Marudevi
Mother of Rishabhanatha
Marudevi
Image of king Nabhi and mother Marudevi in Khajuraho museum, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
Other namesMata Marudevi
Personal information
SpouseNabhi
ChildrenRishabhanatha
Nabhi and Marudevi, Kalpasutra, Wellcome Collection, London

Marudevī was the mother of the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha and the queen of King Nabhi.[1]

Birth of Rishabhanatha

Statuary depicting Mother Marudevi with infant Rishabhanatha
Auspicious dreams as an ornamentation on cover of 19th-century manuscript

The enlivening of the embryo through the descent of the future Tīrthankara's soul in the mortal body is celebrated as Garbha Kalyānaka[2] At this time, Queen Marudevi dreamt sixteen auspicious dreams. King Nabhirāja (who was said to be endowed with clairvoyance) explained the significance of these dreams in the morning.[3]

Dreams

(According to Digambara traditions)

 Interpretation by Nābhirāja (He refers to Rishabhanatha)
1. A white mighty elephant the sound of whose voice was like thunder and whose trunk was moist with temple-fluid.He will be the preceptor of the preceptors, to be worshiped by the devas.
2. A magnificent bull, whiter than the petals of the lotus and having a beautiful form.The dream foretold the birth of a great religious Teacher who would spread the light of knowledge.
3. A ferocious, white lion possessing immense strength and with thick cluster of hairs on the neck.He will be strong as the lion, in overcoming all enemies.
4. Goddess Lakshmi’s anointment (abhiśeka) with water out of golden pitchers, by two large guardian elephants.He will be the Supreme Being in the three worlds and that the devas will perform his abhiśeka at Mount Meru.
5. Two garlands of fragrant flowers over which were hovering black bees intoxicated with the fragrance.He will be the Founder of true Faith whose fragrance will spread all-around
6. Full moon surrounded by stars.He will bring soothing peace and happiness to all beings
7. Sight of the radiant, rising sun in the east, obscuring the lustre of all other lights.He will dispel the darkness of ignorance
8. The eighth dream saw two fishes playing gloriously in a lovely pool of water, full of lotuses.He will bring propitious outcomes for all living beings.
9. She saw two golden pitchers with lotuses on the top.He will possess the treasure of superior qualities, including excellent meditation.
10. She saw an effulgent lake filled with water shining like liquid gold due to the floating remains of yellow lotus leavesHe will have the most auspicious form and body.
11. She saw an ocean whose strong waves were breaking into small white sprays.He will attain superior nine accomplishments (navalabdhi) and omniscience.
12. She then saw a very big, resplendent, golden throne set with bright diamonds and rubies.He will become the World Teacher
13. The thirteenth dream was the sight of a jewel-bedecked heavenly plane of the devas which shone like the morning sun.He will descend from the heaven to take birth on this earth.
14. The next dream was the rising residence of Nāgendra, the lord of the devas of the Nāgakumāra clan.He will be born with clairvoyance
15. A very large heap of glittering jewels whose brightness illuminated the sky.He will be the embodiment of Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct.
16. The last dream was the sight of a blazing, bright fire with smokeless flame.He will burn up the entire karmas associated with His soul with the fire of pure meditation.

After these sixteen dreams she saw a large, beautiful bull entering her open mouth, indicative of a pious and extraordinary soul entering her womb.[4]

In literature

Marudevi is mentioned in the Hindu scripture Bhagavata Purana as mother of Rishabhanatha.[5]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marudevi.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Jain 2008, p. 55.
  2. ↑ Zimmer 1953, p. 195.
  3. ↑ Jain 2008, p. 56.
  4. ↑ Jain 2015, p. 179.
  5. ↑ Doniger 1993, p. 243.

Sources

  • Doniger, Wendy, ed. (1993), Purana Perennis: Reciprocity and Transformation in Hindu and Jaina Texts, State University of New York Press, ISBN 0-7914-1381-0
  • Jain, Vijay K. (2015), Acarya Samantabhadra's Svayambhustotra: Adoration of The Twenty-four Tirthankara, Vikalp Printers, ISBN 9788190363976, archived from the original on 16 September 2015, Non-Copyright
  • Jain, Champat Rai (2008), Risabha Deva (Second ed.), India: Bhagwan Rishabhdeo Granth Mala, ISBN 9788177720228
  • Zimmer, Heinrich (1953), Joseph Campbell (ed.), Philosophies Of India, London: Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd, ISBN 978-8120807396
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