Mahavir Prince Of Peace

Author(s): Ranchor Prime
Publisher: Mandala Publishing

Page 38

Acharya Shri Kalassagarsun Gyanmandir
As soon as the boy was born, flowers bloomed everywhere in abundance.
FESTIVAL in HEAVEN
OW THE BATHING CEREMONIES, which had first been done by the mothers down on earth, were repeated on a grand heavenly scale. The chief gods were the bathers, and they lined up bearing gold and silver pitchers, while choirs of angels sang. Just as Indra was about to start the ceremony the mountain started to shake, filling everyone with
fear. "Who is the cause of this disturbance?" demanded Indra. He feared some ill-motivated person was trying to interrupt the blessed occasion. But no such person could be found. Then it was noticed that the tremors seemed to radiate from the child himself, that his little foot touched the mountain and made it tremble. So great was this soul's power, saw Indra, that even Mount Meru shook at the touch of his foot. In this way Indra understood that the greatest soul in the universe was present before him. His fear was gone, but he felt awe and veneration before so great a being. With reverence and devotion he led the ceremony.
When all was complete Indra raised the divine child, and as before carried him through the heavens and back down to earth, where he gently returned him to the lap of his mother, under the watchful eye of King Siddhartha.
As soon as the boy was born, the king's subjects experienced an unprecedented increase in the fertility of their fields and orchards. Mango trees were laden with fruits, cow pastures were lush and green, flowers bloomed everywhere in abundance and the harvest surpassed anything previously known.
Everyone believed this good fortune must be due to the birth of the queen's son, who seemed so spe cial. They had heard the prophecies foretelling the good fortune he would bring, so he was given the name Vardhamana, which means "bringer of wealth."
On the sum of Mount Mert, he banning ceremates were repeated, but this time on a rond heavenly scale