Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 228

Sec. IV]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
203
give birth to a great child as interpreted by the eight readers of signs of dream, queen Prabhāvati Devi carried about i.e. nursed) the embryo of her future child, following the course of maintaining it by not taking very cold, hot, bitter, pungent, sour, sweet articles (of food), but by enjoying happinessproducing food, sleep, fragrant flowers, garlands, and moderate and embryo-nourshing diet.
Thus having taken that kind of food at proper place in time and rest on the pure soft bed and seats, enjoyed lonely happiness agreeable to mind in pleasure garden and having her desire commended, fulfilled and honoured, but not-un honoured and destroyed, and also having become free from disease, infatuation, fear and terror, she nourished that embryo upto the period of nine months and seven and a half days and nights. After the completion of this course with all cares and attentions, she gave birth to a beautiful male child having very tender hands and feet, fully developed five sensed body endowed with the marks of good quality and a placid face like the shape of the moon, lovely, dear and pleasant to the sight?
The evidences of the process of nourishing the embryo and maintaining the pregnancy as mentioned in the Bhs are also corroborated by those of other Jain texts'. They put an emphasis on the observation of the same carefulness by the mother in taking not very cold or hot or acrid or pungent or sour or sweet food but wholesome, moderate embryo-nourishing diet at proper time and place, and also in standing, sitting and sleeping, and dressing and decoration during the period of pregnancy for the safe growth of the future unborn child. Thus she, being free from disease, sorrow and terror should nurse the embryo having her all desires fulfilled and satisfied, as the pregnancy longing crops up in the heart of the mother.
It is stated in the Nāyādhammakahāos that the unfulfilled desire of queen Dhāriņi to roam about in the outskirts of Vebhāra
1 Bhs, 11, 11, 428, • Nāyādhammakahāo, 1, P. 19; CF. Avadana Satakā 1, 3, P 15. 9 16, 1, P. 10 ff.