The Jain 1992 04 Special Issue

Author(s): Natubhai Shah, Vinod Kapashi
Publisher: UK Jain Samaj Europe

Page 8

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According to Jain tradition there were twenty-three Tirthankaras (Discoverers of the Path) before Bhagawan Mahavira. The proof of the historicity of some Tirthankaras is seen from historical evidence and literature.
Bhagawan Mahavira was neither a pioneer nor the founder of Jainism nor its last Tirthankara. Jain tradition believes that there have been many Tirthankaras before him and there will be many in the future. There may be some modifications in their teaching methods depending upon the time cycle, but the basic principles of Jainism remain the same.
About 2,600 years ago there lived at Kundigram, near Vaishali in Bihar (India), a king called Siddhartha. He
THEY HAD A SON CALLED NANDIVARDHANA.
DREAMS.
MAHAVIRA
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Not long after the birth of Nandivardhana, Trishala had fourteen significant dreams, which she narrated to the King.
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THEY WERE NO ORDINARY DREAMS.
was married to Trishala sister of Chetaka, who was elected Chieftain of Vaishali -
The King sent for the astrologer to find out the meaning of these auspicious dreams. The astrologer prophesied that the queen will bear a son who is destined to become a great person.
The couple was overjoyed. They gave grand feasts to all the citizens of Kundigram and distributed gifts to the poor and learned.
Then on the thirteenth day of the month of Chaitra,
THE QUEEN HAS GIVEN BIRTH TO A SON.
HE HAS ALL THE AUSPICIOUS MARKS OF A GREAT PERSON!
The entire kingdom rejoiced for ten days. Siddhartha and Trishala could barely contain their joy and pride. With his birth peace and prosperity increased in the kingdom, hence they named him Vardhamana.