Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 67

27
MAHĀVIRA'S BIRTH AND MENDICANCY
Birth (29-70)
On the thirteenth day of the dark half of Āśvina, the moon being in Hastottara, the god put the Master secretly into Trišalā's womb. An elephant, bull, lion, Śri being sprinkled, wreath, moon, sun, flag, full pitcher, a lotus-pond, ocean, palace, heap of jewels, and a smokeless fire—these dreams in succession the Mistress (Trišalā) saw entering her mouth. Queen Trisalā rejoiced at the meaning of the dreams announced by the Indras, her husband, and the experts as indicating the birth of a Tīrthakệt. Queen Trišalā, delighted, carried the wonderful embryo carefully, wandering in the grounds of pleasure-houses.
While the Lord was still in the womb, at Sakra's command the Jşmbhaka-gods brought gifts again and again to Siddhārtha's house. The entire Jñāta-family prospered greatly with wealth of much money, grain, et cetera, by the power of the Blessed One who had descended into the womb. Kings, who had not bowed to King Siddhārtha in the past from pride, came themselves bearing gifts and made obeisance.
“ May my mother not suffer pain from my moving in her.” With this idea the Master remained motionless, like a yogi, in the womb. Preventing any movement of his body, the Master stayed in the womb in such a way that his mother could not tell whether he was there or not. Then Trisalā thought:
“Has my embryo fallen ? Or has some one taken it away? Or is it dead? Or transfixed by a spell? If this has happened, then enough of life for me. For the pain of death is endurable, but not that caused by the loss of an embryo.”
With this painful thought, the queen, weeping, her hair disordered, ointments abandoned, resting her lotus-face on her lotus-hand, wearing no ornaments, her lips miserable from sighs, silent even with her friends, did not eat nor sleep. King Siddhārtha grieved when he learned about that; and his worthy children, Nandivardhana and Sudarśanā, too. The Lord, who