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. They are seen by mothers of the prominent figures in Jainism including Tirthankaras, on the conception of their soul in 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.| No. Digambara | No. Svetambara | Image | Dream | Interpretation | Notes |
| 1 | 1 | white elephant with four tusks / Airavata | 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. | similar to the elephant of Indra | |
| 2 | 2 | bull | The dream foretold the birth of a great religious Teacher who would spread the light of knowledge. | - | |
| 3 | 3 | Lion | power, strength and fearlessness | He will be strong as the lion, in overcoming all enemies. - | |
| 4 | 4 | Shri or Laxmi | wealth and prosperity | - | |
| 5 | 5 | pair of garlands | popularity and respect | - | |
| 6 | 6 | full moon | peace and help to others | - | |
| 7 | 7 | sun | supreme knowledge | - | |
| - | 8 | flag with lion pictured on it flying on golden stick | leadership | - | |
| 8 | - | pair of fishes | handsomeness | - | |
| 9 | 9 | full jug / pair of full vases with lotuses | perfect in virtues and would be full of compassion for all living beings. | considered auspicious in Dharmic religions | |
| 10 | 10 | lotus pond / celestial lake | unattachment to worldly possessions | - | |
| 11 | 11 | ocean / rough ocean | achievement of infinite perception and knowledge, spiritual liberation | - | |
| 16 | 12 | A very big, resplendent, golden throne set with bright diamonds and rubies. | Son will become the World Teacher | - | |
| 13 | 12 | celestial cheriot palace | indicated that angels in heaven would respect, honor his spiritual teachings | - | |
| 14 | - | The rising residence of Nāgendra, the lord of the devas of the Nāgakumāra clan. | Child will be born with clairvoyance | - | |
| 15 | 13 | heap of jewels | virtues and wisdom | - | |
| 16 | 14 | smokeless fire | reform and restore 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.
Importance
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. 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.| Number of dreams | What it foretells |
| 14 dreams | birth of a future Tirthankara or Chakravarti |
| 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 |