Auspicious dreams in Jainism

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.

Queen Trishala, Mahavira's mother has 14 auspicious dreams. Folio 4 from Kalpasutra

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		 NameImageDreamInterpretation
11 AiravataAiravataWhite elephant with four tusks, similar to the elephant of the god IndraMother 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.
22 VrishabhaVrishabhaBullThe dream foretold the birth of a great religious Teacher who would spread the light of knowledge.[8]
33 SimhaSinhaLionPower, strength and fearlessness. The child will be strong as the lion, in overcoming all enemies.
44 LakshmiLaxmiThe goddess of wealth, Lakshmi or ShriWealth and prosperity
55 Phul-malaPhulmalaPair of garlandsPopularity and respect
66 ChandraPurnima ChandraMoonPeace and help to others
77 SuryaSuryaSunSupreme knowledge
-8 DhvajaDhvajaFlag with lion pictured on it flying on golden stickLeadership
8- Meena-yugmaMeenyugmaPair of fishesHandsomeness
99 Purna KalashaPurna KalashaFull jug / pair of full vases with lotusesPerfect in virtues and would be full of compassion for all living beings. The kalasha is considered auspicious in Dharmic religions.
1010 Padma SarovarPadma SarovarLotus pond / celestial lakeDetachment from worldly possessions
1111 RatnakarRatnakarOcean / rough oceanAchievement of infinite perception and knowledge, spiritual liberation
1212 SimhasanaSinhasanaLarge, resplendent, golden throne set with bright diamonds and rubiesSon will become the World Teacher[8]
1312 Deva-VimanaDev VimanaCelestial cheriot palaceAngels in heaven would respect, honor his spiritual teachings
14- PalacePalaceThe rising residence of Nāgendra, the lord of the devas of the Nāgakumāra clan[8]Child will be born with clairvoyance
1513 RatnadhagRatnadhagHeap of jewelsVirtues and wisdom
1614 Nirdhumra AgniNirdhumra AgniSmokeless fireReform 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 dreamsWhat it foretells
14 dreamsbirth of a future Tirthankara or Chakravarti (universal monarch)
7 of the 14 dreamsbirth of a future Vāsudeva
4 of the 14 dreamsbirth of a future Baladeva/Balabhadra
1 of the 14 dreamsbirth 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. Balbir, Nalini (29 October 2020). "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. Natubhai Shah 1998, p. 180.
  4. Quinn 2009, p. 270.
  5. Jain & Fischer 1978, pp. 4–6.
  6. Pruthi 2004, pp. 62–66.
  7. "The Dreams of Queen Trishala". www.herenow4u.net. 22 September 2010.
  8. Vijay K. Jain 2015, pp. 178–179.

Sources
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