Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 2

Author(s): G C Chaudhary
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 37

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VAISHALI INSTITUTE RESEARCH BULLETIN NO. 2
(6) his mother suffers from no disease, not even weariness and sees him (the Bodhisatta) in her womb complete in all his organs and limbs;
(7) his mother dies on the seventh day after his births and attains. the heaven of Delight;
(8) his mother, unlike other women who bring forth after bearing the foetus for nine or ten months, brings forth after ten months and
(9) his mother, unlike other women who bring forth sitting or reclining, brings forth standing.
When the Bodhisatta comes out from his mother's womb, (10) gods receive him first before he touches the earth and present to the mother requesting her to rejoice at her sons glory;
(11) he, in stead of being defiled by watery substance, mucus and blood, remains pure and spotless like a jewel laid down on Benares silk;
(12) showers of cold and warm water appear from the sky for the bathing of the Bodhisatta and his mother;
(13) Bodhisatta walks seven steps to the north with white canopy held over him and predicts his own liberation after looking around on all sides; and
(14) an infinite and splendid radiance surpassing the glory of the gods is made manifest throughout the universe.1
Thus we see that the list is saturated with supernatural elements. Nevertheless, information like Bodhisatta's walking seven steps just after his birth, his mother delivering him standing after bearing the foetus for complete ten months and the death of his mother on the seventh day after his birth, etc. are some of the events which should not be regarded as entirely impossible.
The special features which must occur with the Tirthankaras, like that of the dhammata of the Buddhas, are called atiśaya (super-quality), These atisayas, thirty-four in number, are enumerated in earlier text like the Samavayanga where they are called buddhaisesa.2 These are further stated by Hemacandra in his Abhidha nacintamani which are as given below:
1. Dialogues of the Buddha (Rhys Davids), Part II, pp. 9-13; Dighanikaya, Part II, Mahapadanasutta.
2. Op. cit, sutra, 34.
3.
Op. cit, 1.57-64; Trişaṣṭisalākāpuruşacaritra (Gaekwad), Vol. I, pp. 5-6, fn. 11.