the time of the birth of V abhan tha peace prevailed in all directions, the whole world became illuminated. For a moment even the denizens of hell also experienced comfort.
When a great soul, with the virtues /merits of becoming a T rthamkara and to be venerated by the entire humanity, is born; at that time the thrones of 56 di kum rs and 64 devendras begin to tremble. Learning through their clairvoyant knowledge (avadhij na) of the birth of a T rthamkara; the celestial beings, di kum r s and devendras celebrate the birth in the form or anointment, etc with customary pomp and wealth as is due to their status, at the birthplace of the T rthamkara as well as at Mount Mer and the island of Namd vara, as has been done since the beginningless time. This is an eternal rule for all times. As per these norms, the devas and devendras celebrated the Lord's birth by giving him the holy bath (abhi eka) and celebrated eight days of great festivities (a hnik ). King N bhi and his subjects too celebrated the Lord's birth with a lot of gaiety.
Naming (Ceremony), lineage (vam a) and status (gotra)
At the time of conception Marudev had first dreamt of a beautiful bull, and the child had the auspicious insignia of a bull on his thigh, his parents named him Vabhan tha. According to the writer of
r madbh gavata he was named V abhan tha by his father N bhi on account of his good qualities such as a beautiful body, bounteous fame, strength, glory and valiance. In the Digmabara texts we find the name V abhan tha. V abhan tha is the foremost in the universe, and the best. He showers the nectar of religion on the world for its welfare. That is why Indra named him V abhan tha.
When young V abhan tha was about a year old, one day the king of gods, Indra came to him. He had a sugarcane stalk in his hand at that
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