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and thirst experienced a divine feeling of fulfillment. All around cool and fragrant breeze started blowing. Patients of chronic
ailments felt cured. Natural enemies too had a surge of a feeling of mutual goodwill and love. All the three worlds (heaven,
earth and hell) were filled with waves of happiness. With the birth of the child, the whole atmosphere underwent a strange
change for sometime.
Hearing the news of the birth of Bhagavan Mahavir all the inhabitants of the dimensions of gods danced with joy. First of all
the king of gods, Shakrendra, came and bowed before the Bhagavan and then circumambulated mother Trishla three times.
All the gods-goddesses and lower gods (Gandharva, Kinner etc.) sang and danced and celebrated the birth of the Tirthankar
with gaiety. According to the Kalpasutra, on the night of the birth of the child, first of all 56 divine maidens from all directions
(Disha Kumaris) performed the first cleaning and other necessary post birth duties. Shakrendra and other gods, then, took
the child to the peak of the Meru Mountain and gave him the first bath and anointment. They sang songs in honor of the divine
birth.
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At dawn a maid named Priyamvada rushed to king Siddharth and announced, “Congratulations Sire! Many congratulations!
Queen Trishla was given birth to a male child”.
Filled with joy and ecstacy the king gave away all the ornaments on his body, save state emblems, to Priyamvada. He also
released her from slavery. Thus, a slave woman was freed of her life long slavery just because she was the bearer of the
good news of the birth of the Tirthankar.
Strange Celebrations
King Siddharth called his Prime Minister and ordered, “Tell the officer-in-charge of celebrations to organize unique and
special birth celebrations”.
After the king’s order, all the highways, roads and lanes in the town of Kshatriyakund were cleared, perfumed water was
sprayed, and buntings, garlands and leaves were lavishly put everywhere. Sweets and gifts were distributed. People danced
with joy. The whole town echoed with felicitous songs and music.
Maharaj Siddharth had an inspiration. He called the Prime Minister and said, “The celebrations of child birth in the royal family
are part of the tradition. However, on this particular occasion I want something new, something unique.”
The minister humbly submitted, “Sire! Express your wish and it will be carried out like an order”.
King Siddharth said, “Today announce a general amnesty. Free all the prisoners; right off all the debts; distribute money to the
needy; allow fifty percent subsidy on all purchases from all traders; open centers for distribution of food and clothes to the
poor, old and invalid; and liberate old and sick slaves. Thus let the townsfolk join the celebrations free from misery, hunger
and bondage.
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The order of king Siddharth was carried out. The celebrations continued for ten days with unprecedented enthusiasm.
People hailed the occasion and muttered, “Some divine great soul has descended on the earth to liberate the world from pain
and misery”.
When the name giving ceremonies approached, king Siddharth said to Devi Trishla, “Devi! There has been a continued
increase in our wealth, power and happiness. As such I think we should name the child as Vardhaman (ever increasing)”.
Queen Trishla consented with joy, “Maharaj! You are absolutely correct. This child is certainly going to accelerate our alround
development”. (M-7)
Vardhaman: The Name
On the Twelfth Day after the birth of the child, king Siddharth organized a great feast and invited all his relatives and friends.
After meals and other state courtesies, king Siddharth addressed the guests, “Since the day this child was conceived, our
family has been blessed with increasing goodwill, respect, wealth, and mutual affection. Cash, gold and gems have increased
in our treasury. The public has descended; there has been a continued enhancement in our glory, wealth, health and
fame. As such Devi Trishla and I have thought of a befitting name for this child “Vardhaman”.
King Siddharth’s suggestion was unanimously approved and the child was formally named Vardhaman. (M-8)
Fearless Vardhaman
One day Shakrendra, while talking in the assembly of gods, stated, “There is no person more brave, courageous and strong
than Prince Vardhaman”. Praising an eight-year-old boy’s bravery in the assembly of gods was a strange thing. A skeptic
jokingly said Shakrendra was exaggerating. And he proceeded to test prince Vardhaman.
Amar Muni - Tirthankar Charitra - Surana # 33
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