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MYTH OF LORD MAHAVIR'S EMBRYO-TRANSFER IN JAIN-SCRIPTURES
MANGILAL BHUTODIA
Apropos my article on "The unique example of embryo transfer" performed practically about 2600 yrs ago published in the Journal of The Asiatic Society (vol. XLII nos. 3-4, 2000), it was my pleasure researching the issues raised by learned readers and thinkers.
The most revered 12th Century's Jain Acharya Hem Chandra Suri in his well known treatise “Trishasti-Salaka-Purus-Carita" (त्रिषष्ठि शलाकापुरुषचरित, पर्व - 10, सं. 2 पद 16-19) has while narrating Lord Mahavir's life, described the episode of the Embryo transfer almost in a similar manner mentioned in the Jain Agamic Scriptures Kalpa Sutra (कल्पसूत्र), Bhagwati Sutra ( भगवती सूत्र ) and Acharanga Sutra (आचारांग सूत्र ). It seems he followed the tradition of medieval saints.
It was astonishing to find a similar episode in Balram, Krishna's elder brother whose embryo-transfer is mentioned in Srimad BhagwatPurana (श्रीमद्भागवत पुराण, स्कंध - 10, अध्याय - 2, श्लोक - 6-15) as having surpassed all limits of time and imagination.
भगवानपि विश्वात्मा विदित्वाकंसजं भयम् । यदूनां निजनाथानां योगमायां समादिशत् ॥६॥ गच्छ देवि व्रजं भद्रे गोपगोभिरलङ्कतम् । रोहिणी वसुदेवस्य भार्याऽऽस्ते नन्दगोकुले | अन्याश्रु कंससंविग्ना विवरेषु वसन्ति हि ॥ ७॥ देवक्या जठरे गर्भ शेषाख्यं धाम मामकम् । तत् संनिकृष्य रोहिण्या उदरे संनिवेशय ॥ ८ ॥ अथाहमंशभागेन देवक्या: पुत्रतां शुभे । प्राप्स्यामि त्वं यशोदायां नन्दपत्न्यां भविष्यसि ॥ ९ ॥ अर्चिष्यन्ति मनुष्यास्त्वां सर्वकामवरेश्वरीम् । धूपोपहारबलिभिः सर्वकामवरप्रदाम् ॥१०॥
