Tirthankar Mahavir

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust

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Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
"The days were passing it was the 13th day of the bright half of the month of Caitra, during the summer, 543 years before the commencement of the Vikram era.. It was at midnight, when the constellation of Hastottara was rising - the unborn baby had completed nine months and seven days in the womb of two mothers - that Queen Trishala gave birth to a son. The moon spread her silvery light across the earth yet on that night, the radiance and coolness was even greater than normal. The entire universe - visible and invisible - experienced joy and happiness. The divine light spread over the three worlds; heaven, earth and the nether worlds. Fifty-six celestial damsels, each located all over the universe, were there to look after the mother and
The birth cdebrations by
fifty six Dikkumais
child during the birth. They noticed a tremor in their heavenly abode, suggesting the birth of a tirthankara. Once aware of this, they rushed to Kshatriyakunda to undertake their duty and pa:d their respects to the tirthankara and the mother, Trishala.
Of the fifty-six heavenly nymphs, eight came from the lower world. They were responsible for looking after the house during this time. Eight came from the upper world and they sprinkled fragrant water on the ground, then scattered flowers there. The eight from the southern mountain lifted pitchers, carrying water while those from the east, took mirrors in their
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