Mahavir Prince Of Peace

Author(s): Ranchor Prime
Publisher: Mandala Publishing

Page 33

The moon shone in a clear sky, and all around was peace and harmony.
BIRTH of a SPECIAL CHILD
IME PASSED AND THE CHILD GREW IN HIS MOTHER'S WOMB. No more anxiety marred her pregnancy. At midnight on the thirteenth day of the waxing moon in Chaitra, the month of spring, tremors radiated through the universe and the heavenly beings knew something special was about to happen. Celestial mothers who lived in realms far above and below the earth converged on the royal palace of Vaishali to witness the special moment and celebrate the birth of Queen Trisala's baby boy.
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So it was that the special baby came into this world. The moon shone in a clear sky, and all around was peace and harmony. Angelic beings appeared from all over the universe to honor the newborn child. Eight came from each of the directions: north, south, east, west, the lower worlds and the upper worlds. Each group offered their personal service to the little baby. Some massaged him with aromatic oils, some bathed him in pure water, some anointed him with cooling sandalwood paste, some sang joyful songs. Meanwhile they built a gorgeous pavilion, using banana trees and flowers, in which they made a seat for the mother and child. There the heavenly women worshiped them, fanning them, decorating them with flowers and dancing to the sound of joyful music. All night and all day the festival continued, then the divine worshipers returned to their respective abodes.
Next came the lord of the heavens, the great Indra, ruler of the gods. He also had felt the tremors announcing the birth of a great soul, and hastened to honor him. Indra sounded the divine Sughosha bell, which rang throughout the heavens, informing all that they should come worship the child.
Angelic beings built a gorgeous pavilion in which they seated the mother and child, then worshiped them.
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