Queen Trishala, Mahavira's mother has 14 auspicious dreams. Folio 4 from Kalpasutra
Auspicious dreams are often described in texts of Jainism which forecast the virtue of children. Their number varies according to different traditions and they described frequently as fourteen or sixteen dreams.[1] They are seen by mothers of the prominent figures in Jainism including Tirthankaras, on the conception of their soul in the womb. They are interpreted as describing virtues and kingship of a future child. They are also found in various artistic media as an ornamentation.
Dreams
Their number and description differ according to major traditions of Jainism. According to Digambara tradition, there are 16 dreams while according to Śvetāmbara tradition, there are 14 dreams. Most of them are same. They are described in detail as dreams of queen Trishala, mother of Mahavira, in some Jain texts.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
White elephant with four tusks, similar to the elephant of the god Indra
Mother would give birth to a child with good character. The four tusk of elephant depicts the four components of Sangha: monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen.
2
2
Vrishabha
Bull
The dream foretold the birth of a great religious Teacher who would spread the light of knowledge.[8]
3
3
Simha
Lion
Power, strength and fearlessness. The child will be strong as the lion, in overcoming all enemies.
Angels in heaven would respect, honor his spiritual teachings
14
-
Palace
The rising residence of Nāgendra, the lord of the devas of the Nāgakumāra clan[8]
Child will be born with clairvoyance
15
13
Ratnadhag
Heap of jewels
Virtues and wisdom
16
14
Nirdhumra Agni
Smokeless fire
Reform and restoration of religious order. He would burn his karmas and attain salvation.
These dreams features animals, objects and a goddess associated with positive virtues and kingship. They are generally considered positive symbols in Indian culture so they frequently appear in other Indian religions like Buddhism and Hinduism.[1]
Importance
Auspicious 14 dreams seen by a tirthankara's mother during pregnancy as an ornamentation on cover of 19th-century manuscript
In texts
These dreams are connected with the births of Tirthankaras and the other prominent people including Chakravarti, Balabhadra/Baladeva and Vāsudeva in Jainism. They are 63 in total and called Shalakapurusha. Their mothers see a certain number of dreams on conception of their soul in womb. They are described in the great detail in Kalpasutra.[1][7] 12th century Jain monk Hemchandracharya described and interpreted them in detail in Trishashthishalakapurush. Avashyak-niryukti, an early verse-commentary in Prakrit, explains relation of names of some Tirthankaras and these dreams.[1]
Foretelling as per Kalpasutra
Number of dreams
What it foretells
14 dreams
birth of a future Tirthankara or Chakravarti (universal monarch)
7 of the 14 dreams
birth of a future Vāsudeva
4 of the 14 dreams
birth of a future Baladeva/Balabhadra
1 of the 14 dreams
birth of a future Mandalika (king)
Festivals
On the fifth day of festival of Paryusana, Jain monks read or narrate the portion of the Kalpasutra dealing with birth of last Tirthankara Mahavira, to the Jain lay people. They are displayed to the people in the form of silver models and auctioned for temporary possession and display to other people for festive days.[1]
Other
These dreams are symbolised and found in artistic media like paintings in manuscripts and on its covers, books, ornamentation in stone carvings, invitation scrolls and temple furnitures.[1][3]
References
^ abcdefgBalbir, Nalini (29 October 2020). "Article: Dreams". Institute of Jainology. jainpedia.org. pp. 1–4.
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