Book Title: Jainism The Cosmic Vision
Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Mahavir Foundation

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Page 60
________________ Jainism: The Cosmic Vision The fifth dream of the nest implied that he would deserve the place of honour among living beings in all the three worlds, that is, he would be revered in all the three worlds. The sixth dream of the moon implied that he would spread tranquility in the world which was so full of distress. He would propagate the religion of forgiveness which gives peace as the moon does. The seventh dream of the sun implied that he would be radiant like the sun, destroying the darkness of ignorance and speading the light of knowledge. The eighth dream of the flag implied that he would be like a flag in the king's family. The ninth dream of the pitcher implied that he would be the treasure-house of all riches, powers and acquisitions. The tenth dream of the lake implied that like a lake he would remove the mental and physical fatigue of the people who are tired in spite of the fact that some of them rest on soft velvet beds, and that he will quench the thirst of people lying thirsty on the bank of the lake of samsara (worldly life). The eleventh dream of the ocean implied that, like the ocean, he would possess the gems of vast knowledge and faith. The twelfth dream of the gods' aeroplane implied that his fame would ascend up to that high abode. He would be adorable to gods. The thirteenth dream of the mine of gems implied that he would be the mine of the gems of virtues. The fourteenth and last dream of the firelight implied that 106 Non-Violence : A Way of Life he would serve as the light in the soul. Thus, it was prophesied that a leader of the masses, one possessing many virtues, would be born to the queen. His name would be famous in all the nine continents. At that time farmers went to King Siddhartha and said, "We do not know why, but the fertility of the land has increased." Cowherds went and told the queen, "A miracle ! Cows give more milk. More grass has grown in pastures." Forest-dwellers said, "The mango-trees are the same but, they are abound in the yield of mangoes. Plants are bending down with the luxuriance of flowers and trees with the abundance of fruits." Citizens said, "This is a prosperous year. The occasions of mourning have been few. Pre-mature deaths haven't occurred. We experience more and more a new impulse of joy and vitality." Hearing this, King Siddhartha said, "If the forecast of the astrologers comes true, a great soul will make himself mainfest in the world. My heart is also stirred with delight, I don't know why." Queen Trishaladevi said, "My mind is also stirred with joy. Shall we name the child Vardhaman ?" The word Vardhaman itself suggests an increase in the quantity of the good in life. The great soul now in the mother's womb thought, "My stirrings give indeed great pain to my mother. I shouldn't be a cause of it." Thinking thus, the soul in the womb became stable. It stopped stirring. Mother Trishala's pain in the womb 107

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