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79
LIFE OF MAHÁVÍRA.
uncleanness incident to the mother on the birth of a son; and accordingly, on the twelfth day, all kinds of articles for eating and drinking, along with sweetmeats and digestives, were prepared for friends, relatives, fathers and mothers-in-law, dependants, and multitudes of the Kshatriya caste, who were invited to the feast. Trisalá, therefore, having bathed, and worshipped the inferior gods, and performed those ceremonies required to prevent misfortune; clothed the child in pure, auspicious, fine, light, valuable raiment, and adorned it with jewels; she then gave it rice to eat, and put it into an easy cradle. After which, the abovementioned parties sat down to enjoy the feast prepared for them. After dinner was finished, and the mouth ablution was performed, and the place made perfectly clean;-the guests were adorned with flowers, and garlands, and scented robes, and jewels, when the noble Siddhártha thus addressed them :-"O beloved of the gods, shortly after the time of my child's conception, on account of the increase that took place in my treasures, and every thing relating to the kingdom, I resolved, that as soon as the child was born, he should be called Vardhamána (The Increaser)-the desire of my heart having been accomplished, I now impose upon him that name. He also is called Sramana, Bhagavan, Mahávíra (The Ascetic, Adorable, Hero). The name Sramana is given because he is devoid
