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Auspicious dreams in Jainism

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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 Svetambara 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]

Auspicious dreams
No.
Digambara		 No.
Svetambara 		Name Image Dream Interpretation
1 1 Airavata Airavata 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 Vrishabha Bull The dream foretold the birth of a great religious Teacher who would spread the light of knowledge.[8]
3 3 Simha Sinha Lion Power, strength and fearlessness. The child will be strong as the lion, in overcoming all enemies.
4 4 Lakshmi Laxmi The goddess of wealth, Lakshmi or Shri Wealth and prosperity
5 5 Phul-mala Phulmala Pair of garlands Popularity and respect
6 6 Chandra Purnima Chandra Moon Peace and help to others
7 7 Surya Surya Sun Supreme knowledge
- 8 Dhvaja Dhvaja Flag with lion pictured on it flying on golden stick Leadership
8 - Meena-yugma Meenyugma Pair of fishes Handsomeness
9 9 Purna Kalasha Purna Kalasha Full jug / pair of full vases with lotuses Perfect in virtues and would be full of compassion for all living beings. The kalasha is considered auspicious in Dharmic religions.
10 10 Padma Sarovar Padma Sarovar Lotus pond / celestial lake Detachment from worldly possessions
11 11 Ratnakar Ratnakar Ocean / rough ocean Achievement of infinite perception and knowledge, spiritual liberation
12 12 Simhasana Sinhasana Large, resplendent, golden throne set with bright diamonds and rubies Son will become the World Teacher[8]
13 12 Deva-Vimana Dev Vimana Celestial cheriot palace Angels in heaven would respect, honor his spiritual teachings
14 - Palace 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 Ratnadhag Heap of jewels Virtues and wisdom
16 14 Nirdhumra Agni 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

Sixteen Auspicious Dreams in Jainism

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

Aspicious dreams as an ornamentation on cover of 19th-century manuscript

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

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Balbir, Nalini. "Article: Dreams". Institute of Jainology. jainpedia.org. pp. 1–4.
  2. ^ Shah, Pravin. "Fourteen Auspicious Dreams of Mother Trishala". Jain Study Center of North Carolina. www.fas.harvard.edu.
  3. ^ a b Natubhai Shah 1998, p. 180.
  4. ^ Quinn 2009, p. 270.
  5. ^ Jain & Fischer 1978, pp. 4–6.
  6. ^ Pruthi 2004, pp. 62–66.
  7. ^ a b "The Dreams of Queen Trishala". www.herenow4u.net. 22 September 2010.
  8. ^ a b c Vijay K. Jain 2015, pp. 178–179.

Sources

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