Vardhaman Book on Jainism

Author(s): Jayshree Menon
Publisher: Bennete Coleman & Co Ltd

Page 13

ahavir, the great man' lived peacefully in heaven for cen.
turies until he decided to incarnate on earth in order to save humanity. He took the form of an embryo in the womb of Devananda, wife of the Brahmin Rishabhadatta, who lived at Kundapura. That night, when Devananda lay half asleep in her bed, she dreamt of 14 favourable omens - an elephant, a bull, a lion, the Goddess Laxmi, a garland, the moon the sun, a banner, a beautiful jug, a lake full of lotuses, the ocean. God's palace, jewellery and an eternal flame. She told her husband what she had seen. Rishabhadatta was overjoyed, for he realised that a son would be born to them who would become a great scholar and a famous religious leader.
Then Sakra, the king of the Gods in heaven, decided that Mahavir should be the son of a Kshatriya, so he instructed the Gods' messenger Haringamesi, to transpose the new embryo from Devananda's womb to that of Trishala, wife of the Kshatriya king, Siddhartha. Trishala, who was reclining on a luxurious bed in a palace full of flowers and vases of perfumes now saw the 14 good omens in her dream. Her husband, Siddhartha, began to enjoy good fortune ever since that moment. He became ever richer in gold and silver, in land and grain, while his loyal army won victories and fame. The night when Mahavir was to be born, the Gods descended from heaven to share in the rejoicing. Flowers and fruits, gold and silver, rained from heaven on Siddhartha's palace. When Mahavir was born, he received the earthly name of Vardhaman (he who grows and develops). This event took place 2,590 years ago, according to Jain history.
For 30 years, Vardhaman led a worldly life as a prince in Bihar, he married Yasoda and had a daughter called Riyadarshana. His parents, who were adherents of the doctrine of Parshvanath, lay down one day and abstained from food until they left the world. Deeply impressed, Vardhaman, decided that he would become an ascetic. He distributed his wealth among the poor and began his life of wandering without bonds. After 12 years he acquired moksha, liberation from all earthly desires and with it, enlightenment. Again the Gods assembled on earth around his person to exclaim, 'Victory!' Thus Mahavir became Jina, the victor (his followers call themselves Jainas or Jains after him). At that moment the sky was bluer than ever before, like a deep lake Covered with blue lotuses, while heavenly music could be heard on earth. Mahavir, seated in profound meditation under a teak tree, became omniscient (kevalin). He had overcome all evil and he now began to preach what he had practised for 12 years.
One day while Mahavir was meditating in a field, a farmer arrived with his cows which he left in the field, telling Mahavir to guard them. Mahavir, however, was in such deep meditation that he did not hear the farmer nor see the cows. When the farmer came back the cows where nowhere to be seen. Furious the farmer screamed, "You lazy useless idler!" to the noble saint, and started beating him.
He would have killed him, if Indra had not descended from heaven to protect the great ascetic whom he had been watching over all the time knowing what would happen.
Thirty years after becoming kevalin, he was ready to leave the world, so he became liberated (mukta) and perfected (siddha). Mahavir had himself carried to a throne made of diamonds in a large hall illuminated by heavenly light. He preached there until in the small hours of the night, all his listeners had gone to sleep. Unseen, he attained moksha. Quickly many lamps were lit but the soul had departed.
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