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The great Dreams
Once after some deep and exhausting spiritual practice Bhagavan Mahavir was extremely tired. The exhaustion resulted in
a slumber for a few moments during the last hour of the night and Mahavir saw ten strange dreams.
The ten scenes of Mahavir’s dream and the interpretations of Utpal are as follows-
1. Scene: Defeating a Tal Demon.
Int.: You will soon destroy the Mohaniya Karma (illusory Karma).
2. Scene: A bird with white feathers is in attendance.
Int.: You will always have purest attitude or feelings.
3. Scene: A bird with multicolored attitude or feelings.
Int.: You will propagate multifaceted knowledge through the twelve Angas (canons).
4. Scene: Two gem strings appear in front.
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Int.: Utpal could not understand the forth scene. On his inquiry Mahavir explained... I will preach two way religions... the
conduct of ascetics and the conduct of laity.
5. Scene: A herd of white cows is in front.
Int.: The four pronged organizations (Shraman, Shramani, Shravak, and Shravika) will serve you.
6. Scene: A pond with open lotuses.
Int.: Gods from four dimensions will serve you.
7. Scene: Crossed wavy ocean swimming.
Int.: You will cross the ocean of rebirths.
8. Scene: Sunrays are spreading in all directions.
Int.: Soon you will get enlightenment or omniscience.
9. Scene: You are encircling the Manushottar mountain with your bluish intestines.
Int.: You will pervade the universe with your pure glory.
10. Scene: You are sitting on a throne placed on the summit of the mountain Meru.
Int.: You will give religious discourse sitting on a high throne. (M-26).
KEWALI CHARYA
The Light of Omniscience
Observing the details of Bhagavan Mahavir’s twelve-year period of spiritual practices it becomes evident that his practices
combined four qualities-1. Deep and undisturbed meditation, 2. Rigorous penance, 3. Extreme tolerance of pain, and 4.
Ultimate equanimity.
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It was the tenth day of the bright half of the month of Vaishakh. Twelve years five months and fifteen days had passed since
the beginning of Mahavir’s spiritual practices. Prabhu Mahavir sat in meditation under a Saal tree in a garden on the bank of
Rijubaluka River. Sitting on both feet with knees touching his chest, he was feeling calm even in the scorching summer sun.
Focusing all his physical, mental and spiritual energies he was engrossed in deep and pure meditation. Gradually the sun
was setting in the west and within the soul of Bhagavan Mahavir the sun of omniscience was rising. As soon as he dark
clouds of four deeply binding Karmas scattered, the all-enlightening sun of omniscience dawned. The physical world was
being enveloped by the darkness of night but the spiritual world was being filled with the light of infinite rays of knowledge.
The endeavor had reached the summit of success and attained the goal. Mahavir had become Bhagavan (God), Jina
(Victor), Sarvajna (all knowing), and Sarvadarshi (all perceiving). As soon as he became omniscient a soothing light spread
in the three worlds for a few sounds. The living world was filled with a strange feeling of hitherto unknown bliss. (M-27/1)
The first Discourse
After a twelve and a half year long period of extreme spiritual practices Shraman Vardhaman acquired the ultimate perception
(Kewal Darshan), and ultimate knowledge (Kewal Jnan or omniscience). To greet and eulogize the first ray of the divine sun
of Mahavir’s infinite knowledge, innumerable gods and goddesses from heavens landed on the earth. Doing Vandana of
Prabhu Mahavir they celebrated the ultimate attainment (Kaivalya).
Traditionally a Tirthankar preaches the religion of equanimity (Ahimsa) immediately after his gaining omniscience. To take
advantage of the first divine discourse of Mahavir the gods created the divine pavilion (Samavasaran) on the pious banks of
Rijubaluka River. Numerous gods were engrossed in listening the discourse (M-27/2)
The gods may admire and eulogize truth; discipline and virtues but they cannot do spiritual practices by taking vows. Only
man is capable of entering the discipline of spiritual practices. As such, it is said that in absence of human being the first
discourse of Bhagavan Mahavir was a failure in context of spiritual gains as none of that present took any vow.
Amar Muni - Tirthankar Charitra - Surana # 43
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