Trishala

Trishala is a prominent figure in Jainism, revered as the mother of Lord Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara. Her life story is primarily found in Jain religious texts, particularly the Kalpa Sutra and the Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Charitra, a Sanskrit text by Acharya Hemachandra.

Born into a royal family, Trishala was the sister of King Chetaka of Vaishali, a powerful ruler of the Lichchavi dynasty. She was married to Siddhartha, a Kshatriya prince of Kundalagrama. According to Jain tradition, Trishala had fourteen auspicious dreams before the conception of Mahavira. These dreams were interpreted by learned Brahmins as foretelling the birth of a great soul, a Tirthankara.

The pregnancy and birth of Mahavira are described as divine events. Trishala experienced great spiritual bliss and was protected by celestial beings during this period. After the birth of her son, she played a significant role in his upbringing and early life. The narratives emphasize her devotion, piety, and the profound spiritual aura that surrounded her family. Trishala is venerated by Jains as a symbol of motherhood, virtue, and the divine lineage of Tirthankaras. Her role in the life of Lord Mahavira makes her a central figure in Jain hagiography and devotion.