The Birth of Siddhartha!

They will tell you that Maya Devi—the goddess Maya, as she

became known—arrived by moonlight in Lumbini Grove, one of

the most sacred sites in the kingdom. They will tell you that she

did not give birth in the forest by accident. Destiny guided her

there. She expressly wanted to visit the sacred grove because a

huge tree stood there like a pillar to the mother goddess. Maya’s

premonition had told her that this birth would be sacred.

In reality she was a frightened, fragile young woman who

barely escaped being lost in the wilderness. And the sacred tree?

Maya clung to the trunk of a large sal tree because it was the closest

and most common tree in the clearing. Balgangadhar had

found a sheltered place beside the trail, and the royal palanquin

arrived there only moments before Maya went into the final

stages of labor. The court ladies formed a close circle around her.

She held on tight, and deep in the night she was delivered of the

son her husband the king so desperately wanted.

The younger court ladies were full of praise for the brave new mother,

relieved that the ordeal had come to an end, buoyant

at the prospect of returning home to their soft beds and paramours.

Their happiness increased when the full moon, an auspicious omen, rose over the treetops.

“Here, Your Highness,” said Utpatti, one of the handmaidens,

leaning close. “There is something you must do.”

Before anyone could stop her, Utpatti opened Maya’s robe and

exposed her breasts. Embarrassed and confused, Maya quickly

pulled her robe together again with one hand.

“What are you doing?” she demanded.

Utpatti drew back. “It will help with the milk, Your Highness,”

she whispered, looking unsure of herself. She gave sidelong

glances at the other women. “Having moonlight on your breasts.

Country women all know that.”

“Are you from the country?” Maya asked.

The others tittered. Making a show of not being bothered by

them, Utpatti said, “Once.”

Maya leaned back again and exposed her full breasts to the

moon. They were heavy with milk already.

“I feel something,” she murmured. Her mood had changed;

A note of ecstasy was in her voice, clearing away the pain.

If she wasn’t a goddess herself, she exulted in being touched by a goddess,

the moon. She took her infant and held him up.

“See how quiet he is now? He feels it too.” At that moment

Maya believed in her heart that her wishes had been fulfilled.

There is a name in Sanskrit that expresses this idea. She lifted the baby higher.

“Siddhartha,” she said. He who has attained all desires.

Recognizing the solemnity of the moment, the court ladies bowed their heads,

even the ever-wary Kumbira.

*excerpts from the book, BUDDHA – A story of enlightenment!